20 Days | Group Tour | Classic | From £6,390pp

Experience two extraordinary countries in one unforgettable adventure on Wendy Wu Tours’ China & Mongolia Heartlands.

Journey through China’s ancient cities and iconic landmarks before crossing into Mongolia, where vast open steppes, traditional nomadic culture and spectacular landscapes await. Along the way, experience everything from Shanghai and the Yangtze River to the Terracotta Warriors, Great Wall of China and Mongolia’s national parks.

The tour includes international flights, accommodation, guided touring and entrance fees, with 18 breakfasts, 17 lunches and 18 dinners included.

Tour Highlights

Discover some of the most memorable sights and experiences across China and Mongolia, including:

• Explore vibrant Shanghai and cruise the Huangpu River
• Enjoy a four-night Yangtze River cruise
• Meet the famous pandas of Chengdu
• See the incredible Terracotta Warriors
• Walk along the Great Wall of China
• Discover Beijing’s Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven
• Experience Mongolia’s fascinating capital, Ulaanbaatar
• Explore the landscapes of Terelj National Park
• Cross the spectacular Central Mongolian Steppe
• Visit a traditional nomadic family
• Sleep beneath the Mongolian stars in a traditional ger camp
• Search for Mongolia’s famous Przewalski’s wild horses

The tour also includes memorable cultural experiences such as preparing and sharing a traditional meal with a nomadic family and panoramic views over Shanghai from Jin Mao Tower.

Your Tour Includes

✓ International flights and current taxes
✓ 18 nights in 2+ to 4-star accommodation
✓ 18 breakfasts, 17 lunches & 18 dinners
✓ Touring with guides and entrance fees
✓ Domestic transportation
✓ Yangtze River Cruise
✓ Huangpu River Cruise
✓ Maximum group size of 28

The tour has a Physical Rating of 1, involving walking, some steps and time on your feet.

Tour Itinerary

Days 1–2 – Fly Overnight to Shanghai

Fly overnight to cosmopolitan Shanghai, known as the ‘Paris of the East’. Depending on your arrival time, the rest of the day is free to begin exploring and soaking up the local culture.

Meals: Dinner

Day 3 – Explore Shanghai

Explore classical Yu Garden, wander through Shanghai’s atmospheric old town and visit a traditional silk mill. Head up Jin Mao Tower for sweeping views across the skyline before strolling along the famous Bund.

Later, take to the water for a panoramic Huangpu River cruise before enjoying traditional Shanghainese cuisine.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 – Travel to the Yangtze

Take the bullet train to Yichang and board your cruise ship for a relaxing four-night journey along the Yangtze River.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Days 5–7 – Yangtze River Cruise

Cruise upstream through some of China’s most spectacular scenery, including the magnificent Three Gorges.

See the enormous Three Gorges Dam and enjoy shore excursions and onboard entertainment. You’ll also take a scenic side trip along either Shennong or Goddess Stream, travelling by smaller boat through lush gorges and hidden valleys.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8 – Historic Ciqikou

Disembark in Chongqing and explore the historic streets of Ciqikou, known for its traditional architecture and porcelain heritage.

Continue to Chengdu and enjoy a delicious Sichuanese dinner, with the option of seeing a performance of Sichuan Opera.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9 – Chengdu Panda Reserve

Visit Chengdu’s renowned Panda Conservation Base to see and learn about China’s much-loved giant pandas.

Later, take the bullet train to Xian. This evening, enjoy traditional Shui Jiao dumplings followed by a colourful performance of Tang Dynasty dancing.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10 – Terracotta Warriors

Come face-to-face with the extraordinary Terracotta Army, one of China’s greatest archaeological discoveries.

Later, walk along Xian’s beautifully preserved 14th-century city walls, enjoy a local beer tasting and explore the atmospheric Muslim Quarter.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 11 – Bullet Train to Beijing

Board the high-speed bullet train to Beijing, China’s fascinating capital where thousands of years of history meet modern city life.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 12 – Imperial Beijing

Visit Tiananmen Square before entering the magnificent Forbidden City. Later, explore the peaceful grounds of the Temple of Heaven.

Finish the day with an exciting Chinese acrobatic show.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 13 – The Great Wall

Spend the morning experiencing one of the world’s most iconic sights – the Great Wall of China.

Continue to a jade factory before exploring the beautiful gardens and landscapes of the Summer Palace. In the evening, enjoy Beijing’s famous Peking duck.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 14 – Fly to Mongolia

Leave China behind and fly to Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. The remainder of the day is yours to begin discovering the city and its culture.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 15 – Explore Ulaanbaatar

Discover Mongolia’s capital with visits to Gandan Monastery, Sukhbaatar Square and the Chinggis Khaan Museum.

In the evening, enjoy a lively folklore concert featuring traditional Mongolian songs, dances and music.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 16 – Terelj National Park

Travel into the Mongolian countryside towards beautiful Terelj National Park, stopping at the impressive 46-metre-high Genghis Khan statue.

After lunch at a ger camp, explore the park’s scenery, including Turtle Rock and the Temple of Meditation, before returning to Ulaanbaatar.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 17 – Travel to Karakorum

Cross the vast Central Mongolian Steppe towards the Bayan Gobi sand dunes, sometimes described as a ‘mini-Gobi Desert’.

Continue to historic Karakorum, where you’ll learn about this UNESCO World Heritage Site and visit Turtle Stone Hill.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 18 – Wild Horses of Khustai

Visit Erdene Zuu to witness the monks’ morning chants before spending time with a nomadic family and helping prepare a traditional Mongolian meal.

Continue to Khustai National Park, home to Mongolia’s famous Przewalski’s horses, before travelling to your premium ger camp surrounded by the rolling steppe.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 19 – Return to Ulaanbaatar

Travel back to Ulaanbaatar and enjoy lunch followed by a free afternoon.

In the evening, come together for a farewell meal and reflect on an incredible journey through China and Mongolia.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 20 – Fly to the UK

Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.

Meals: Breakfast

Places Visited

UK → Shanghai (2 nights) → Yangtze River Cruise (4 nights) → Chengdu (1 night) → Xian (2 nights) → Beijing (3 nights) → Ulaanbaatar (3 nights) → Karakorum (1 night) → Khustai National Park (1 night) → Ulaanbaatar (3 nights) → UK

China & Mongolia Heartlands

20 Days | Group Tour | Classic

From £6,390pp

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