22 Days Inner Mongolia Grand Tour: Grasslands, Desert & Populus Forest

Arrive at Hailar Gasa International Airport and greet your local guide. Drive north through rolling grasslands where herds of sheep dot the emerald expanse. Stop at the Morigele River, whose winding waterways carve a silver path through the lush steppe. Continue to Ergun, a quiet border town beside Asia’s largest wetland. Settle into your hotel and stroll the peaceful streets as the evening sun casts long shadows over the grassland.

Visit Asia’s No.1 Wetland, where a raised boardwalk trails above marshes teeming with birds and wild flora. The panoramic view from the observation deck reveals the root river twisting like a silver ribbon through the golden landscape. Scan the marshland for swans, cranes, and other migratory species. After lunch, drive to Shiwei, a unique Russian ethnic township where Chinese and Russian cultures blend in log cabins, Orthodox churches, and bilingual street signs.

Optional Excursions

Aoluoqi Manor & Giant Swing

Cross into the Russian borderlands at Aoluoqi Manor, a scenic estate right on the China-Russia border where the Ergun River curves past wooden cottages and open fields. Stroll the grounds, take in the border views, then climb aboard the giant swing for a sweeping look over the river valley and grasslands. A shuttle bus carries you between the manor's highlights.

+$42.00

Advisor quoted

Leave Shiwei and enter the Moerdoga primeval forest, one of the last intact boreal forests in China. Walk beneath ancient larches and birches, their canopy filtering golden light onto mossy trails. Explore the birch forest where white trunks gleam against dark green, then rest in a forest cabin before the drive to Moerdoga town.

Optional Excursions

Forest Mini Train

Board the vintage mini train and roll 9.8 kilometers into the heart of the Greater Khingan range. Once the lifeline of the logging era, it now carries visitors past wetlands, larch and birch forests, wildflowers, and even reindeer. Four stops along the way—step off, breathe in the pine air, and let the forest come to you.

+$31.00

Advisor quoted

Jiliu River Speedboat

For those who want the scenery without the slow drift. Zip along the Jiliu River by speedboat—same dramatic cliffs, same ancient forest, same emerald water, but with the wind in your face and the engine humming. A quick, exhilarating way to take in the river's sharp bends and quiet inlets.

+$38.00

Advisor quoted

Jiliu River Rafting

Drift down the Jiliu River through a 10-kilometer water gallery, winding past steep cliffs and primeval forest on both banks. Mountain poplars stand like welcoming hostesses, white birches line up like immortals in formation. Where the river widens, islands slip past your boat; where it narrows, you're floating through a forest on water.

+$46.00

Advisor quoted

ATV Forest Crossing

Take the wheel and tear through the Greater Khingan forest on a 6-kilometer all-terrain route. This is the forest up close—mud, roots, and pine needles under your tires, with the raw smell of larch and birch all around. A hands-on, adrenaline-fueled way to feel the wilderness that most visitors only see through a window.

+$46.00

Advisor quoted

Drive south from Moerdoga to Manzhouli, a vibrant border city where Russian, Mongolian, and Chinese architecture mingle. Check in and freshen up, then head out for the famous Manzhouli night view. The city center glows with European-style lighting, and the Matryoshka Hotel towers above the skyline. Stroll along the pedestrian streets and sample Russian-style cuisine at a local restaurant.

Explore Manzhouli’s Golden Street, lined with Russian-style storefronts and souvenir shops. Visit Matryoshka Square, home to the world’s largest matryoshka doll tower, and climb to the top for a panoramic view of the city and distant grasslands. Browse the Sino-Russian Trade Zone for imported goods, from Russian chocolate to Mongolian cashmere.

Drive to Hulun Lake, one of China’s largest freshwater lakes. Walk along the north shore where the vast lake meets endless sky. Watch fishing boats dot the horizon and migratory birds glide above the reeds. Enjoy a lakeside lunch of fresh fish before returning to Manzhouli for a free afternoon to explore or rest.

Optional Excursions

Hulun Lake Cruise

Step aboard and sail out onto Hulun Lake—the "Pearl of the Grasslands," one of China's largest freshwater lakes. Glide across open water where sky and lake blur into one, with vast grasslands stretching to the horizon on every side. A quiet, breezy way to take in the sheer scale of the northern frontier.

+$30.00

Advisor quoted

Retrace your route from Manzhouli back to Hailar, watching the grassland scroll past the window one last time. Arrive in Hailar by midday with the option to leave the tour here. Visit the Hailar Memorial Museum of the War of Resistance Against Japan if time allows, or simply enjoy a farewell lunch before departure. Segment 1 ends — you may depart from Hailar.

Depart Hailar and drive south through changing landscapes from steppe to volcanic terrain. Arrive at Arxan, a small town famous for its natural hot springs and volcanic geology. Check into your hotel and soak in the mineral-rich thermal pools, known for their therapeutic properties. The surrounding forest and mountains create a serene atmosphere for relaxation.

Explore Arxan’s volcanic landscape. Visit Tianchi Lake, a crater lake perched atop an extinct volcano, its mirror-like surface reflecting the surrounding forest. Walk through the famous Forest Sea, where ancient trees grow over volcanic rock formations. Discover the Unfrozen River, a stretch of water that stays flowing even in the harshest winter, fed by geothermal heat beneath the surface.

Begin a long drive west to Xilinhot, the capital of Xilingol League. The landscape shifts from forested mountains to open grassland steppe. Arrive in the evening and visit Beizi Temple, a historic Buddhist monastery that has served as a spiritual center for Mongol herders for centuries. The temple’s white stupas and prayer halls stand quietly against the grassland sky.

