Hidden China & Inner Mongolia Adventure Tour

To truly understand China, you've got to get out and meet it on its own terms, which is exactly what this 12-day trip through the country's northern reaches delivers. Up here, you'll get to the big stuff (the Great Wall, Xi'an's Terracotta Army, Beijing) and lesser-known treasures that only the hardiest of travellers ever get to see: village life in Inner Mongolia, the amazing Yungang Buddha Caves, and the nearly 3,000-year-old city of Pingyao, to name just a few.

Highlights

Envision ancient times at the Great Wall of China, live like a local in an Inner Mongolian ger, marvel at the Hanging Monastery of Datong, stare down the Terracotta Warriors, learn traditional Chinese painting in Pingyao

What's Included

Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Local Living Moment: Ger Homestay, Darhan Muminggan Lianheqi Your Hands
On Moment: Chinese Painting Lesson, Pingyao. Great Wall excursion and entrance. Inner Mongolia city tour. Traditional Mongolian ger stay. Yungang Grottoes visit (Datong). Hanging Monastery visit. Local family visit with Chinese painting lesson (Pingyao). Terracotta Warriors excursion including local lunch with a farmer's family (Xi'an). Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City tour (Beijing). All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

Accommodation

Hotels (8 nts), traditional ger (1 nt, multi
share), sleeper train (2 nts)

Meals Included

10 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Transport

Train, private van, public bus, walking

Group Leader Description

Your G Adventures group trip is accompanied by a G Adventures Chief Experience Officer (CEO) in China. The aim of your CEO is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. G Adventures CEOs are experts in their region with a broad, general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local expert guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting
we think it's the best of both worlds.

Emergency Fund

Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster) require a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!

Solo Travellers

We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi
share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

Spending Money

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

What to Take

What you need to bring depends on the trip you have chosen and the countries or regions you are planning to visit. We suggest that you pack as lightly as possible as your are expected to carry your own luggage. As a rule we try not to have to walk more than 15
20 mintues with your bags which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 10
15kg/22
30lb. Suitcases are not recommended for G Adventures trips! Most travellers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size (no XXL ones please!) as they need to fit under the beds when travelling on sleeper trains. You will also need a day pack/bag to carry water, cameras and other electronics like ipods and mobile phones. Do not bring any knives or swords into China (gifts or otherwise). If they do make it into the country, they will not be permitted on trains. If you purchase a knife or sword while travelling elsewhere before arriving in China your best option is to post/mail it home before entering the country as no post/mail companies in China will accept it as a parcel.