China & Mongolia Railway Adventure





Travel along the Trans-Mongolian Railway on a truly vast adventure
Want an epic rail journey that takes you to some of the world’s most iconic and remote regions? This 18-day adventure might just be for you! Traverse northern China from Shanghai to Beijing on the bullet train, connecting the most iconic highlights in the country, riding a section of the Trans-Mongolian Railway as you make your way from China to Mongolia. This trip combines neon cities, ancient capitals, world wonders, Mongolian steppes and the Gobi Desert into one punchy rail journey. Watch an epic sunset up the Great Wall, spend time staying in a traditional ger campsite, join a family of camel herders for lunch and return home with truly unique travel stories to tell!
4.3
3 reviewsStart: Shanghai, China
End: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
- Duration
- 18 days
- Group size
- 1 to 16
- Minimum age
- 15 years old
- Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time
Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time
Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities
Premium: Our best accommodation, exclusive inclusions and our most experienced leaders
- Original
- Theme
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
- Explorer, Rail
- Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Why you'll love this trip
- Travel along a section of the epic Trans-Mongolian Railway through Mongolia, following the ancient path of tea caravans. Combine this experience with a modern bullet train journey from Shanghai to Beijing and you’ve got rail adventure covered!
- Check out the most iconic highlights in China – See the Terracotta Warriors and The Great Wall of China (one of the Seven Wonders of the World), where you can watch an epic sunset.
- Explore China’s Inner Mongolia region and its iconic vast rolling grasslands, sandy deserts and dunes, and an otherworldly stone forest.
- Whisper your wishes at Sainshand’s Mountain of Wishes, then learn about the nomadic way of life as you join a camel herding family for lunch.
- Spend a full day seeing Khustai National Park, staying in traditional gers and spotting free roaming wild horses, golden eagles and more.
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025
Itinerary
Ni Hao! Welcome to China. Your adventure begins in Shanghai with a welcome meeting at 4 pm. If you arrive early, there is much to see and do in this bustling city. Blending 21st-century architecture with old-world character, Shanghai pulses with the beat of new China. After your meeting, you’ll head out for a leader-led walking tour on the bund – the perfect spot to see the nighttime skyline light up when the sun descends. Tonight, why not get a taste of Shanghai’s eclectic food scene, grab your group and ask your leader for the best recommendations for dinner.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Shanghai - Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Centre (entrance fee) - CNY25
- Shanghai - Yuyuan Garden (entrance fee) - CNY40
- Shanghai - Shanghai Museum (entrance fee) - Free
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
Get ready for your first bullet train experience this morning. A half-hour train ride will take you to Wuxi – once a prominent water town and now a booming city. Follow your leader on a walking tour through the Huishan Ancient Town Scenic Area and explore the cultural relics, historic sites and Xihui scenic area full of gorgeous gardens. Wander through the Huishan historic and cultural streets almost like travelling back in time. Take some epic snaps, learn about the traditional life here and then visit the Jichang Garden – one of the finest examples of traditional Chinese gardens, listed as a protected national heritage site in 1998. Head back to Shanghai in the afternoon. The evening is yours to enjoy at your own pace – why not grab a drink in one of the rooftop bars in Shanghai and look out over the bund.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Wuxi - Huishan Ancient Town
- Wuxi - Jichang Garden
Please note that Jichang Garden will be closed for renovation in November and December in 2024. You will visit Huishan Temple and No.2 Spring Garden in Huishan Ancient Town instead.
Hop on the bullet train to Xi’an this morning – the capital of Shaanxi Province and the largest city in northwest China. Once the imperial centre and start of the Silk Road, Xi'an is now a vibrant, modern city dotted with many historical sites and a great place to explore. When you arrive, join your leader on a walking tour, passing the iconic Bell and Drum Towers – according to legend, the Bell Tower was built to restrain the pesky dragons that were causing devastating earthquakes. See the Muslim Quarter and wander past the shops, markets, and the Great Mosque. Sample some street snacks from local carts and see why this area is known for its food! For dinner tonight, maybe try some tantalising local specialties such as pao mo (lamb broth with flat bread), hand-pulled noodles and meat skewers.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Xi'an - Muslim Quarter Walking Tour and Snack Sampling
- Xi'an - Great Mosque (entrance fee) - CNY25
- Xi'an - Bell & Drum Towers (entrance fee) - CNY50
- Xi'an - City Wall bike hire - CNY45
Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.
