Songs, Spirits & the Steppe: A 5-Day Mongolian Culture Experience
$1766
Welcome to our 5-day Inner Mongolia Ethnic Culture Tour! We will venture deep into the heart of Inner Mongolia, milking cows ourselves, boiling milk, enjoying hearty meat feasts, and drinking heartily. We will visit the Xilamuren Grassland, experiencing the generosity and hospitality of local Mongolians, where we will receive their welcoming wine and blue hada (ceremonial scarves), ride horses, practice archery, and dance the Andai dance together. We will visit the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan, a cultural holy site and spiritual totem of the Mongolian people, learning about the legendary life of this outstanding military and political figure. We will visit the Inner Mongolia Museum and learn to make traditional Mongolian handicrafts by hand.
Itinerary Summary
Enjoy authentic Mongolian cuisine; visit Dazhao Temple and the Sai Shang Old Street area; visit the Inner Mongolia Museum; experience and learn traditional Mongolian handicrafts (such as leather painting, Mongolian silver engraving, or Morin Khuur)
Experience the highest level of welcome on the grassland; learn horseback riding; stay in a starry Mongolian yurt and participate in a bonfire party; dance the Andai dance
Visit a herder's family, milk cows and make milk tea by hand; experience grassland archery competitions; visit the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan
Daily Itinerary
Hello! Welcome to Hohhot, the "City of Blue." This capital of Inner Mongolia is a historical stage where Mongolian Yuan culture, Tibetan Buddhism, and Central Plains civilization blended. There are no scheduled activities today, allowing you time to relax after your long journey.
Chartered vehicle
4-star hotel
No meals included on this day.
1. Dazhao Temple
2. Sai Shang Old Street Area
- Hohhot experiences significant temperature differences between day and night; please dress warmly when going out at night.
Today we will drive north to the Xilamuren Grassland. The boundless green grassland unfolds before our eyes like a scroll painting, dotted with flocks of sheep like pearls. We will understand the meaning of the ancient Chinese poem: "Sky is blue, wilderness is boundless. Cattle and sheep are visible as wind bends grass."
Chartered vehicle
Mongolian yurt campsite
Lunch / Dinner
1. Receive a grassland welcome ceremony
2. Learn to ride a horse
3. Bonfire party
- In the morning, we will travel to the Xilamuren Grassland (approximately 80km, a 1.5–2-hour drive).
In the morning, we will delve into the heart of the grasslands, experiencing life like a local Mongolian for half a day. In the afternoon, we will travel to Ordos to visit the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan. We will follow in the footsteps of this great conqueror, completing a spiritual pilgrimage.
Chartered vehicle
Mongolian yurt campsite
Breakfast / Lunch
1. Visit a local herder's family, milk cows by hand, and make milk tea
2. Archery, experiencing the charm of grassland sports
3. Visit the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan
- After the morning's Inner Mongolian lifestyle experience, we will travel to Ordos City (approximately 330km, 3.5-4 hours by car).
This morning we will return to Hohhot and visit the Inner Mongolia Museum to experience the essence of grassland civilization through its treasures. We will also visit an Inner Mongolia Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop to learn to make leather paintings, Mongolian silver ornaments, and more. We will also enjoy a performance by a master of the Morin Khuur (horsehead fiddle).
Chartered vehicle
4-star hotel
No meals included on this day.
1. Inner Mongolia Museum
2. Intangible Cultural Heritage Handicraft Experience
3. Morin Khuur Art Appreciation
Today marks the end of your trip! You are free to explore the city in the morning, perhaps shopping for some Inner Mongolian specialties. Alternatively, after resting, you can contact our driver for airport or train station transfers.
Chartered vehicle
No meals included on this day.
Ancient Paper making in Shiqiao Village
- During your free time, we recommend visiting Dazhao Temple to experience Tibetan Buddhist culture, or purchasing local souvenirs such as dairy products and cashmere items at the Sai Shang Old Street.
Important notes
1. A single supplement is bookable for this trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Please send a scanned copy of the personal information page of your passport to your booking agent at least 15 days before departure, so that we can purchase your train tickets and make reservations for attractions..
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. 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.
5. Please note that there are some prohibited items for trains and flights in China.