Spend the morning on the Xilingol Grassland, one of the most pristine sections of the Inner Mongolian steppe. Visit a traditional Mongol ger camp and learn about nomadic life. Explore the Mongol Khan City ruins, an archaeological site that reveals the grandeur of ancient Mongol civilization. Return to Beizi Temple for a second look at its murals and sacred halls.

Drive to Hohhot, the capital of Inner Mongolia. Visit the Inner Mongolia Museum, home to spectacular dinosaur fossils and Mongol imperial artifacts. Stroll along Saishang Old Street, a lively pedestrian area blending traditional architecture with modern cafes. End the day at the Five Pagoda Temple, a stunning 18th-century Buddhist complex with intricate carvings.

Drive to Baotou and visit Wudang Lamasery, a magnificent Tibetan Buddhist monastery built into a mountain valley. Its white buildings and golden roofs gleam against the green hillside. Continue to Ordos and visit the Genghis Khan Mausoleum, a sacred cultural site honoring the great Mongol emperor. The ornate halls display relics and tell the story of his legacy.

Head into the Kubuqi Desert to Xiangshawan, the singing sand dune scenic area. Slide down the dunes and listen to the sand sing beneath your feet. Ride a camel across the golden ridges and try sand boarding. Return to Ordos in the afternoon. Segment 2 ends here — you may choose to depart from Ordos or continue the grand journey into the western desert.

Begin the western desert chapter. Drive from Ordos across the Gobi landscape to Alxa Left Banner. The terrain transforms into vast gravel plains, scattered with drought-resistant shrubs and the occasional camel caravan. Arrive at Bayanhot, a small oasis town at the edge of the Tengger Desert. Prepare supplies and rest before tomorrow’s desert adventure.

Optional Excursions

Dalad Solar Leader Base & "Junma" Power Station

Witness the front line of China's war on desertification. Visit the Dalad Photovoltaic Leader Base, where millions of solar panels double as sand-fixation barriers—a marvel of new energy and ecological restoration. From the viewing platform, take in the "Junma" solar power station, the world's largest solar panel-shaped array, spread across the desert like a silver sea.

+$0.00

Advisor quoted

Sand Therapy

Try the traditional Mongolian sand therapy—a local wellness practice said to ease joint pain and draw out dampness. Let the desert sun warm you as you're gently buried in the sand. A strange, soothing, and unforgettable desert ritual, available right on site.

+$0.00

Advisor quoted

Kubuqi 07 Desert Highway

Drive the legendary desert highway straight through the heart of Kubuqi, China's seventh-largest desert. Sand dunes rise on both sides as the road cuts a clean line through the sea of sand—one of the most striking drives in Inner Mongolia. Hop out for photos, feel the scale of the desert, and watch the dunes shift with the wind.

+$0.00

Advisor quoted

Enter the Badain Jaran Desert in specialized desert vehicles. Visit Bilutu Peak, the tallest singing sand dune in the world at over 500 meters. Climb to the summit for a breathtaking panorama of colored lakes nestled between golden dunes. Explore Badain Lake and Yinderitu Lake, emerald oases that shimmer impossibly among the sand. Camp overnight under the stars.

Wake before dawn to watch the sunrise paint the desert in shades of gold and crimson. The light shifts across the dunes, creating an ever-changing canvas of shadow and color. Later, visit Mandela Mountain to see ancient rock art carved thousands of years ago by nomadic peoples. The petroglyphs depict hunting scenes, animals, and celestial symbols.

Leave the desert and drive north to Ejin Banner. The landscape transitions from sand dunes to barren Gobi plains. Arrive at Juyan Lake in time for sunset. Watch the dying light reflect off the lake’s surface, painting the sky in layers of orange, purple, and crimson. This remote lake is a vital stopover for migratory birds on the Central Asian flyway.

Spend the full day in the world-famous Populus Euphratica Forest. In late September and early October, the trees turn brilliant gold against the blue desert sky. Visit the Three Thousand Years Immortal area, where ancient trees have stood for millennia. Explore the 2nd, 4th, and 8th bridges, each offering a unique perspective of the golden forest and desert landscape.

Optional Excursions

Migratory Bird Observation Experience

Your guide will take you to the optimal bird-watching spots around Juyanhai Wetland during peak avian activity hours, adjusted in real time based on your actual arrival time and weather conditions. （ Migratory bird observation is highly seasonal. The sighting of any specific bird species cannot be guaranteed.）

+$0.00

Advisor quoted

Visit the Khara-Khoto Ruins, the remains of a once-thriving Western Xia dynasty city swallowed by the desert. Walk among crumbling walls and buried temples where archaeologists have uncovered priceless manuscripts. Then explore the Dead Forest, a haunting landscape of petrified populus trees twisted into ghostly shapes by centuries of wind and sand.

Begin the final leg of the journey, driving from Ejin Banner through Alxa Left Banner to Wuhai. The Gobi landscape gradually gives way to the Yellow River valley. Arrive in Wuhai and transfer to the airport or railway station. Tour ends after 21 unforgettable days crossing the full breadth of Inner Mongolia, from grasslands to desert, from forest to ancient ruins.

Final drive south from Ejina to Wuhai, where the Yellow River bends through the desert. The road crosses gravel plains and dry mountains one last time. Arrive in Wuhai by late afternoon — the city sits between river and sand, a fitting endpoint. Your guide helps with luggage and checks your departure logistics. Travelers fly home from here, or catch the high-speed rail east. The Inner Mongolia crossing is complete — steppe to forest to desert to river.