Today, you’ll journey outside Xi’an and visit what is undoubtedly one of the man-made wonders of the world – the Terracotta Warriors. Learn about this incredible archaeological find, discovered after being buried for 2000 years, and take your time getting to know the 1000 warriors (each individually sculpted, with a different costume, height and facial expression). These clay statues depicting soldiers, horses and chariots were commissioned by the emperor Qin Shi Huangdi as part of his mausoleum after he ascended to the throne in 264 BC. Later, return to Xi’an and enjoy a free evening at leisure. Why not head to the Tang Paradise walking street near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda – this is an eclectic part of the city, full of light and sound and perfect for some local nightlife.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Xi'an - Terracotta Warriors Tour - leader led
- Xi'an - Tang Dynasty Show - CNY290
- Xi'an - Big Goose Pagoda (entrance fee) - CNY80
- Xi'an - Little Wild Goose Pagoda - CNY50
Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours each way.
Today is a big day of travelling, so grab some snacks and a good book for the journey. You’ll transfer to the railway station, then board the high-speed train to Beijing. Watch the landscape change from farmland and villages to industrialised cities and take the opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers along the way. When you arrive in Beijing, board a private vehicle and drive into the countryside, where you’ll spend the night in a family-run guesthouse right inside the scenic area near the Great Wall of China! Tonight it’s highly recommended that you go for a short hike to the Wall for an unforgettable sunset. You’ve made it to one of the Seven Wonders of the World!
- Guest house (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Great Wall - Sunset
Your travel time today will be approximately 9 hours including the high-speed train to Beijing and the private transfer to Great Wall guesthouse.
Your guesthouse tonight is relatively basic compared to the hotels you’ll stay in on this trip, though all rooms have private facilities and Wi-Fi is available. In winter, (November to February) accommodation may be in an alternate guesthouse with better heating. In this case, you may not be able to see the sunset on the Great Wall.
Today is an exciting day as you’ll visit a section of the Great Wall of China – an ancient wonder of the world and this country’s iconic site. Spend some time exploring, take plenty of photos and learn the history of this mighty landmark. An incredible piece of engineering, the wall stretches 6000 km west of Beijing. It was initially constructed to protect Chinese empires from invaders from the north. Even though it failed, it's still one of the country's most remarkable achievements and an iconic destination. Hike along the top of the Wall for about 2 hours, along a section less visited by tourists and one of the most original section of the Wall - don't be surprised if you even feel you are the only ones on the Wall. Take in the scenery of the structure snaking through the hills almost endlessly into the distance. After, say goodbye to the epic site and head for Beijing – the capital and last stop of your trip.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Great Wall - Jinshanling section
Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.
There are many steps and slopes on the Wall, so you'll need to concentrate hard to keep your footing. For this activity, you'll need reasonable fitness and walking shoes with good support and grip.
There's an option to take a chairlift up the hill to get on the wall. You may choose to do this at your own expense but please be aware that you may be separate from the group in this case. The chairlift will close during winter (November to March) and may occasionally close on days when the weather condition is not suitable.
Make your way to the centre of Beijing this morning and explore Tiananmen Square – supposedly the largest downtown square in the world and the symbolic centre of Chinese power. Framed by the Gate of Heavenly Peace, Mao's Mausoleum and the Great Hall of the People, it's a place of pilgrimage for Chinese tourists who consider it to be the heart of their nation. It's from here that you'll enter the enormous Forbidden City, which was built more than 500 years ago and has been off-limits to commoners for almost all that time. You’ll explore the halls and courtyards and witness the grandeur of the Imperial Chinese court during the Ming and Qing dynasties. In the afternoon, enjoy some free time to explore on your own. Maybe check out the Temple of Heaven before getting together with your fellow travellers for a farewell dinner. There's no better way to celebrate the end of your journey than with a meal of Beijing duck (and maybe a drink or two).
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Beijing - Forbidden City
- Beijing - Tiananmen Square
- Beijing - Temple of Heaven (entrance fee) - CNY40
- Beijing - Hutong family visit - CNY150
- Beijing - Lama Temple (entrance fee) - CNY25
- Beijing - Acrobat show (ticket) - CNY290
The Forbidden City only allows 30,000 visitors per day. Tickets are in demand year-round, but particularly during July and August. Our local team will do their best to secure entrance tickets. In the odd case when tickets are not available, you will visit the Temple of Heaven instead, another must-see example of ancient architecture in Beijing.
