China Part 2 Silver Ring Tour: 4 Provinces – Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Shanxi (18 Days)

Guests will gather at the designated hotel in Beijing. Free Airport Pick Up: Available for flights arriving at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) between 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Advance notice is required for pick-up arrangements.

Take the Grassland High-Speed Rail and enjoy a scenic journey from Beijing to Hohhot in just 2 hours and 30 minutes, with panoramic views of the Inner Mongolian grasslands. Upon arrival, embark on a Hohhot City Tour, which includes Dazhao Temple, one of the oldest and most important Tibetan Buddhist temples in the region, Sai Shang Old Street, a lively area showcasing local culture and architecture, and Monishan Intangible Cultural Heritage Town, featuring traditional crafts and cultural displays.

Visit the Xiangshawan Desert, where you can hear the desert “sing” as you walk across the dunes. Enjoy a camel riding experience, watch the sunrise over the desert, go stargazing under the clear desert skies, and join a bonfire party to enjoy music and dance under the Milky Way.

Visit the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan, where it is believed that Genghis Khan’s final breath, his soul embodied in camel hair, has been enshrined here for centuries. Then, travel to Ordos, enjoy a desert sunrise, and visit Ikh Oboo, known as China’s first Oboo (sacred stone cairn), a significant spiritual landmark in Mongolian culture.

Enjoy the Ordos Grasslands Experience, where you can go horseback riding across vast grasslands, watch a traditional Mongolian wedding ceremony, and feast on the legendary Zha Ma Banquet, Mongolia’s version of an imperial feast. Savor roast whole lamb, then lay back on the grasslands and stargaze under the Milky Way.

Visit the Western Xia Imperial Tombs, nicknamed the “Eastern Pyramids,” one of China’s largest and best-preserved imperial mausoleum complexes, once the royal resting grounds of the powerful Western Xia Dynasty. Continue to Helan Mountain Rock Art, dubbed the “Stone Book of History,” where carvings spanning over 7,000 years are considered a prehistoric art gallery of global significance, with over 6,000 rock engravings.

Explore the Tengger Desert, China’s 4th largest desert, with a special off-road jeep adventure through the vast sands. Visit Swan Lake and marvel at the desert’s unique beauty. This incredible ecosystem features over 500 oases, 400+ lakes, and 251 open water lakes, with lush vegetation, wildlife, and stunning landscapes unlike anywhere else.

Visit the 108 Pagodas, a rare and magnificent pagoda formation from the Western Xia Dynasty — a large-scale, Lama-style solid pagoda cluster not commonly found in the world. Continue to Qingtong Gorge, rich in cultural heritage and famed for its dramatic natural scenery. The gorge features a blend of majestic cliffs, steep ravines, and tranquil river landscapes, combining grandeur, mystery, and serenity.

Visit Wave Valley (Danxia Landform), often called “China’s Antelope Canyon.” This newly developed scenic area reveals a surreal red sandstone landscape sculpted by millions of years of wind and water. The flowing layers of rock resemble the wrinkles of time — an awe-inspiring natural wonder that feels like stepping into a fantasy world.

Arrive in Xi’an, one of China’s Four Great Ancient Capitals, and explore iconic sights such as the Ancient City Wall, Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and Shuyuanmen Cultural Street Night Market. In the evening, enjoy a Dumpling Banquet Dinner and taste Xi’an’s signature dish — a feast of artistic dumplings with creative shapes and distinct flavors, blending tradition with innovation.

Visit the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang and explore the Museum of the Terracotta Warriors, known for its massive scale and grandeur. Recognized as one of the “Eight Wonders of the World,” this ancient army of life-sized warriors was created to guard China’s first emperor in the afterlife.

Visit the Wan Nian Ice Cave (“Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Cave”) formed during the Quaternary Glacial Period approximately 3 million years ago. Ranked as China’s most significant ice cave, it features stunning frozen formations that last all year round.

Continue to Hukou Waterfall, the Yellow River’s Most Powerful Cascade, known as the largest yellow-colored waterfall in the world and the second largest waterfall in China. This majestic natural wonder combines the beauty of deep gorges, the Loess Plateau, and ancient villages, a breathtaking sight recognized globally.

Visit Guangsheng Temple, a historic Buddhist temple built during the Yuan and Ming dynasties. It is known for its Three Marvels: the Feihong Pagoda, Yuan Dynasty murals at the Water God Temple, and suspended sculptures, all considered rare national treasures.

Continue to the Wang Family Courtyard, a massive residential compound spanning over 250,000 square meters, built over 300 years. Often called “The Forbidden City of Shanxi”, it is one of the finest examples of Qing Dynasty folk architecture, even larger than the actual Forbidden City.

Visit Pingyao Ancient City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the best-preserved ancient city in China, with more than 300 historical sites and nearly 4,000 well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty residences. Continue to Jinci Temple in Taiyuan, a classic ancestral temple and garden complex blending southern Chinese garden elegance with the northern grandeur of towers and halls. It’s considered a masterpiece of historic architecture and landscape art.

Visit Mount Wutai, the first of China’s Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains, and home to Manjusri Bodhisattva. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s a significant pilgrimage destination and spiritual retreat.

Visit the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, built in 1056 AD, it is the oldest and tallest wooden pagoda in the world and an architectural treasure of ancient Chinese engineering. Continue to the Hanging Temple, perched mid-mountain on Mount Cuifeng and supported by 27 wooden beams. This 1,500-year-old temple integrates Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian traditions. A marvel of design that continues to awe visitors today.

Visit the Yungang Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of China’s Three Great Buddhist Grottoes, featuring over 51,000 statues. A pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art, carved into cliffs and caves over 1,500 years ago.

Afterwards, take the High-Speed Rail from Datong to Beijing, a fast and comfortable journey of 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Free Airport Dropoff:

Two scheduled transfers are available from the hotel lobby to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) at: 7:00 AM and 10:30 AM