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Intrepid Travel · Escorted tour

China & Mongolia Railway Adventure

18-day rail journey from Shanghai through Beijing to Ulaanbaatar via Trans-Mongolian Railway

Illustration of China & Mongolia Railway Adventure

Intrepid Travel operates this 18-day escorted adventure that links China's bullet trains with the legendary Trans-Mongolian Railway. Departing from Shanghai, the journey travels through northern China to Beijing via high-speed rail, stopping at the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an and the Great Wall near Beijing. A family-run guesthouse near the Wall offers a night under the stars, while hikes along the restored Jinshanling section immerse you in the landscape. After a free day in Beijing where the group reorganizes, the tour heads northeast through Inner Mongolia's grasslands, deserts and stone forests before boarding the Trans-Mongolian Railway's 4-berth sleeper train at Erlian. This overnight train crosses the China-Mongolia border at Zamiin-Uud and arrives in Sainshand, where you explore Buddhist monasteries and join a camel-herding family for lunch. A second overnight sleeper carries you to Ulaanbaatar, followed by two nights in a traditional ger camp in Khustai National Park to spot wild Przewalski horses and eagles. The itinerary suits repeat rail travellers, history lovers drawn to ancient sites, and guided-comfort seekers who want structure with a leader throughout.

What to know before you look closer

  • A new travel leader joins on day 8 in Beijing; the group composition may change at this point and again for the Mongolian portion of the tour.
  • The Trans-Mongolian Railway sleeper compartments are 4-berth shared cabins; check with Intrepid if private berth upgrades are available and their cost.
  • Several optional activities and entrance fees (temples, museums, shows, the Great Mosque) are not included; some meals beyond the stated 10 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 2 dinners require separate payment.
  • International flights, visas, travel insurance, and airport transfers are not included; airport transfers can be booked separately.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Hotel

    Shanghai

    Welcome to China. Welcome meeting at 4 pm. Leader-led walking tour on the Bund to see the nighttime skyline. Explore Shanghai's eclectic food scene.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Hotel

    Wuxi / Shanghai

    Bullet train to Wuxi (30 minutes). Walking tour through Huishan Ancient Town Scenic Area, cultural relics, historic sites and Xihui scenic area. Visit Jichang Garden – a protected national heritage site. Return to Shanghai in the afternoon.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3railovernight: Hotel

    Xi'an

    Bullet train to Xi'an (~7 hours travel). Walking tour passing the Bell and Drum Towers, Muslim Quarter, Great Mosque. Street snack sampling.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4overnight: Hotel

    Xi'an

    Visit the Terracotta Warriors (~2 hours each way). Free evening at leisure; optional visit to Tang Paradise walking street near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Guest house

    Great Wall

    High-speed train to Beijing (~9 hours total including private transfer to Great Wall guesthouse). Spend the night in a family-run guesthouse inside the scenic area near the Great Wall. Recommended short hike to the Wall for an unforgettable sunset.

  6. Day 6overnight: Hotel

    Beijing

    Visit the Great Wall of China – Jinshanling section (~2 hours travel). Hike along a less-visited, original section of the Wall for about 2 hours. Transfer to Beijing.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7overnight: Hotel

    Beijing

    Explore Tiananmen Square and enter the Forbidden City. Free time in the afternoon. Optional Temple of Heaven visit. Farewell dinner with Beijing duck.

  8. Day 8overnight: Hotel

    Beijing

    Free day in Beijing until a new welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet new travel companions joining for the second part of the trip. Group and leader may change today.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Hotel

    Reshui

    Bullet train to Chifeng (~6 hours travel). Lunch stop. Visit Chifeng Museum. Private transfer to Reshui, gateway to Inner Mongolia's vast grasslands.

  10. Day 10overnight: Hotel

    Reshui

    Visit Huanggangliang National Forest Park (Huanggang Peak at 2029 m, glacial valleys, flowers and grasslands). After lunch, visit Asihatu Stone Forest (2 million years of wind and rain formations). See Gongge'er Grasslands with rivers and wild deer.

    Meals: Breakfast

  11. Day 11overnight: Hotel

    Xilinhot

    Drive to Hunshandake Sandy Land. Visit Ulihan Desert Campsite for a BBQ lunch. Visit Dali Lake. Head to Xilinhot for the night.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  12. Day 12railovernight: Hotel

    Erlian / Trans-Mongolia Railway / Sainshand (Border crossing into Mongolia)

    Drive from Xilinhot to Erlian (~6.5 hours). Lunch stop and meet new leader for the Mongolian portion. Board Trans-Mongolian Railway to Sainshand (~8 hours including China/Mongolia border crossing at Zamiin-Uud). Arrive after midnight.