Tiananmen Square can occasionally close without notice due to local events and ceremonies, especially in March when the National Congress Conference is held.
Today is a free day in Beijing, until your next welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, where you’ll meet your new travel companions joining you. After, why not get your group together for an optional dinner to get to know each other, maybe finding one of the best Beijing duck restaurants in the city. Your group leader will definitely know of some wonderful places where you can eat this delicious speciality!
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
As this trip is a combination of shorter itineraries, the travellers in your group and your group leader are likely to change today. You may occasionally need to change to a different hotel in Beijing today to start the second part of your trip. Your tour leader will inform you if this happens.
Bid farewell to Beijing and hop on a bullet train to the Inner Mongolian city of Chifeng. Stop for lunch with your group, and then learn about the area’s mix of steppe and Mongolian culture with a visit to the Chifeng Museum. Afterwards, take a private transfer to the town of Reshui, which will be your gateway to the vast grasslands of Inner Mongolia. Settle into your accommodation, and rest up for a full day of exploring tomorrow!
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Chifeng - Chifeng Museum
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
Rise in Reshui, then head out to the Huanggangliang National Forest Park. Located in the remnants of the Greater Xing’an Mountains, it’s home to Huanggang Peak which stands at an altitude of 2029 m. There are glacial and U-shaped valleys to explore, and the journey itself will be made special by the abundant flowers and endless grasslands. After lunch, you’ll visit Asihatu Stone Forest. Over 2 million years of wind and rain have contributed to make the rare stone formations! To finish the day, you’ll get the chance to see the Gongge'er Grasslands. It’s quite the sight, with rivers lazily weaving through and wild deer roaming. If you’re into your photography, this is the place to be!
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Inner Mongolia - Huanggangliang National Forest Park
- Inner Mongolia - Asihatu Stone Forest
- Inner Mongolia - Gongge'er Grasslands
This morning, drive to Hunshandake Sandy Land, located at the southern end of the Xilingol Grassland in central Inner Mongolia. It’s a famous water desert in China, where spring water emerges from the sandy land and gathers into small rivers and lakes. In the heart of the Hunshandake you’ll visit Ulihan Desert Campsite. The lakes and grasslands will provide a scenic backdrop for a BBQ lunch. After, you’ll visit Dali Lake, one of the four famous lakes in Inner Mongolia, and then head to Xilinhot for the night.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Inner Mongolia - Hunshandake Sandy Land
Get set for a day of travel. After breakfast, drive from Xilinhot to Erlian, arriving around midday. Stop for lunch and meet your new leader for the Mongolian portion of your journey, then head to the train station late afternoon and hop on board the Trans-Mongolian Railway line headed to Sainshand. Stop in Zamiin-Uud along the way for a border crossing. Arrive after midnight and head straight to your hotel in Sainshand for some well-deserved rest.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
Today is a long travel day and patience is required, especially for the border crossing and immigration procedures.
Your travel time today from Xilinhot to Erlian will be approximately 6.5 hours, and your train ride from Erlian to Sainshand will be approximately 11 hours (including your stop at the China/Mongolia border). Sleeper carriages are used on the train journey to allow more space to rest.
Take in the sights and sounds of Sainshand on a walking tour this morning. Visit a museum dedicated to the Noyon Khutagt, the Lama of the Gobi. A writer, composer, painter, Buddhist scholar and physician, the museum displays Buddhist artifacts that survived the period of the Mongolian People's Republic. Afterwards, a short drive will take you to Khamriin Monastery, which was founded by Noyon Khutagt on this site due to the spiritual energy radiating from the Gobi Desert. To the north of the monastery lie a series of caves where monks practiced high levels of meditation for 108 continuous days. Enjoy a short hike around the area to visit these caves, as well as the energy centre known as Mongolian Shambala. Return to Sainshand, and then spend the evening as you like!
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Sainshand - Noyon Khutagt Museum
- Sainshand - Khamriin Monastery, Caves & Mongolian Shambala
After breakfast, drive to the Mountain of Wishes – named thanks to the belief that if you climb to the top and whisper a wish, it’ll come true. You’ll get the chance to do exactly that, using the stairs to enjoy the view over the valley and making a wish or two. Then, get an insight into local ways of life as you visit a family of camel herders. Hear stories about the nomadic way of life over a traditional, home-cooked lunch with the family. Later, return to Sainshand then board an overnight train headed to Ulaanbaatar.
