Inner Mongolia Core Wilds & Culture
If you are looking for the best off-the-beaten-track summer vacation experiences in central Inner Mongolia without missing out on the key cultural sights, this tour is highly recommended for you.
On this 8-day private trip from Hohhot to Ordos, experience local nomadic life and fantastic views on Huitengxile Grassland, then hike on majestic mountains and a volcano! See the region's largest lamasery and enjoy Mongolian handicrafts, then adventure out into the hinterland of Kubuqi Desert. Lastly, visit Genghis Khan's tomb.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Our China Highlights Beijing experience exceeded our expectations
What an amazing experience. Jiang our guide blew us away with his passion for and knowledge of his country. He made our Beijing visit a memorable experience. He ensured that our daily activities were personalised and seamless. He was very pro-active and flexible, and applied a personal touch, often sharing personal stories and finer details. more
Mar 2025, Jacques
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Eye opening and amazing China
In Beijing for 3 days. Laura is our private tour guide. She is amazing and very detailed oriented. She is also knowledgeable and always able to answers all our questions. Everything is taken care of by her from the moment we step into Beijing. Totally worry free. This is a amazing trip . She had also arranged a surprise for us once we know we came to China for our honeymoon, she arranged my wife to have traditional costume fitted so that we can have a memorable time at summer palace and greatwall. The pictures turned out amazing, and she helped us take so many great shots. At the end of the trip, she even surprised us with a small token gift, which was unexpected and very touching and sweet. Thank you for your warmth and sincerity, it's clear that she loves her job. Highly recommended to book with China Highlights. The entire process was great, and the staff is very responsive, very warm, very kind and helpful. more
Mar 2025, POWER W @powerw.369
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special time in Beijing
great time in Beijing ! Our guide Ethan was amazing . Our flight arrived late at night and as soon as we got our bags we saw his smiling face . He always had great ideas of places to go and extra things to do at night. He even organized a celibration for our wedding aniversary on the great wall of China, imagine coming to the top of the wall and finding flowers,wine & and a banner saying ``Happy Aniversary`` truely a once in a lifetime event . thank you Ethan & China highlights more
Mar 2025, Barbara J
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Tour 'Wow' Points
Escape from the Summer Heat in a Flowery Grassland
Enjoy a horse ride to appreciate the best views of Huitengxile Grassland. Visit Huanghuagou, which is a unique valley on the grassland
Climb Up a Unique Volcanic Crater and Photograph Spectacular Views
Visit Wulanhada Volcano Geopark, which is a volcano cluster on the Mongol grasslands.
Experience Local Nomadic Life
See Mongolian archery and wrestling, enjoy minority folk singing and dancing, join in a grassland bonfire party, stay overnight in a traditional Mongolian yurt.
Kubuqi Desert Hinterland Adventure with Camel Riding, Sunset Shoot, Barbecue, and Camping
Ride a camel into the depths of the desert, appreciate the stunning views of a desert sunset, enjoy a barbecue dinner, camp in the desert, and see the incredibly starry sky.
Enjoy a Kubuqi Desert Off-Road Vehicle Experience
You will drive into the hinterland of Kubuqi Desert, an area far from the crowds, then get on an off-road vehicle and experience an exciting ride including sliding down 45° sand dunes.
Measure the Grandness of the Yin Mountains with Your Feet.
Hike on Daqing Mountain, which is part of the Yin Mountain Range, where you'll have panoramic views of fantastic natural beauty.
Experience Key Mongol Culture
See the region's largest lamasery and explore Inner Mongolian Museum, visit Genghis Khan's tomb, engage with the life of Genghis Khan and his Mongol Empire.
Hohhot Baotou Ordos Tour Map
Itinerary Quick Look
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests.
Your private driver and guide will be ready for you when you arrive in Hohhot. Enjoy a trouble-free transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is your own to explore Hohhot.
In the morning, head to Huitengxile Grassland (2 hours' driving). Visit Huanghuagou ('Yellow Flower Valley') to appreciate multifaceted natural beauty — peculiar stones, unique peaks, and colorful alpine meadows.
In the afternoon, enjoy Mongolian singing and dancing, and watch Mongolian archery and wrestling.
After an ethnic-flavor bonfire party in the evening, stay overnight in a traditional Mongolian yurt.
Visit Wulanhada Volcano Geopark, which is a volcano cluster on the Central Inner Mongolia grasslands.
Walk up the wild slopes, pass large exposed volcanic eruption deposits, and climb to the top of a volcano crater for a science-fiction sensation.
In the afternoon, return to Huitengxile Grassland. Enjoy a horse ride to measure some of the vastness of the grassland the local way, and stay in theme by returning to your Mongolian yurt.
Enjoy the sunrise on the grassland. Then go to Daqing Mountain with 2 hours' driving. It is part of the Yin Mountains, which divide the Mongolian Plateau to the north and the Hetao Plain to the south.
The hike will take about 5 hours. You will pass ancient birch forests on the way to the top of Daqing Mountain, where you'll have a panoramic view of fantastic natural beauty. In the afternoon, visit Inner Mongolia Museum.
Stay overnight in Hohhot.
In the morning, visit Intangible Cultural Heritage Town. There, you can learn about Mongolian folk arts and handicrafts by experiencing Mongolian yurt building and erecting, dough making, paper cutting, and leather painting.
Head to Baotou with 1½ hours' driving. There, visit Wudangzhao Lamasery, which is the biggest and the best-preserved lamaic monastery in Inner Mongolia. (A form of Tibetan Buddhism was the Mongols' main religion until the 19th century and has seen a recent revival.)
Stay overnight in Baotou.
In the morning, drive to the hinterland of Kubuqi Desert, get on an off-road vehicle and experience an exciting ride including sliding down 45° sand dunes.
Then visit the Kubuqi Desert's 'Singing Sands' (Yemingsha) with a half-hour drive. Enjoy a satisfying camel ride as you venture deep into the hinterland of Kubuqi Desert.
Appreciate the stunning views of the desert sunset, enjoy a barbecue dinner, camp in the desert, and see the incredibly starry sky for an unforgettable wilderness experience.
In the morning, enjoy the sunrise over the desert.
Then go to Ordos with a 2½-hour drive, and visit Kangbashi District. Once "China's biggest ghost city", it's now a thriving super-modern environment — how much can change in 10 years! Enjoy the pleasant urban scenery of Ordos City.
Nearby, explore the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan — the impressive cenotaph devoted to the worship of Genghis Khan — the Mongols' hero.
Stay overnight in Ordos City.
Your private guide and driver will transfer you to Ordos Airport for your departure.
Hotel Selection
—the Icing on the Cake
Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.
Price Includes:
- Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
- English speaking local guide
- Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
- 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling
Tour code: nm-3