Intrepid Travel
China & Mongolia Railway Adventure
China & Mongolia Railway 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!
Activities
- 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
Highlights
- 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.
| Day 1 |
Also known as “The Paris of the East,” Shanghai is a youthful and cosmopolitan city with a tantalizing blend of Eastern and Western culture. Across the Huangpu River you will see Pudong district’s futuristic skyline, including Shanghai Tower and Oriental Pearl TV Tower. The gorgeous Yu Garden has traditional pavilions, towers and ponds and definitely lives up to its nickname, "Garden of Happiness." |
| Day 2 |
Also known as “The Paris of the East,” Shanghai is a youthful and cosmopolitan city with a tantalizing blend of Eastern and Western culture. Across the Huangpu River you will see Pudong district’s futuristic skyline, including Shanghai Tower and Oriental Pearl TV Tower. The gorgeous Yu Garden has traditional pavilions, towers and ponds and definitely lives up to its nickname, "Garden of Happiness." |
| Day 3 |
Xi'an is the capital of Shaanxi (Shen-hsi) Province, and the cultural center of the historic and agriculturally rich Wei River valley. Historical interests include the tomb of China's first emperor, Shih 0Huang Ti; Shaanxi Provincial Museum; the Big and Little Goose Pagodas; and the Great Mosque. Other points of interest include the tombs of the Tang emperors (618-906); four tumuli (burial mounds); Xi'an Hot Springs; and Banpo, a Neolithic village. |
| Day 4 |
Xi'an is the capital of Shaanxi (Shen-hsi) Province, and the cultural center of the historic and agriculturally rich Wei River valley. Historical interests include the tomb of China's first emperor, Shih 0Huang Ti; Shaanxi Provincial Museum; the Big and Little Goose Pagodas; and the Great Mosque. Other points of interest include the tombs of the Tang emperors (618-906); four tumuli (burial mounds); Xi'an Hot Springs; and Banpo, a Neolithic village. |
| Day 5 |
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| Day 6 |
Visit Beijing, China’s capital! This majestic city offers plenty of grand monuments, ancient landmarks, and breathtaking sights for you to explore. Begin your Beijing adventure in the heart of the city. Beyond Tiananmen Square, the city’s austere (and infamous) political center erected by Chairman Mao, lies the remarkable Forbidden City. This imperial palace, perhaps the most famous attraction in Beijing proper, will amaze you with its bright red façade and impressive museum, home to beautiful pieces of Chinese art. Nearby Tian Tan or Temple of Heaven, the imperial center for prayer over many dynasties, is fashioned in the same exquisite Chinese architectural style and bursts with lavish reds and golds. Travel mere steps from Tiananmen to gaze in wonderment at the National Center for the Performing Arts, whose illuminated glass dome sparkles over a mirror-like pool of blue water. After visiting the city’s historic landmarks, unwind by browsing unique markets and enjoying some delicious culinary treats. Restaurants throughout Beijing serve savory and crispy peking duck, a staple in the city, but be sure to sample sweet cakes and rice desserts on bustling Wangfujing Snack Street. From lovely jade beads, to vintage tea pots, to distinctive souvenirs, the Panjiyuan Antique Market is the quintessential stop for shopping in Beijing. Venture just north of the capital to see the Great Wall of China, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world’s most iconic man-made wonders. This vast landmark, whose twisting steps are set upon lush hilltops, is an absolute must-see on any trip to Beijing. The Great Wall’s overwhelming immensity is guaranteed to leave you awestruck. |
| Day 7 |
Visit Beijing, China’s capital! This majestic city offers plenty of grand monuments, ancient landmarks, and breathtaking sights for you to explore. Begin your Beijing adventure in the heart of the city. Beyond Tiananmen Square, the city’s austere (and infamous) political center erected by Chairman Mao, lies the remarkable Forbidden City. This imperial palace, perhaps the most famous attraction in Beijing proper, will amaze you with its bright red façade and impressive museum, home to beautiful pieces of Chinese art. Nearby Tian Tan or Temple of Heaven, the imperial center for prayer over many dynasties, is fashioned in the same exquisite Chinese architectural style and bursts with lavish reds and golds. Travel mere steps from Tiananmen to gaze in wonderment at the National Center for the Performing Arts, whose illuminated glass dome sparkles over a mirror-like pool of blue water. After visiting the city’s historic landmarks, unwind by browsing unique markets and enjoying some delicious culinary treats. Restaurants throughout Beijing serve savory and crispy peking duck, a staple in the city, but be sure to sample sweet cakes and rice desserts on bustling Wangfujing Snack Street. From lovely jade beads, to vintage tea pots, to distinctive souvenirs, the Panjiyuan Antique Market is the quintessential stop for shopping in Beijing. Venture just north of the capital to see the Great Wall of China, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world’s most iconic man-made wonders. This vast landmark, whose twisting steps are set upon lush hilltops, is an absolute must-see on any trip to Beijing. The Great Wall’s overwhelming immensity is guaranteed to leave you awestruck. |
| Day 8 |
Visit Beijing, China’s capital! This majestic city offers plenty of grand monuments, ancient landmarks, and breathtaking sights for you to explore. Begin your Beijing adventure in the heart of the city. Beyond Tiananmen Square, the city’s austere (and infamous) political center erected by Chairman Mao, lies the remarkable Forbidden City. This imperial palace, perhaps the most famous attraction in Beijing proper, will amaze you with its bright red façade and impressive museum, home to beautiful pieces of Chinese art. Nearby Tian Tan or Temple of Heaven, the imperial center for prayer over many dynasties, is fashioned in the same exquisite Chinese architectural style and bursts with lavish reds and golds. Travel mere steps from Tiananmen to gaze in wonderment at the National Center for the Performing Arts, whose illuminated glass dome sparkles over a mirror-like pool of blue water. After visiting the city’s historic landmarks, unwind by browsing unique markets and enjoying some delicious culinary treats. Restaurants throughout Beijing serve savory and crispy peking duck, a staple in the city, but be sure to sample sweet cakes and rice desserts on bustling Wangfujing Snack Street. From lovely jade beads, to vintage tea pots, to distinctive souvenirs, the Panjiyuan Antique Market is the quintessential stop for shopping in Beijing. Venture just north of the capital to see the Great Wall of China, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world’s most iconic man-made wonders. This vast landmark, whose twisting steps are set upon lush hilltops, is an absolute must-see on any trip to Beijing. The Great Wall’s overwhelming immensity is guaranteed to leave you awestruck. |
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The capital and largest city in Mongolia, located in the northcentral region. Founded as a monestary in 1649, it has long been an important stop on the trading route between Russia and China. |
| Day 18 |
The capital and largest city in Mongolia, located in the northcentral region. Founded as a monestary in 1649, it has long been an important stop on the trading route between Russia and China. |
| Travel Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
09/01/25 - 06/15/26 |
Starting At $4,895 |
Get A Quote | |
|
06/22/26 - 09/11/26 |
Starting At $5,210 |
Get A Quote | |
|
10/09/26 - 06/14/27 |
Starting At $4,895 |
Get A Quote | |
|
06/21/27 - 09/10/27 |
Starting At $5,210 |
Get A Quote | |
|
10/08/27 - 10/25/27 |
Starting At $4,895 |
Get A Quote |
Offer subject to availability and change without notice. Some restrictions may apply.
