8D7N Timeless Traditions of Eastern Inner Mongolia
Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes of Eastern Inner Mongolia. From the vast grasslands of Ulan Butong to the ancient ruins of the Liao Shangjing, this 8-day journey offers a unique blend of history, tradition, and natural beauty. Experience the Mongolian spirit firsthand as you explore sacred sites, majestic deserts, and tranquil monasteries, while staying in carefully selected accommodations that reflect the region’s charm. This is more than a tour; it’s an exploration of timeless traditions and breathtaking scenery.

Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Beijing - Chifeng
Arrive in Beijing, then take a scenic drive to Chifeng City. After dinner, enjoy a leisurely night tour of Chifeng at your own pace.
Check into the hotel and rest for the night.
Activities & Services:
- Leisure Night Tour of Chifeng
Included: Dinner
Day 2: Chifeng – Ulan Butong
After a hearty breakfast, you'll begin your journey towards the Ulan Butong Grassland, a captivating destination known for its stunning landscapes. The drive will take approximately 4 hours, offering scenic views as you approach the grassland. Ulan Butong is a photographer's paradise, and it's often referred to as an "Open-Air Studio" due to its popularity as a filming base for numerous movies and TV shows. The expansive, rolling plains provide the perfect backdrop for visual storytelling, making it a must-see for both nature lovers and film enthusiasts.
Upon arrival at the grassland, you'll visit some of the most notable spots in the area, starting with the film base, where many iconic scenes were filmed. You’ll also explore Baicao Aobao, a sacred hill that holds cultural significance, and Yangshuibei, another picturesque location known for its sweeping views and tranquil atmosphere. The vast, European-style grasslands offer a sense of serenity, with lush green meadows that stretch as far as the eye can see, making it an unforgettable experience.
Activities & Services:
- Visit Film Base
- Explore Baicao Aobao
- Visit Yangshuibei
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Ulan Butong – Xilinhot
After breakfast, you’ll embark on an exciting adventure towards the Hunshandake Sand Land, a vast and mesmerizing desert region. Upon reaching the designated area, you’ll switch to an off-road vehicle to explore the highlights of this rugged and unique landscape. As you drive through the sand dunes, you’ll pass by Dadu River, where the serene waters cut through the desert, and Snake Skin River, known for its winding curves resembling the skin of a snake. Another intriguing sight is the Underground Forest, a stunning natural wonder where trees seem to grow out of the desert soil, creating an almost magical atmosphere. You'll also visit Girl's Lake, a peaceful oasis in the desert, providing a perfect spot for photos.
After exploring the Hunshandake Sand Land, you’ll continue your journey towards Zhenglan Banner, home to the Yuan Shangdu Ruins, the birthplace of the Yuan Dynasty in China. Here, you’ll take an electric car tour through the scenic area, where you can learn about the rich history of the Yuan Dynasty and see the impressive ruins that tell the story of China’s ancient imperial past. Following this fascinating exploration, you’ll continue the drive to Xilinhot, where you will check into your hotel for a restful evening.
Activities & Services:
- Off-Road Adventure in Hunshandake Sand Land
- Visit Dadu River & Snake Skin River
- Explore Underground Forest
- Visit Girl's Lake
- Electric Car Tour at Yuan Shangdu Ruins
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Xilinhot – West Uqi
After breakfast, you'll begin your journey towards the Ulan Wutai Scenic Area, a renowned 4A-level scenic spot that offers breathtaking views of the grasslands. Ulan Wutai is also a famous Buddhist pilgrimage site, comparable to the sacred Wutai Mountain in Shanxi. The name "Ulan" means "red" in Mongolian, and historically, the five peaks of Ulan Wutai were named after colors: red, yellow, blue, green, and white. While exploring this scenic area, you'll see several notable sites, including the World’s First Aobao, Genghis Khan Square, pilgrimage locations, ecological park, and the eight Stupas of Tathagata. You’ll also visit the Five-Tai Temple, an important site for Buddhist devotees. To make your experience more convenient and enjoyable, electric car services will be available to transport you through the picturesque landscapes.
In the afternoon, you’ll continue your exploration with a visit to Mongolian Khan City, a 4A-level national scenic area located in the heart of the Xiwuzhumqin Grassland in Inner Mongolia. This area is known as the “source of nomadic culture” and is a cradle for Mongolian heritage. Here, you’ll be immersed in the culture of the 13th-century Mongolian royal palace, and the region is also known for its ethnic costumes, traditional Mongolian long tunes, and the famed wrestling champions that originate here. As you explore, you'll learn about the vibrant traditions that have shaped this part of the world, including the nomadic lifestyle and the deep cultural significance of the grasslands.
In the evening, you'll enjoy a lively performance during dinner, where Mongolian singers will perform traditional grassland songs. The lyrics are filled with passion and sincerity, and the upbeat rhythms, light melodies, and dynamic harmonies will deliver a warm, heartfelt grassland blessing to all visitors. After the performance, you’ll head to West Uqi for your overnight stay.
