From Mongolia via Beijing and Xi’an to Shanghai (2026/2027)
starting at 3.820 €

Trans-Mongolian Railway | An Adventure by Train

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17-day train trip from Ulaanbaatar to China

Asia

China

Mongolia

12–20 people

17 days

Look forward to the endless expanses of the Mongolian steppe and nights under a starry sky—join us on a train journey into the Earth’s past! Travel by rail from the solitude of Mongolia through the Gobi Desert before immersing yourself in the bustling hustle and bustle of China’s capital, Beijing, for a change of pace. As another highlight, you’ll visit the famous Terracotta Army of China’s first emperor before marveling at the futuristic metropolis of Shanghai.

Stephanie Gräf

A specialist in personalized and exciting trips around the globe.

I am your contact person for questions and bookings regarding your trip.

You can reach me by phone or email:
+49 (0)201 858 90 960
welcome@inventia.de

Select consultation appointment

HIGHLIGHTS

Overnight stays in a yurt surrounded by breathtaking scenery
Experience nature and vast open spaces like never before in the Mongolian grasslands
A true rarity: A regular train ride through the Gobi Desert
Visit to the Yungang Grottoes and the Hanging Monastery in Datong
Visit to the Great Wall
The Terracotta Army: A Global Sensation
Opportunity to ride the Transrapid
Breathtakingly Modern Shanghai

route

itinerary

Day 1: Flight from Germany to Ulaanbaatar

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar

After arriving in Ulaanbaatar, you’ll explore the Mongolian capital on a city tour. During the tour, you’ll visit the Gandan Monastery, Sukhbaatar Square, and the Genghis Khan Museum. You’ll spend the night at a hotel in Ulaanbaatar. (MA)

Day 3: Through Mongolia

Today you’ll set off into another world—the world of the nomads! Breathtaking, untouched nature! You’ll travel to Elsen Tasarchai, where the mountains meet the steppe, visit the fascinating shifting sand dunes, and hike through the Hogno Haan Mountains to a mountain monastery. You’ll spend the next three nights in authentic Mongolian yurts under what we hope will be a starry sky. (FMA)

Day 4: Karakorum and Erdene Zuu Monastery

Today you’ll travel to Karakorum and visit the ruins of Genghis Khan’s former capital. Also on your itinerary: the sprawling Erdene Zuu monastery complex. It was once home to 1,000 monks, but has been a museum for the past 50 years. (Distance: approx. 100 km, 2 hrs) (FMA)

Day 5: Hustain-Nuruu National Park

In Hustai Nuruu National Park—with its pastures and watering holes, ideal for the reintroduction of Przewalski's horses—you'll visit the information center and can even go for a ride. You'll spend the night in a traditional yurt. (FMA)

Day 6: Ulaanbaatar

Today you will return to Ulaanbaatar, where you will visit the impressive summer palace of Bogd Khan and spend the night at the hotel. (FMA)

Day 7: Off to China!

After breakfast, you'll have some free time before boarding the train to China. You'll spend the night on board. (B)

Day 8: Erlian and Datong

In the morning, your train will arrive in Erlian. You’ll continue by bus (travel time: approx. 6 hours) to Datong, where you’ll stay for two nights at a comfortable hotel. (FA)

Day 9: Datong

You’ll visit the famous Yungang Grottoes (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), which feature magnificent Buddhist sculptures carved into steep sandstone cliffs over a length of 1,000 m and are among China’s most significant places of worship. The complex comprises 53 richly decorated temple grottoes! Back in Datong, you’ll visit the Huanyan Monastery and the Nine-Dragon Wall. (FM)

Day 10: Off to Beijing!

In the morning, you'll marvel at the Hanging Monastery of Hengshan, and after lunch, the magnificent wooden pagoda of Yingxian. In the afternoon, you'll take a high-speed train to Beijing. (FM)

Day 11: Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square

In the morning, you’ll visit the Temple of Heaven, China’s largest temple complex. In the temple gardens, you can watch locals practicing tai chi, dancing, or playing cards. The afternoon’s highlights include Tiananmen Square, the entrance to the former Forbidden City, and the vast Imperial Palace, the residence of the Ming and Qing emperors. (FM)

Day 12: The Great Wall

In the morning, you’ll visit the Summer Palace, a masterpiece of Chinese garden design. Afterward, you’ll take a trip to a section of the Great Wall that’s still very unspoiled and perfect for a long walk. Then it’s back to Beijing. (FM)

Day 13: Xi’an, the Ancient Cultural Capital

After breakfast, you’ll take a high-speed train to Xi’an. Once the starting point of the Silk Road, Xi’an is a famous ancient cultural city that served as the capital of twelve dynasties and still boasts a large number of cultural landmarks today. You’ll tour the 600-year-old city wall, stroll through the Old City, and visit the Great Mosque. (FM)

Day 14: The Terracotta Army—A World Sensation

Today, you’ll come face-to-face with 2,000 years of Chinese history. China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, had a massive mausoleum built during his lifetime, guarded by thousands of terracotta warrior figures. Remains of this complex were not discovered until 1974; today, several thousand figures have been excavated, partially reconstructed, and are on display in three halls. Later, you’ll visit the Great Wild Goose Pagoda. (FM)

Day 15: Off to Shanghai!

Today, we’ll travel to Shanghai by high-speed train. Look forward to spectacular skyscrapers and colonial-style buildings, the unique Glass Art Museum, and the trendy Tianzifang district with its narrow alleys, cozy cafés, and exciting shops. You’ll be staying at a hotel in Shanghai for the next two nights. (FA)

Day 16: Shanghai

Today you will visit the famous Jade Buddha Temple. Built in 1882, it is one of the most famous temples in southern China. The temple houses a priceless reclining statue carved from white jade. After lunch, you’ll visit the Old Town. As you stroll through the narrow streets and alleys, you can still get a sense of the bustling yet cramped life of pre-revolutionary China. In the Tianzifang art district, you can admire and purchase souvenirs. To round off the day, you’ll stroll along the famous Bund, Shanghai’s spacious boulevard of international renown, lined with stately colonial-era buildings. Finally, you’ll enjoy a farewell dinner. (FMA)

Day 17: Flight Home

Transfer to the airport and return flight. (B)

Information

Included services:

Flights from Frankfurt to Ulaanbaatar and from Shanghai to Frankfurt in Economy Class (with a layover)
Overnight train ride from Ulaanbaatar to Erlian in a four-bed compartment (we'd be happy to request a two-bed occupancy for you)
Express train ride from Datong via Beijing to Xi'an and Shanghai in 2nd class
2 nights at a mid-range hotel in Ulaanbaatar
3 nights in yurt camps with shared restroom facilities
2 nights at a comfortable hotel in Datong
3 nights at a comfortable hotel in Beijing
2 nights at a comfortable hotel in Xi’an
2 nights at a comfortable hotel in Shanghai
Meals as per itinerary (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
German-speaking local tour guide
Transfers, excursions, and sightseeing tours, including admission fees as specified in the itinerary