- Overnight Train (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Sainshand - Mountain of Wishes
- Sainshand - Camel Herder Family Visit & Traditional Home-cooked Lunch
Arrive into Mongolia’s capital city around 7 am this morning, and get set for the day with an optional breakfast at a local cafe. Ulaanbaatar’s a fascinating town, where elderly Mongolians in traditional dress mingle with the nation's young business elite. Drive to the imposing Chinggis Khaan Statue, a 40 m high stainless-steel statue honouring the founder of the Mongolian Empire. You can take the steps to the horse’s mane for views over the valley, then visit a small museum located in the statue’s base. For lunch, drive to Nalaikh town for a meal at a monastery cafe, then continue on to Khustai National Park. Settle into your ger camp accommodation for a very special slice of traditional life!
- Tourist ger camp (1 night)
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Ulaanbaatar - Chinggis Khaan Statue
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
For the next two nights, you will be staying at a ger camp. Accommodation is twin share with bedding provided, and the shared bathroom and toilet facilities are in a separate building. Shower units have installed water heaters, but the water pressure may not be what you would expect in urban areas.
After breakfast at camp, embark on a hike to see the wildlife of the national park. Wild horses running free will be quite a sight to behold, and keep an eye on the sky for Golden Eagles, falcons and vultures. Once you’ve finished your trail, drive on to the Ungut Monument. The collection of 30 human-shaped stone monuments traces back to the 7th century. Thought to be an offering site, it makes for a thought-provoking stop! Then, drive back to your camp at Khustai National Park and enjoy a free evening.
- Tourist ger camp (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Khustai National Park - Leader-led Hike
- Khustai National Park - Ungut Stone Monuments
Drive back to Ulaanbaatar this morning. Your leader will take you on a final orientation walk through the city’s central square, then stop in for an optional lunch at a cafe. In the afternoon there might be the chance to shop for some local handicrafts such as cashmere and felt products, or to check out some more of the city's sights and museums. Tonight you can celebrate your journey to Mongolia by witnessing a special cultural performance featuring throat singing and traditional dancing (optional). There will be an optional final dinner at a local restaurant recommended by your leader.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
Say 'bayartai' to your group as your adventure draws to a close. There are no activities planned for the day, and you're free to depart the hotel at any time. If you'd like to stay longer in UB, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
There are no meals included on this day.
Inclusions and activities
10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 2 dinners
Train, Overnight train, Private vehicle, Metro
Hotel (13 nights), Guesthosue (1 night), Overnight train (1 night), Tourist ger camp (2 nights)
- Wuxi - Huishan Ancient Town
- Wuxi - Jichang Garden
- Xi'an - Muslim Quarter Walking Tour and Snack Sampling
- Xi'an - Terracotta Warriors Tour - leader led
- Great Wall - Sunset
- Great Wall - Jinshanling section
- Beijing - Forbidden City
- Beijing - Tiananmen Square
- Chifeng - Chifeng Museum
- Inner Mongolia - Huanggangliang National Forest Park
- Inner Mongolia - Asihatu Stone Forest
- Inner Mongolia - Gongge'er Grasslands
- Inner Mongolia - Hunshandake Sandy Land
- Sainshand - Noyon Khutagt Museum
- Sainshand - Khamriin Monastery, Caves & Mongolian Shambala
- Sainshand - Mountain of Wishes
- Sainshand - Camel Herder Family Visit & Traditional Home-cooked Lunch
- Ulaanbaatar - Chinggis Khaan Statue
- Khustai National Park - Leader-led Hike
- Khustai National Park - Ungut Stone Monuments
- Shanghai - Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Centre (entrance fee) - CNY25
- Shanghai - Yuyuan Garden (entrance fee) - CNY40
- Shanghai - Shanghai Museum (entrance fee) - Free
- Xi'an - Great Mosque (entrance fee) - CNY25
- Xi'an - Bell & Drum Towers (entrance fee) - CNY50
- Xi'an - City Wall bike hire - CNY45
- Xi'an - Tang Dynasty Show - CNY290
- Xi'an - Big Goose Pagoda (entrance fee) - CNY80
- Xi'an - Little Wild Goose Pagoda - CNY50
- Beijing - Temple of Heaven (entrance fee) - CNY40
- Beijing - Hutong family visit - CNY150
- Beijing - Lama Temple (entrance fee) - CNY25
- Beijing - Acrobat show (ticket) - CNY290
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, learn more about our climate commitment.