    Meals: Breakfast

  13. Day 13overnight: Hotel

    Sainshand

    Walking tour of Sainshand. Visit Noyon Khutagt Museum (Buddhist artifacts). Drive to Khamriin Monastery. Short hike to meditation caves and Mongolian Shambala energy centre. Free evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  14. Day 14railovernight: Overnight Train

    Sainshand / Overnight Train

    Drive to Mountain of Wishes – climb to the top and whisper a wish. Visit a family of camel herders for a traditional home-cooked lunch. Board overnight train to Ulaanbaatar.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  15. Day 15overnight: Tourist ger camp

    Ulaanbaatar / Khustai National Park

    Arrive in Ulaanbaatar around 7 am. Drive to Chinggis Khaan Statue (40 m stainless-steel, views from horse's mane, small museum in base). Lunch in Nalaikh town at a monastery cafe. Continue to Khustai National Park. Settle into ger camp.

    Meals: Lunch, Dinner

  16. Day 16overnight: Tourist ger camp

    Khustai National Park

    Breakfast at camp. Leader-led hike to see wildlife including wild Przewalski horses, Golden Eagles, falcons and vultures. Drive to Ungut Monument (30 human-shaped stone monuments from the 7th century). Return to ger camp for a free evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  17. Day 17overnight: Hotel

    Ulaanbaatar

    Drive back to Ulaanbaatar (~3 hours). Orientation walk through the city's central square. Optional lunch at a cafe. Afternoon free for shopping (cashmere, felt products) or sightseeing. Optional cultural performance with throat singing and traditional dancing. Optional final dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast

  18. Day 18

    Ulaanbaatar

    Say 'bayartai' as the adventure draws to a close. No activities planned. Free to depart at any time.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 230-minute bullet train to Wuxi; walking tour of Huishan Ancient Town and Jichang Garden, a protected national heritage site.
  • Day 5High-speed train journey to Beijing, then private transfer to a family-run guesthouse near the Great Wall. Recommended short hike to watch the sunset over the Wall.
  • Day 6Hike along the less-visited Jinshanling section of the Great Wall for about 2 hours.
  • Day 12Board the Trans-Mongolian Railway sleeper train from Erlian; travel through the China-Mongolia border crossing at Zamiin-Uud to Sainshand, arriving after midnight.
  • Day 16Leader-led hike in Khustai National Park to spot wild Przewalski horses, golden eagles, falcons and vultures. Visit Ungut Monument, a site of 7th-century stone figures.

Included

  • 10 breakfasts
  • 5 lunches
  • 2 dinners
  • Train transport (bullet trains and Trans-Mongolian Railway)
  • Overnight train (sleeper carriage, 4-berth compartment)
  • Private vehicle transfers
  • Metro
  • Hotel accommodation (13 nights)
  • Guesthouse accommodation (1 night)
  • Overnight train accommodation (1 night)
  • Tourist ger camp accommodation (2 nights)
  • Wuxi – Huishan Ancient Town visit
  • Wuxi – Jichang Garden visit
  • Xi'an – Muslim Quarter Walking Tour and Snack Sampling
  • Xi'an – Terracotta Warriors Tour (leader-led)
  • Great Wall – Sunset hike
  • Great Wall – Jinshanling section hike
  • Beijing – Forbidden City entrance
  • Beijing – Tiananmen Square visit
  • Chifeng – Chifeng Museum visit
  • 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

Not included

  • International flights
  • Visas
  • Travel insurance
  • Optional activities
  • Personal expenses
  • Meals not listed in inclusions
  • Chairlift at Great Wall (own expense)
  • Airport transfers (bookable separately)

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included in the price?
Yes. Intrepid includes the bullet trains across China (Shanghai to Wuxi, Shanghai to Xi'an, Xi'an to Beijing, Beijing to Chifeng), the Trans-Mongolian Railway sleeper train from Erlian to Sainshand, and the overnight sleeper train from Sainshand to Ulaanbaatar. Metro travel in cities is also included.
What type of train are the sleeper cars on the Trans-Mongolian Railway?
The Trans-Mongolian Railway and the overnight train from Sainshand to Ulaanbaatar both use 4-berth sleeper compartments.
Is the tour escorted or independent?
The tour is escorted by Intrepid Travel leaders. A new leader joins on day 8 in Beijing, and the group composition may change again for the Mongolian section.
What meals are included?
Intrepid includes 10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 2 dinners. Most other meals and drinks are at your own expense.
What accommodation do I stay in?
Accommodation varies: hotels in Shanghai, Xi'an, Beijing, Reshui, Xilinhot, Sainshand and Ulaanbaatar; a family-run guesthouse near the Great Wall for one night; sleeper train compartments on two nights; and a traditional ger (yurt) camp in Khustai National Park for two nights.
How much walking and physical activity is involved?
The tour includes walking tours in cities, a 2-hour hike along the Great Wall at Jinshanling, a leader-led hike in Khustai National Park to spot wildlife, and various shorter walks. Several days involve 6 to 9 hours of train or vehicle travel.

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