Mongolia to China: The Trans-Mongolian Railway

Mongolia to China: The Trans-Mongolian Railway

• Trip code: 455X006
• Dauer: 16
• Stil: Classic

Ger camps, golden dunes, nomadic families — and then, of course, the Great Wall. Not many trips pull off a contrast this good, but the overnight train from Ulaanbaatar to Beijing makes it look easy. Come face-to-face with the Terracotta Warriors, wander Suzhou's classical gardens, and let Shanghai's skyline have the last word. Mongolia to China by rail — as epic as it sounds.

Übersicht

Accommodation

Hotels (10 nts), ger camps (4 nts), overnight train (1 nt)

Checklist

Cold Weather:
• Long-sleeved shirts or sweater
• Scarf
• Warm gloves
• Warm hat
• Warm layers
• Warm waterproof jacket

Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)
• Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)

Health & Safety:
• Face masks (Clients will be only be required to wear a face mask where it is mandated by local regulations.)
• Hand sanitizer
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)

Light Hiking:
• Hiking boots
• Hiking pants (Convertible/Zip-off and quick dry recommended)
• Walking poles

Train Travel (Optional):
• Slip-on shoes
• Small container with lid
• Travel cutlery
• Travel or camp cup

Warm weather:
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Shorts/skirts (Longer shorts/skirts are recommended)
• Sun hat/bandana
• Swimwear

Group Leader

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides

Group Size Notes

Max 16, avg 12

Highlights

Visit Gandan Monastery and the Bogd Khan Palace in the heart of Ulaanbaatar, Hike golden sand dunes and sleep in a traditional ger camp at Khugnu Khan, Share lunch with a nomadic family and make dumplings together in their ger, Trek through Terelj National Park past Turtle Rock and Aryaval Monastery, Board the overnight Trans-Mongolian Railway from Ulaanbaatar to Beijing, Hike the Great Wall and explore the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, Come face-to-face with the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an

Introduction

Ger camps, golden dunes, nomadic families — and then, of course, the Great Wall. Not many trips pull off a contrast this good, but the overnight train from Ulaanbaatar to Beijing makes it look easy. Come face-to-face with the Terracotta Warriors, wander Suzhou's classical gardens, and let Shanghai's skyline have the last word. Mongolia to China by rail — as epic as it sounds

Meal Budget

Plane USD245-320 für nicht inbegriffene Mahlzeiten ein

Optional Activities

Gorkhi Terelj National Park
- Afternoon Hike in the National Park

Beijing
- Der Seidenmarkt (Gratis)
- Besichtige den Trommel-und Glockenturm (30CNY pro Person)

Mutianyu
- Toboggan at Great Wall (100-140CNY pro Person)
- Seilbahn auf der Großen Mauer (100-140CNY pro Person)

Shanghai
- Yuyuan-Garten (40CNY pro Person)

Start / Finish

Ulaanbaatar nach Shanghai

Transport

Train, local bus, metro, private van/bus, walking, overnight train

What's Included

Dein Welcome-Moment: Welcome Meeting - Meet Your CEO and Group, Ulaanbaatar
Dein Foodie-Moment: Nomadic Family Visit with Mongolian Dumpling Making, Elsen Tasarkhai
Dein Discover-Moment: Shanghai. Guided tour of Gandan Monastery. Visit to Zaisan Hill. Visit to Bogd Khan Winter & Summer Palace. Explore and hike the Elsen Tasarkhai sand dunes. Traditional Mongolian barbecue dinner. Hike to Khugnu Khan Mountain. Visit to Uvgun Monastery. Visit to a nomadic family. Mongolian dumpling-making experience. Lunch shared with a nomadic family. Dinners at ger camps. Visit to Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. Visit to Turtle Rock. Visit to Aryaval Meditation Monastery. Archery session. Hiking in Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. Visit to Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue Complex. Overnight from train from Ulaanbaatar to Beijing. Great Wall excursion. Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City guided tour. Terracotta Warriors tour. Master of the Nets Garden. Shanghai orientation walk and acrobatic show. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Meals Included

7 Frühstück, 3 Mittagessen, 4 Abendessen

Minimum Age

Um ohne Begleitperson mit G Adventures zu reisen, musst du mindestens 18 Jahre alt sein. Das Mindestalter für Kinder in Begleitung eines Erziehungsberechtigten (über 21) beträgt 12 Jahre

