Hidden China & Inner Mongolia

The adventure

To truly understand China, you’ve got to get out and meet it on its own terms, which is exactly what this 12-day trip through the country’s northern reaches delivers. Up here, you’ll get to the big stuff (the Great Wall, Xi’an’s Terracotta Army, Beijing) and lesser-known treasures that only the hardiest of travellers ever get to see: village life in Inner Mongolia, the amazing Yungang Buddha Caves, and the nearly 3,000-year-old city of Pingyao, to name just a few.

At a glance

Where you'll go

Day by day

Your journey through

China

Showing Days 1-7

12-day itinerary

Day 1Arrival dayArrivalThere are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.

There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.

Day 2Visit the Great Wall of China and return…BeijingTravel out of Beijing to explore the Great Wall at Mutianyu. An incredible piece of engineering stretching almost 3,000km (1,864 mi) westwards from the mountain ridges north of Beijing, it was originally constructed to protect the Chinese empires from the Mongolian 'barbarians' of the north. Return to Beijing in the afternoon. Prepare for the overnight sleeper train to Baotou.

Beijing

Travel out of Beijing to explore the Great Wall at Mutianyu. An incredible piece of engineering stretching almost 3,000km (1,864 mi) westwards from the mountain ridges north of Beijing, it was originally constructed to protect the Chinese empires from the Mongolian 'barbarians' of the north. Return to Beijing in the afternoon. Prepare for the overnight sleeper train to Baotou.

Day 3Arrive in Baotou and continue into the grasslands…Enjoy the scenery around you and optional activities like horseback riding or a grasslands tour to see some wildlife. With a little luck, catch a beautiful sunset or sunrise with clear blue skies. Enjoy traditional living on the grasslands with a a night spent in a ger (yurt) and a delicious Mongolian dinner.

Enjoy the scenery around you and optional activities like horseback riding or a grasslands tour to see some wildlife. With a little luck, catch a beautiful sunset or sunrise with clear blue skies. Enjoy traditional living on the grasslands with a a night spent in a ger (yurt) and a delicious Mongolian dinner.

Day 4Travel back through the grasslands to the capital…Datong is famous for its temples, pagodas, and other Buddhist structures in the area. The Huayan Monastery and Nine-Dragon Screen are excellent examples of the treasures found in the middle of the city.

Datong is famous for its temples, pagodas, and other Buddhist structures in the area. The Huayan Monastery and Nine-Dragon Screen are excellent examples of the treasures found in the middle of the city.

Day 5Set eyes on the gorgeous Hanging Monastery…The Hanging Monastery (or Hanging Temple) is a wooden structure built into a cliff at the foot of a mountain more than 1,500 years ago. It includes Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian elements. Further afield are the Yungang Grottoes; there are currently 53 grottoes with 51,000 statues of the Buddha remaining. Enjoy a guided visit to the grottoes to marvel at them in person. Beyond that is Mt Hengshan, one of the five sacred mountains of China. Opt to check out Datong's six remaining pagodas, which gave the city the nickname "City of Pagodas".

The Hanging Monastery (or Hanging Temple) is a wooden structure built into a cliff at the foot of a mountain more than 1,500 years ago. It includes Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian elements. Further afield are the Yungang Grottoes; there are currently 53 grottoes with 51,000 statues of the Buddha remaining. Enjoy a guided visit to the grottoes to marvel at them in person. Beyond that is Mt Hengshan, one of the five sacred mountains of China. Opt to check out Datong's six remaining pagodas, which gave the city the nickname "City of Pagodas".

Day 6Travel by train and arrive at Pingyao…

Travel by train and arrive at Pingyao in the evening. Enjoy some down time staring at the beautiful scenery, playing cards, or chatting with your fellow passengers.

Day 7Explore this traditional town and enjoy an included…Sights around the city include the Market Tower, built in the 14th century, and the Confucius Temple. Opt to wander the ancient streets, marvelling at the city walls. For lunch, visit a local family and enjoy a traditional Northern Chinese lunch. Later, take a painting lesson from a former teacher.

Sights around the city include the Market Tower, built in the 14th century, and the Confucius Temple. Opt to wander the ancient streets, marvelling at the city walls. For lunch, visit a local family and enjoy a traditional Northern Chinese lunch. Later, take a painting lesson from a former teacher.

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