6-Day Beijing Duolun Xilingol Chengde Culture Tour

Early morning Pick up from your hotel in Beijing in the early morning and head to Duolun . Duolun County is an ancient county under the administration of Xilin Gol League. It administrates 2 townships, 3 villages with a population of 300, 000 people with ethnic groups composed of Han Chinese, Hui, Uygur, Tibetan etc. Animal husbandry is its main business including cattle cattle, horse and donkeys. Its farming includes wheat, potatoes and more. It has an abundant historical sites and temples.

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Hotel in Duolun: Yes

After breakfast, pick up from your hotel in Duolun, and first head Dolon-nuur Lake , a placid grassland lake.Then move on to Huizong Temple (汇宗寺) . Huizong Temple was originally built in Duolun by the Kangxi emperor in 1711, and it was staffed by monks from the 120 banners of Mongolia. In the past Duolun (Dolonnor) was also nicknamed "Lama miao", or "Lama temple," named after the many temples located there. One of the two famous temples is Huizong Temple ( Koke Monastery ).

Then further drive to the Site of the Yuan Dynasty Upper Capital (Shangdu or Xanadu) 元上都遗址 for a visit. In 1260, Kublai Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan, established the summer capital at Upper Capital, about 20km northeast of Plain Blue Banner (Zhenglan Qi). When the Yuan Dadu Capital was founded at Yanjing (present Beijing City) in the year of 1264, the imperial system of inspection tour between the two capitals was formed. Upper Capital and Dadu (Grand Capital) became two alternate capitals for the Great Yuan Dynasty, spanning the 108-year reign of 11 emperors in succession.

In this period the Yuan empire controlled a vast territory and thrived, becoming a great power and ushering the new era of the Chinese ancient history and the world history of nomadic nations. Marco Polo, his father and uncle arrived in Shangdu (Xanadu), in 1275 when Marco Polo was at the age of 21. Marco Polo met Kublai Khan soon after arriving in Shangdu.

Enjoy Jinlianchuan Prairie 金莲川草原 (part of the world famous Xilingol Grassland) on which the Yuan Dynasty Upper Capital was built. There are yellow flowers and many other kinds of unknown flowers all over the mountains and plains. The Jinlianchuan Prairie is the most beautiful grassland in Inner Mongolia. It is rich in edible and medicinal plants such as the fern, day lily.

Then further move on to Shangdu (Xanadu) Museum (元上都遗址博物馆) 5km south of the site of Xanadu. It is a two-story building with four exhibition halls, a video room, the antiques room and arts & crafts sections. The museum is focused on the Yuan Dynasty culture, Shangdu (Xanadu)as well as Zhenglan Qi as the main body. The museum has a rich collection of valuable antiques in Yuan Dynasty in addition to the collections from local government and the Inner Mongolia Association of antiques and artifacts.

Stay overnight in Zhenglan Qi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Hotel in Zhenglan Qi: Yes

Picked up from your hotel in Zhenglan Qi after breafast and drive to Xilinhot 243 km - the capital city of Xilingol League. Arriving at the Xilinhot and further head to the West Wuzhumuqin Grassland ( major part of Xilingol Grassland), 150km to the west of Xilinhot.

West Wuzhumuqin Grassland is located in East Wuzhumuqin Banner (Qi), typical of the temperate grassland in China, the best preserved pasture in the Xilingol Grassland. It consists of marshlands, grasslands, sand dunes, and wetlands, which is reputed as the grassland paradise and most beautiful grassland in the northern China. Visit a local herder's family, experiencing the folk customs and enjoy milk products.

Lunch at Genghis Khan Cultural Plaza . While having lunch, enjoy the traditional performances like horse-head fiddle, Mongolian singing and dancing.

Then move on to West Wuzhumuqin Nomadic Tribe: The nomadic tribe is the preserved pasture of the West Wuzhumuqin Grassland, which is the central part of Xilingol Grassland. The Nomadic Tribe Area is very large, the size of over 100 Tiananmen Squares in Beijing. In the nomadic tribe, you have the opportunity to experience the nomadic culture and the pristine grassland scene. You will appreciate the meadow grass, the desert-steppe and the forest, a transition belt from the meadow grass to the forest. One hour sightseeing here to enjoy the picturesque view of the nine-bend river and the birch forest.

16:40 a small scale Naadam will be held at Genghis Khan Cultural Plaza . You will watch the wrestling and horse racing performances. Genghis Khan Cultural Plaza is a reproduction of a splendid and luxury tent palace of ancient Mongolian style, which is located in the heart of West Wuzhumuqin Grassland. It is a paradise for travelers to stay overnight to experience the 13th mythical palace life of the ancient Mongolian world. It boasts over 100 yurts, accommodating 350 people per night.

Have a bite of the traditional dinner in the evening. After dinner, have revels with the locals at the bonfire party under a starry sky.

Stay overnight in a yurt.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Hotel: Two-sharing Yurt

After breakfast, continue to drive south and get to Asihatu Stone Forest for sightseeing. Asihatu Stone Forest is a geological park integrating stone forest, grassland and forest.

Asihatu granite is a rare stone forest landform. Asihatu Stone Forest is the result of years of erosion by wind and sand, and it looks like an ancient castle, towers, bamboo shoots, pillars, lions, gates, Buddha or fairies. The whole Asihatu Stone Forest tourist district is teeming with towering trees, flowers, green grass and mushrooms.

After lunch, move on to Dalinur Lake (Dali Lake) Nature Reserve Keshiketeng Qi. Dalinur Lake is the second largest lake in Inner Mongolia, one of the three swan lakes in China with other two being Bayinbuluk Lake in Xinjiang and Panyang Lake in Jiangxi. The nature reserve has an area of 1200 square km aimed at protecting rare birds and their habitat such as lakes, wetland, grassland, deserts and forest. Viewing the beautiful lake, watching the birds and visit the local museum.

Stay overnight in a hotel at Keshiketeng Qi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Hotel: Yes

After breakfast, drive to Chendge . Chende is located 250 km northeast of Beijing. It has two UNESCO world heritage sites - Eight Outer Temples listed 1994 and Mountain Resort listed in 1997. You will be arranged to visit Mountain Resort and Little Potala Palace .

The Mountain Resort was the largest royal garden during that time. Over two hundred years ago Emperor Kang Xi (1662-1723) happened to find the place while making a hunting trip. It is said that it took 87 years to finish the building of a lavish and ancient palace. The palace is surrounded by a wall over ten kilometers long, meandering along the mountain ridges. It is the largest and best-preserved imperial palace outside of the capital Beijing.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Hotel: Yes

After breakfast, continue to visit Putuo Zongcheng Temple , also called Little Potala Palace. It was built in 1767. It is one of the Eight Outer Temples outside the Summer Resort. It is similar to the Potala Palace in Lhasa. The buildings are a blend of Han and Tibetan styles. It used to be a location for important religion ceremonies, now, it has become an important monument in Chengde. The visit takes about two hours.

After lunch, drive back to Beijing.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Hotel: No