When you travel with us, The Intrepid Foundation gives you more opportunities to support important causes in destinations you visit.
Before you book you should know
- Accommodation at the ger camp is twin share with bedding provided, and the shared bathroom and toilet facilities are in a separate building. Shower units have installed water heaters, but please note that the water pressure may not be what you would expect in urban areas.
- Your overnight train on this trip is in 4 berth compartments. Please note that cabins are allocated on a mixed gender basis, and depending on the group size some group members will share a cabin with passengers that are not part of our group. Sheets, pillow and a blanket are provided, and there are communal bathrooms at the end of each carriage.
- China’s world-class sites and experiences draw large numbers of local and international travellers. We recommend a little patience and comfortable shoes as you may need to wait before entering the more popular locations on your itinerary.
- Be prepared for some long travel days as you’ll need to cover almost 3500 km to see two countries.
- This trip is a combination of two trips. Please review the Itinerary for details of when your fellow travellers and leader will change.
OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
The style of accommodation indicated in the Itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.
TWIN SHARE
Accommodation on this trip is on a twin share basis, unless otherwise stated in the Itinerary. There may be times when facilities are shared, rather than ensuite, which will also be mentioned in the Itinerary if applicable.
CHECK-IN TIME
Throughout the trip we request that hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination before checking in.
PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (subject to availability), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.
Kingtown Hotel Plaza Shanghai 上海广场嘉廷酒店
No.126 Xinzha Road Huangpu, 200003 上海市黄浦区新闸路126号
Shanghai
CHINA
Phone: +862 160677258
Description
Kingtown Hotel Plaza Shanghai is located in Shanghai’s business, entertainment and shopping area. A 2-minute walk from Xinzha Road Subway Station Line 1, it offers free parking and rooms with free internet. Kingtown Hotel Plaza Shanghai is a short 500 m from People’s Square, the Shanghai Museum and Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street. Guestrooms at Kingtown offer a stylish interior with modern furnishings. Each well-appointed room is equipped with a minibar, a work desk and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels.
Instructions
An arrival transfer from the airport is bookable with Intrepid. Please advise your flight/train arrival details no later than 14 days prior to your departure.
If you have pre-arranged an arrival transfer with us, you’ll be met at the airport arrival hall by a transfer representative holding an Intrepid sign with your name on it, at the exit of international arrival hall, after baggage claim area. Note that there will be a lot of transfer representatives holding their signs. The maximum waiting time for your driver is 2.5 hours after your flight arrival. In case of flight cancellations, changes, if you experience severe delays at immigration, baggage collection or customs, or if you are not able to find the driver, please contact our local office on the number in the ‘Problems and emergency contact information’ section.
Pudong Airport:
If you choose to travel to the joining point by public transport you can take the Maglev to Longyang Lu Station, then take subway Line 2 from Longyang Lu Station to Renmin Square Station, change to subway Line 1 to Xinzhalu Station, Exit No.6, then about 500 meters walk to your hotel. From Shanghai Pudong International Airport, approx 200CNY by taxi.
Hongqiao Airport:
If you are landing at Hongqiao international airport, please take the subway from Hong Qiao station Line 2 to Renmin Square Station, change to subway Line1 to Xinzhalu Station, Exit 6, then about 500meters walk to your hotel. It is 20km from Hongqiao international Airport to hotel, a taxi would cost about CNY 100.
Dates and prices
Important notes
1. A single supplement is available to be booked if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 14 (Overnight Train), 15 and 16 (Ger camp), where you will be in shared accommodation. The single supplement is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. A scanned copy of the personal details page of your passport needs to be sent to your booking agent no later than 40 days before departure in order for us to purchase our train tickets.
3. Travelling in China will heavily rely upon using local payment apps – Wechat and Alipay for making payments. It’s essential to install them on your phone and have a data package ready prior to your travel. Please read ‘money matters’ in the Essential Trip Information for more details. You shouldn’t rely on credit card for travel in China.
4. While travelling in China, you won’t have access to social media and some websites. You may consider installing a VPN to access those sites and apps. Please check the Essential Trip Information for more details.
5. Please note that there are some prohibited items for trains and flights in China. Please refer to Packing section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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