Empire & Horizon – A Romantic Journey through China & Mongolia

Tour Highlights

• Tour through Shanghai, Xi'an, Beijing, Ulaanbaatar, Mini Gobi (Desert) and more
• Delve into China's rich history at Shanghai History Museum
• View Shanghai's incredible skyline from the Bund
• Explore Yu Garden and wander through the historic streets of Shanghai's Old Town
• Enjoy a boat ride on Hangzhou's scenic West Lake
• Indulge in tea tastings of Longjing Tea at Meijiawu Tea Village
• Admire the beauty of Suzhou's UNESCO-listed Lingering Garden
• Enjoy a cruise on China's oldest Grand Canal

Itinerary at a Glance

1. Day 1: Australia (or New Zealand) – Shanghai, China — Today, you'll depart from Australia (or New Zealand) to Shanghai. Upon arrival, you'll be met by a tour representative and transferred to the hotel where you can enjoy the remainder of your day at lei
2. Day 2: Shanghai – Echoes of the Past & Evening Enchantment — Journey into the stories that shaped modern Shanghai with a visit to the Shanghai History Museum. Through immersive exhibits and carefully preserved artefacts, trace the city's transformation from a q
3. Day 3: Shanghai – Hangzhou — Begin with a visit to the iconic Bund, Shanghai's most elegant riverside promenade. Here, the Huangpu River divides two worlds: to the east, Pudong's soaring skyscrapers; to the west, graceful Europea
4. Day 4: Hangzhou – Suzhou | Gardens, Waterways & Threads of Time — Travel to Suzhou, the 'Venice of the East', founded in 514 BC and long celebrated for its canals, stone bridges and quiet lanes. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Lingering Garden, a jewel of cla
5. Day 5: Suzhou – Zhengzhou — Board a high-speed bullet train and glide northward through changing landscapes toward Zhengzhou. Upon arrival, visit the striking, pyramid-shaped Henan Museum — a modern architectural landmark guardi
6. Day 6: Zhengzhou – Shaolin Temple — Full-day journey into the spiritual heart of Chinese martial arts — Shaolin. Venture into the forested mountains of Henan to visit the legendary Shaolin Temple, revered as the birthplace of Kung Fu an
7. Day 7: Zhengzhou – Xi'an — Depart aboard China's high-speed rail toward Xi'an, once the eastern gateway of the Silk Road. Visit the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum — thousands of life-sized soldiers, chariots and horses s
8. Day 8: Xi'an – Beijing — Depart Xi'an by high-speed train to Beijing. Upon arrival, visit 'Tongrentang', a traditional Chinese health centre where you'll learn about the philosophy of balance and harmony through acupuncture,
9. Day 9: Great Wall of China — Visit a jade museum to learn about this sacred stone, revered for over four thousand years as a symbol of virtue, harmony, and immortality. Enjoy a scenic drive through rolling countryside, pausing to
10. Day 10: Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City (or Temple of Heaven) — Visit Tiananmen Square, one of the largest and most symbolic public squares in the world. Vast and awe-inspiring, it feels like the very heartbeat of the nation, where history, ceremony, and modern Ch
11. Day 11: Beijing – Ulaanbaatar | From Imperial Capitals to the Eternal Steppe — Fly north to Mongolia, a land defined by boundless horizons and ancient traditions. Nearly a quarter of the population continues to live as nomads, dwelling in traditional gers and carrying forward cu
12. Day 12: Genghis Khan Statue & Terelj National Park | Legends of the Steppe — Depart eastward to the magnificent Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue Complex, a powerful tribute to Mongolia's national hero and one of history's most influential leaders. Explore the museum and don a tr
13. Day 13: Ulaanbaatar City Tour | Soul of the Steppe Capital — Discover the heart of Ulaanbaatar. Begin at Zaisan Memorial Hill for sweeping panoramic views across the city and Mongolia's vast landscapes. Explore Gandan Monastery with its magnificent 26-metre sta
14. Day 14: Mongol Nomadic Show & Mini Gobi Desert | Echoes of the Steppe — Begin with a vivid celebration of Mongolia's traditions at a Mongol Nomadic Show with displays of horsemanship, masterful archery and vibrant cultural performances. Drive to Elsen Tasarkhai (Mini Gobi
15. Day 15: Erdene Zuu Monastery & Kharkhorum Museum | Stones of Faith, Echoes of Empire — Explore the revered Erdene Zuu Monastery, the oldest Buddhist monastery in Mongolia and a significant centre of Tibetan Buddhism. Enclosed by white walls and punctuated with sacred stupas, wander thro
16. Day 16: Hustai National Park – Ulaanbaatar | A Gentle Farewell to the Steppe — Travel approximately 390 kilometres back to Ulaanbaatar, pausing at Hustai National Park, a protected sanctuary where rolling hills and open skies shelter the rare Przewalski horse — a living symbol o
17. Day 17: Ulaanbaatar – Australia (or New Zealand) — Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Australia (or New Zealand).
18. Day 18: Arrive Australia (or New Zealand) — Welcome home after an unforgettable journey through China and Mongolia — a passage through time, culture and spirit.

What's Included

• Return international full-service flights (economy class)
• 1 internal flight: Beijing to Ulaanbaatar
• 3 high-speed train journeys within China (or domestic flights if unavailable)
• 16 nights of 3 and 4-star hotel and Ger camp accommodation
• Shanghai: Courtyard by Marriott Jiading or similar (4-star)
• Hangzhou: Fubang International or similar (4-star)
• Suzhou: Suyuan Hotel or similar (4-star)
• Zhengzhou: Aloft Hotel or similar (3-star)
• Xi'an: Metropark Huanyu Hotel or similar (3-star)
• Beijing: Ramada Beijing North or similar (3-star)
• Ulaanbaatar: Premium Hotel Ulaanbaatar or similar (4-star)
• 3 nights in traditional tourist Ger camps
• 28 meals including daily breakfast and a traditional meal with a Mongolian nomad family
• 16 breakfasts
• 6 lunches including traditional Peking Duck lunch
• 6 dinners including home-cooked Hutong dinner and Mongolian farewell dinner
• Private air-conditioned vehicles
• 3 high-speed rail journeys (or domestic flights)
• Return airport transfers