5 Days Xilamuren Grassland, Kubuqi Desert

Tour summary

Sparkling azure waters that stretch from horizon to horizon await at the end of this 5 day Lhasa to Yamdrok Lake tour. Spend a little under a week exploring the highlights of the Tibetan world and some of its most sacred sites. From the glistening white walls of Potala Palace with its commanding view to the lively streets of Barkhor this tour will open the door to this enigmatic land. Lhasa City is the heart of Tibet, and it can be felt when there amongst the locals and pilgrims from the landscape. This tour will allow enough time to immerse yourself into to the culture and enjoy the sites. It’s also a perfect addition to any trip in Asia.

Tour photos

Day 1: Hohhot Arrival

Picked up at airport or train station, transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is yours to rest, or walk around in the city.

Day 2: Hohhot- Xilamuren Grassland

After breakfast, drive to Xilamuren Grassland. In Mongolian language, Xilamuren means “yellow water”, it’s about 90km away from Hohhot in the north. On arrival, you are welcomed warmly by locals wearing traditional Mongolian costumes. They will greet you with a silver cup of wine and Hada, reach out with both hands. After that, you can choose to take a walk through the prairie or ride a horse(optional at your own expense). After lunch, go to Honggeer Aobao, “aobao” was originally a road sign piled with stones on the vast grassland, now it becomes a place for offering sacrifices and praying for harvest and peace. In the grand “Sacrificing Aobao” ceremony, you can experience traditional Inner Mongolian folk customs. At dinner time, dressed up in Mongolian clothes, watch locals perform music and dances while enjoying a traditional Mongolian feast. In the evening, join the bonfire party.

Day 3: Drive to Whistling Dune Bay and to Dalad Banner

In the morning, you can wake up early to watch sun rise slowly from the distant horizon in the grassland. After breakfast, drive to Xiangshawan (aka Whistling Dune Bay) in Kubuqi Desert. Take the cable cars to visit two of the five themed areas: Xiansha Island and Yuesha Island. There are various activities including camel riding, sandsurfing, sandbiking, desert golf etc. (optional at your own expense). Finally, drive to Dalad Banner.

Day 4: Drive to Hohhot: Zhaojun Tomb, Dazhao Temple, Saishang Old Street

After breakfast, drive to visit Zhaojun Museum, it is 9km away from the southern suburb of Hohhot. The tomb inside was firstly founded in the Western Han Dynasty to memorize Wang Zhaojun who is one of Four Beauties in ancient China. She helped to unite Han people with Xiongnu Empire. Continue to visit Dazhao Temple, it was built in 1580, the earliest Huangjiao temple of Tibetan Buddhist Monastery in Hohhot. Around the temple, you will visit Tongshun Street to taste local cuisines. And in Saishang Old Street, you will find buildings of Ming and Qing Dynasties’ architectural styles.

Day 5: Inner Mongolia Museum & Departure

In the morning, visit Inner Mongolia Museum, you will understand the development of the Mongolian Plateau. The exhibition hall also displays the artifacts of northern nomads in China, as well as the worlds’ largest dinosaur fossils from the Cretaceous Period. Later, transfer to the airport, tour ends.