Activities & Services:
- Visit Ulan Wutai Scenic Area
- Visit Mongolian Khan City
- Mongolian Grassland Performance
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: West Uqi – Ula Gai Town
After breakfast, meet your guide in the hotel lobby to begin your exploration of Lhasa's iconic sights.
The first stop of the day is Drepung Monastery, one of the largest Tibetan monasteries in the world. Located at the foot of Gambo Utse Mountain, Drepung is one of the Great Three Gelug Monasteries in Tibet, alongside Sera and Ganden monasteries. The name “Drepung” in Tibetan means “the hill of rice,” and from a distance, the monastery’s white buildings look like a pile of rice. Covering an area of 150,000 square meters and housing over 7,700 monks, it once had the largest number of monks of any monastery in Tibet, making it the largest monastery in Asia. The monastery offers a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere, providing a glimpse into Tibetan monastic life.
Next, you will visit Norbulingka Park, a beautiful and historic site in Lhasa. The name "Norbulingka" means "Treasure Park" in Tibetan. The park showcases a unique blend of Tibetan and inland Chinese architecture. In 1752, the 7th Dalai Lama constructed the first palace here, which was used by successive Dalai Lamas as their summer residence, where they would conduct both political and religious activities. Today, Norbulingka has transformed into a public park where locals and visitors can enjoy picnics, relax, and engage in recreational activities, all while surrounded by serene gardens and the historic palaces of the Dalai Lamas.
Activities & Services:
- Visit Drepung Monastery
- Visit Norbulingka Park
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Ula Gai Town – Jarud Banner
After breakfast, drive to Jiuzhou Bay, a stunning natural wonder and one of the most iconic filming locations of Wolf Totem. From the Jiuzhou Bend Viewing Platform, take in the mesmerizing sight of the winding river, its nine twists and eighteen turns creating a breathtaking panorama of crystal-clear waters, endless blue skies, and vibrant grasslands. Jiuzhou Bay captures the spirit of the Mongolian steppe—vast, untamed, and full of life.
Continue to Khan Mountain Scenic Area, home to China's tallest and most magnificent sculpture complex. Towering statues of legendary Mongolian Khans stand as a tribute to the once-mighty Mongol cavalry, evoking the grandeur of an empire that reshaped history over a thousand years ago.
After exploring the scenic wonders, journey onward to Jarud Banner, where you will check in to your hotel and unwind for the evening.
Activities & Services:
- Visit Jiuzhou Bay
- Explore Khan Mountain Scenic Area
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Jarud Banner – Chifeng
After breakfast, travel to Bairin Left Banner to visit the Liao Shangjing Ruins, the birthplace of Liao culture. This historic site was once the capital of the Khitan Liao Dynasty and served as the political, economic, and cultural center of the empire, leaving behind a wealth of cultural heritage.
Explore the Liao Shangjing Ruins Museum, the only Liao Dynasty imperial capital museum in Inner Mongolia. The museum houses a remarkable collection of over 17,000 historical artifacts, including 57 first-class relics, 242 second-class relics, and 263 third-class relics. Notable discoveries include clay figurines, equestrian statues, and ancient coins from the Tang, Song, Liao, and Jin dynasties. This site is a nationally protected heritage site, offering deep insights into the grandeur of the Liao Dynasty.
In the evening, return to Chifeng City and check into your hotel.
Activities & Services:
- Visit Liao Shangjing Ruins
- Explore Liao Shangjing Ruins Museum
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Depart from Chifeng
After breakfast, depart from Chifeng and travel back to Beijing by car. Upon arrival in Beijing, proceed to the airport for your return flight to Singapore.
Activities & Services:
- Departure Transfer
Included: Breakfast
Please note: This itinerary is designed to give you an idea of what to expect on the tour but is not set in stone. What we actually do on a given day is flexible and can be tailored based on the interests of the group.
TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
- Meet & Greet by our representative upon arrival.
- Breakfast as defined in the itinerary.
- All transfers as indicated in the itinerary.
- Tours as described in the itinerary with a fully qualified Chinese-speaking local guide (unless otherwise stated).
- Accommodation in double/twin bedded rooms in hotels stated in the itinerary, or similar.
- Should the hotel/lodge quoted not be available, we will endeavour to book an alternative property based on the same/similar rate and grading as the quoted property.
- Entrance fees where applicable in the itinerary, unless otherwise stated.
TOUR PRICE EXCLUDES:
- All Airfares (International / Domestic) & airport taxes.
- Costs associated with obtaining visas/entry requirements.
- Items of a personal nature, such as laundry, telephone calls, room service, alcoholic beverages, minibar charges, etc.
- Any tours not specified within the above itinerary.
- Early check-in / Late check-out.
- Excess baggage.
- Gratuities for the Tour Guide and Driver.
- Other items not mentioned in the Tour Price INCLUDES list.