Top 10 China tours 2024/2025 for first visits and returns: embark on a lifetime experience. Learn more
5-Day Xilamuren Grassland and Kubuqi Desert Tour

Inner Mongolia Grass & Sand

5-Day Xilamuren Grassland and Kubuqi Desert Tour with Nomadic Life Experience

This 5-day private trip to the middle of Inner Mongolia will allow you to enjoy fantastic views of the vast grasslands, stay overnight in a traditional Mongolian yurt, experience local nomadic life, have fun in Kubuqi Desert, and engage with the life of Genghis Khan and his Mongol Empire.

We recommended it to you if you want to experience the highlights of Inner Mongolian at your own pace and especially to families.

Tour 'Wow' Points

Explore the Hinterland of Xilamuren Grassland

Enjoy a horse riding into the hinterland of the grassland to appreciate the best views without the crowds.

Xilamuren Grassland
have a light walk in the grassland

Feel the Grandeur of the legend of the Mongol nationality

Watch an exciting live-action performance — "The Legend of Monan" —that brings 13th-century Mongol warriors and Naadam customs to life.

watching horse racing
watching archery and wrestling

Stay Overnight in a Traditional Mongolian Yurt

There are many grassland "hotels" of different standards. We only arrange authentic, comfortable Mongolian yurts with the best available facilities.

a traditional Mongolian yurt
Mongolian yurt

Experience the Local Nomadic Life

Visit a local herdsman's home and learn about grassland life. Experience making Mongolian milk tea, feeding lambs, and talking with nomads.

Feeding the lamb
cow milking and milk tea making

Try Some Fun Activities in Kubuqi Desert

Visit Resonant Sand Bay and enjoy leisurely activities like camel riding, sand sliding, and trail biking or more challenging activities like karting, surfing, parascending…

have fun in kubuqi desert

Enjoy a Mongolian-Style Zhama Banquet Dinner

Dress up in Mongolian costume, taste delicious Mongolian food, listen to Mongolian stringed instruments playing, and watch Mongolian dancing.

Mongolian-style Zhama banquet dinner
Mongolian banquet dinner

Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

Tour Map

Xilamuren Grassland and Kubuqi Desert Tour Map

Itinerary Quick Look

Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests.

Day 1 Hohhot Arrival | Airport Transfer

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.

Day 2 Xilamuren Grassland | Experience the Nomadic Life

In the morning, go to Xilamuren Grassland with 2 hours' driving. Visit Hongge'er Aobao Scenic Area, where you will watch a large-scale live-action performance, including Mongolian horse racing, archery and wrestling.

Have a horse riding in the peaceful hinterland of Xilamuren to measure some of the vastness of the picturesque grassland on the horse back.

Enjoy a Mongolian-style Zhama Banquet dinner. Stay overnight in a traditional Mongolian yurt.

Day 3 Xilamuren Grassland to Dalad Banner | Local Herdsman Home Visit

Enjoy the sunrise on the grassland. Then visit a local herdsman's home. Experience milking cows, making Mongolian milk tea, feeding the lambs, talking with the herdsman, and learning about their life on the grassland.

On the way from the grassland to Dalad Banner, explore Wudang Lamasery, which is one of the four most famous lamaseries in Northwest China.

Stay overnight in Dalad Banner of Ordos City, where Kubuqi Desert is located, so that you will have easy access to the desert in the morning and avoid the crowds.

Day 4Kubuqi Desert | Have Fun in Resonant Sand Bay

Resonant Sand Bay (the breeze-blown dunes make sonorous murmurs) is the No. 1 desert resort destination in China. It is a large and well-developed tourism site where you can go sightseeing or have fun.

You will have a whole day in the desert to enjoy all kinds of interesting desert activities. You could experience the pleasure of art and sports with artistic gymnastics, aerobics, breakdancing, beach volleyball, etc. or you could experience more challenging sports and activities such as desert adventures, an aerial cableway, sand surfing, trail bikes, etc.

Day 5 Ordos/Hohhot Departure | Ordos City Tour and Mausoleum of Genghis Khan

In the morning, visit Kangbashi District (once known as "China's biggest ghost city", now a thriving super-modern environment) to enjoy the pleasant urban scenery of Ordos City.

Explore the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan — the impressive cenotaph devoted to the worship of Genghis Khan.

After the tour, your guide and driver will transfer you to Ordos Airport or Hohhot Airport for your departure.

Hotel Selection

—the Icing on the Cake

Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.

hotel room in Turpan
Caravan on the lake bank
the hotel in the valley
FromCNY 7543/ USD 1185p/p Based on a private tour for 2 people. Price varies depending on program, travel date, number of people and chosen hotel

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-1

Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day.

Number in your group

What's your hotel choice?

I prefer to be contacted via:

Start planning your tailor-made tour with 1-1 help from our travel advisors. Create Your Trip

Sign up to Our Newsletter

Be the first to receive exciting updates, exclusive promotions, and valuable travel tips from our team of experts.

Why China Highlights

Save Your Time

Save Your Time

  • Less research, more enjoyment!
  • Real-time 1V1 expert planning.
  • Seamless coordination
Maximize Your Flexibility

Maximize Your Flexibility

  • Your own personal guide and ride.
  • Explore at your own pace.
  • Unparalleled flexibility, impossible on a group tour.
Ensure Your Satisfaction

Ensure Your Satisfaction

  • Well-trained elite 20% of guides.
  • 20% vacancy on vehicles.
  • 24/7 emergency support.
Live Your China Story

Live Your China Story

  • Authentic local culture and lifestyles.
  • Understand the culture by living it.
  • Uncover fascinating histories and witness New China.
Rated 5 out of 5 | 98.8% Excellence
China Highlights International
Travel Service Co., LTD
Featured on
China Highlights was featured on these medias.

Address: Building 6, Chuangyi Business Park, 70 Qilidian Road, Guilin, Guangxi, 541004, China