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Mongolia

Welcome to Mongolia! Arrive in Ulaanbaatar at any time and make your own way to the hotel to check in and settle in after your journey. As one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world, Mongolia is known for its vast open landscapes and rich nomadic heritage—an incredible setting for the adventure ahead. This evening, meet your Chief Experience Officer (CEO) and fellow travelers at a welcome briefing, where you’ll get an overview of the journey. Afterward, enjoy a relaxed evening with the option to join your group for dinner at a local spot, a perfect opportunity to connect and kick off your time together

Day 2 Explore Ulaanbaatar

Start your first full day in Ulaanbaatar with a guided tour exploring the cultural and historical highlights of Mongolia’s capital. Begin at the revered Gandan Monastery, one of the country’s most important Buddhist sites, where you’ll encounter the impressive 26-metre gold-leafed statue of Migjid Janraisig, a powerful symbol of Mongolia’s spiritual heritage. Continue on to Zaisan Hill, climbing to the summit for sweeping panoramic views over the city, along with a striking Soviet-era memorial that reflects Mongolia’s complex 20th-century history. After some free time for lunch, visit the Bogd Khan Winter and Summer Palace, once home to Mongolia’s last king. Here, you’ll gain insight into the country’s royal past as you explore a fascinating collection of Buddhist artworks, royal treasures, and unique historical artifacts. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon, with the rest of the day at leisure to relax or continue exploring at your own pace

Day 3 Journey from Ulaanbaatar to Mini Gobi

Leave the city behind this morning and journey west across Mongolia’s vast steppe, where endless grasslands stretch to the horizon—a reminder that Mongolia is one of the least densely populated countries on Earth. Arrive at Elsen Tasarkhai, often referred to as the “Mini Gobi,” a unique landscape where sweeping sand dunes rise from the surrounding plains. Spend the afternoon exploring and hiking through this remarkable stretch of desert. Continue on to your ger camp, where you’ll settle into your traditional accommodation, an authentic way nomadic families have lived for centuries. This evening, enjoy a hearty Mongolian barbecue dinner before unwinding under the wide-open sky and taking in the peaceful beauty of the steppe

Day 4 Escape to Terelj National Park

Begin the day with breakfast at your ger camp before heading into the rugged landscapes surrounding Khugnu Khan Mountain. Set out on a scenic hike through pine forests and rocky ridgelines, taking in sweeping views across the Mongolian steppe, before visiting the atmospheric ruins of Övgön Khiid Monastery, a centuries-old monastery built into the mountainside. Later, enjoy an authentic cultural experience with a local nomadic family, learning to make traditional Mongolian dumplings together inside their working ger before sharing a home-cooked lunch. Spend the afternoon gaining insight into daily nomadic life, with the chance to experience and observe traditional activities that form part of the family’s everyday routine before returning to camp for free time and dinner under the vast Mongolian skies

Day 5 Elsen Tasarkhai/Gorkhi Terelj National Park

Travel east today toward the stunning landscapes of Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. Known for its dramatic granite rock formations, forested hills, and winding river valleys, Terelj offers a striking contrast to the open steppe you’ve explored so far. Arrive at your ger camp and take some time to relax and soak in the peaceful surroundings. If you’re feeling active, head out on an optional short hike to get your first taste of the park’s unique terrain. This evening, enjoy dinner at camp and settle in for another night in a traditional ger

Day 6 Explore Terelj National Park

Spend a full day exploring the natural and cultural highlights of Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, one of Mongolia’s most beautiful protected areas, known for its dramatic rock formations and serene alpine landscapes just outside the capital. Begin with a visit to Turtle Rock, a striking natural formation shaped like a giant turtle and considered a symbol of longevity in Mongolian culture. Continue on to the Aryaval Meditation Monastery, reached by a scenic hillside climb lined with carved Buddhist mantras, offering panoramic views over the valley and a peaceful atmosphere for reflection. Return to camp for lunch before trying your hand at traditional Mongolian archery, one of the historic sports of Naadam. In the afternoon, head out for a guided hike through the surrounding river valleys and forested hills, home to wildlife such as marmots and birds of prey. After a full day in nature and culture combined, return to camp for dinner and a relaxed evening in the peaceful surroundings of the park

