Chengdu Panda & Culture Urban Adventure
Discover China's Imperial Grandeur and Nomadic Spirit
Day 1: Arrival in Beijing - Gateway to Imperial China
Welcome to China's Capital
Meals: No meals
Accommodation: In Beijing
Arrive at Beijing International Airport, met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Settle in and begin absorbing the atmosphere of this historic imperial capital. The remainder of the day is yours to rest and adjust to the new time zone.
Day 2: Beijing's Imperial Heart
Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Beijing
Begin at Tian'anmen Square, the world's largest public square, then enter the magnificent Forbidden City - home to Chinese emperors for nearly 500 years. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Heaven where emperors performed sacred rituals for good harvests. Evening option: Traditional Peking Opera performance.
Day 3: Great Wall & Modern Marvels
Mutianyu Great Wall & Olympic Legacy
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Beijing
Journey to Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, renowned for its stunning scenery and excellent preservation. Choose to hike or take the cable car for breathtaking views. After lunch at a local vegetarian restaurant, return to the city to photograph the iconic Bird's Nest and Water Cube from the 2008 Olympics. Conclude with a traditional Chinese tea ceremony.
Day 4: Imperial Gardens & Ancient Lanes
Summer Palace & Hutong Rickshaw Tour
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Hohhot
Explore the Summer Palace, China's largest and best-preserved imperial garden. Experience traditional Beijing life with a rickshaw tour through ancient hutongs (alleyways). In the afternoon, transfer to the railway station for your high-speed train to Hohhot, capital of Inner Mongolia.
Day 5: Hohhot - Gateway to Mongolian Culture
Dazhao Temple, Inner Mongolia Museum & Five Pagodas
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Hohhot
Discover Hohhot's rich cultural heritage starting with Dazhao Temple, the city's first Lamaist temple. Visit the comprehensive Inner Mongolia Museum to understand the region's history and ethnic diversity. Conclude at the exquisite Five Pagodas Temple, featuring 1,563 unique Buddha carvings from the Qing Dynasty.
Day 6: Mongolian Grassland Immersion
Xilamuren Grassland Experience
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Mongolian-style Tent
Note: Grassland closed October-May annually
Travel to Xilamuren Grassland, your introduction to Inner Mongolia's vast open spaces. Experience authentic Mongolian hospitality, traditional customs, and the stunning natural landscape. Overnight in a traditional Mongolian ger (tent) beneath spectacular star-filled skies far from city light pollution.
Day 7: Desert Wonders to Modern Ordos
Resonant Sand Gorge & Kubuqi Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Ordos
Morning departure to Resonant Sand Gorge in the eastern Kubuqi Desert, where sand produces musical sounds when disturbed. Continue to Ordos, visiting a local cashmere market showcasing the region's famous textile industry. Overnight in this modern city contrasting with traditional Mongolian culture.
Day 8: Genghis Khan Legacy & Return Journey
Mausoleum of Genghis Khan & High-Speed Return
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Beijing
Visit the sacred Mausoleum of Genghis Khan, a memorial honoring Mongolia's legendary leader. After paying respects, drive to Hohhot for your high-speed train back to Beijing, reflecting on the cultural contrasts between imperial China and nomadic Mongolia.
Day 9: Departure from Beijing
Farewell to China
Meals: Breakfast
Enjoy a leisurely morning before transferring to Beijing Capital International Airport for your departure flight, carrying memories of imperial grandeur and Mongolian horizons.