Day 7 Return to Ulaanbaatar

Return to Ulaanbaatar today after your time in the wilderness, travelling back through the sweeping steppe landscapes of central Mongolia. Along the way, stop at one of the country’s most iconic landmarks, the Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue Complex. Standing at an incredible 40 metres tall, this stainless steel monument honours Mongolia’s most legendary historical figure and offers panoramic views over the surrounding plains from the horse’s head. Continue onward into the capital and arrive back at your hotel in the early afternoon to check in and refresh. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore Ulaanbaatar further and in the evening, choose to join your group for an optional farewell dinner, marking the end of your journey through Mongolia

Day 8 Overnight Train to Beijing

Today, begin one of the journey’s most unforgettable experiences: the legendary overnight rail crossing from Mongolia into Beijing. After an early packed breakfast and transfer to the station, board the train and settle in as the city lights fade behind you and the endless Mongolian steppe stretches toward the horizon. Watch remote landscapes unfold from your window — rolling grasslands, isolated settlements, and vast open wilderness untouched by time — as the train cuts across the heart of Mongolia toward the Chinese frontier. More than just a transfer, this iconic rail journey is a rare chance to experience the immense scale, solitude, and raw beauty of Central Asia while travelling one of the region’s most storied routes overnight

Day 9 Arrival in China

Welcome to China! Arrive in Beijing in the afternoon after your journey from Mongolia. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel for check in before free time for the rest of the day to explore Beijing at your leisure

Day 10 Beijing

Enjoy an included visit to the Great Wall. Later, explore Tiananmen Square

Day 11 Beijing/Xi'an

Take the Beijing metro to visit the Forbidden City. Later, board a fast train to Xi'an

Day 12 Xi'an/Suzhou

Visit one of China’s greatest archaeological treasures—the Terracotta Warriors. Continue exploring Xi'an with a visit to the Ancient City Wall and the Muslim Quarters. Tonight, board an overnight train to Suzhou

Day 13 Suzhou

Wake this morning and grab coffee and a snack on the train as you prepare to pull into Suzhou. After arrival, visit Suzhou's famed Master of the Nets Garden, one of the most beautiful gardens in China and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander around Shantang Street. Enjoy a free dinner before riding the metro back to the hotel with your CEO

Day 14 Suzhou/Shanghai

This morning, ride the bullet train to Shanghai. Join your CEO for an orientation walk of the famed Bund and Nanjing Shopping Road before a free evening in Shanghai

Day 15 Shanghai

This morning, join your CEO for an orientation walk around the city to see the shops and historic buildings. Join your CEO at the Shanghai Museum or head out to venture through this beautiful city on your own. Maybe start with a visit to the nearby Yuyuan Gardens

Day 16 Shanghai

Abreise zu jeder Zeit möglich

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Mongolia

Day 2 Explore Ulaanbaatar

Day 3 Journey from Ulaanbaatar to Mini Gobi

Day 4 Escape to Terelj National Park

Day 5 Elsen Tasarkhai/Gorkhi Terelj National Park

Day 6 Explore Terelj National Park

Day 7 Return to Ulaanbaatar

Day 8 Overnight Train to Beijing

Day 9 Arrival in China

Day 10 Beijing

Head out of town to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Spend time wandering around, taking photos, and picking up souvenirs. In the afternoon head to Tiananmen Squarem followed by a night walk to the local market.

Day 11 Beijing/Xi'an

Due to restrictions in China after the pandemic, the maximum daily capacity in the Forbidden City has been reduced from 80,000 to 30,000. This significant decrease in daily tickets has had a great impact on availability for both individuals and group tours to secure tickets, especially during he summer season. Our local team works very hard to secure tickets for each group. However, on the off chance we are unable to secure tickets to the Forbidden City, we will visit the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven, places of similar architecture and importance

Day 12 Xi'an/Suzhou

Train is our main mode of transport in China and it's a great way to travel. We aim to get the best sleeping berths available on each train journey. However, train tickets availability is limited during peak travel times, including summer vacations and Chinese national holidays. As such, it is possible that the group may be separated into different carriages or assigned top sleeping berths.

Day 13 Suzhou

Day 14 Suzhou/Shanghai

Day 15 Shanghai

Day 16 Shanghai

Wir empfehlen zusätzliche Übernachtungen nach dem Trip zu buchen, damit du Shanghai ausgiebig erkunden kannst.