11-Day Eastern Asia Northern/Scenic Route (Mountains, Nature): China & Mongolia in July
Embark on a soul-stirring journey through the heart of Eastern Asia's northern frontier, where the Great Wall meets the endless horizon of the Mongolian steppe. This 11-day route is designed for the hardcore backpacker, prioritizing local transport, cheap street food, and the raw beauty of high-altitude landscapes during the vibrant peak of summer.
July is the perfect window for this region, offering warm days and the chance to witness the Naadam Festival in Mongolia. By leveraging budget overnight trains and dorm beds, you can navigate these vast territories while keeping your daily spend to an absolute minimum.
The Itinerary
Day 1: Beijing, China - Arrival & Hutong Life
Beijing Capital Airport Arrival
Land in the capital and take the Airport Express train to the city center, then transfer to the subway to reach your hostel in the Dongcheng District.
Street Food Lunch in Nanluoguxiang
Wander through ancient hutongs (alleys) and grab cheap Jianbing (savory crepes) or steamed buns for under $2.
Jingshan Park Sunset
Pay a tiny entrance fee (approx. $0.30) to climb the hill for a panoramic view of the Forbidden City.
Hostel Meetup
Check into a highly-rated hostel like Peking Youth Property to find travel buddies for the Great Wall.
Day 2: Beijing, China - The Wild Great Wall
Bus to Huanghuacheng
Skip the expensive tours; take a local bus to the lakeside section of the Great Wall for a rugged, free hiking experience.
Picnic on the Ramparts
Eat snacks bought from a local supermarket to avoid tourist-priced restaurants near the wall.
Return to Beijing
Navigate back to the city using the public bus network, enjoying the scenic mountain views along the way.
Wangfujing Night Market
Explore the famous market; look for the cheaper side stalls for local noodles and snacks.
Day 3: Beijing to Datong (China) - Ancient Grottoes
High-Speed Train to Datong
Take a budget-friendly second-class seat on the train to Datong, a journey of about 2 hours.
Yungang Grottoes
Visit this UNESCO site featuring thousands of ancient Buddhist statues carved into the sandstone cliffs.
Datong City Walls
Walk or rent a cheap bike to circle the massive, reconstructed city walls for a sunset view.
Local Sliced Noodles
Dine on Datong’s famous 'Dao Xiao Mian' (knife-cut noodles) for just a few dollars.
Day 4: Datong, China - The Hanging Temple
Local Bus to Mt. Hengshan
Take a public bus to the base of the mountain to see the architectural marvel of the Hanging Temple.
Hanging Temple View
Admire the temple from the base if the entry fee is too high; the view from the canyon floor is spectacular and free.
Nine-Dragon Screen
Head back to the city to see the oldest and largest glazed tile screen in China.
Check-in & Rest
Secure a bed in a local guest house to save on costs before the next leg of the journey.
Day 5: Datong to Hohhot (Inner Mongolia, China)
Bus to Hohhot
Take a long-distance bus across the border into Inner Mongolia, watching the landscape transition to rolling grasslands.
Inner Mongolia Museum
Visit this massive, free museum to learn about the nomadic history of the Mongol people and see dinosaur fossils.
Dazhao Temple
Explore the oldest Buddhist monastery in the city and the surrounding vibrant market streets.
Mongolian Dairy Snacks
Try local yogurt and cheese bread from street vendors for a cheap, authentic dinner.
Day 6: Hohhot, Inner Mongolia - The Grasslands
Xilamuren Grassland Excursion
Join a local shared van to the grasslands. In July, the grass is at its greenest and most scenic.
Nomadic Experience
Watch traditional wrestling or horse racing, which are common during the summer months.
Nature Walk
Hike away from the tourist camps to find peaceful, untouched stretches of the Mongolian plateau.
Stargazing
Enjoy the crystal-clear night sky over the high-altitude plains before returning to the city.
Day 7: Hohhot to Erlian (China/Mongolia Border)
Train to Erlian
Board a slow train to the border town of Erlian, known for its dinosaur fossils and desert landscape.
Dinosaur Fairyland
Visit the 'Dinosaur Gate' and the open-air sculptures that celebrate the region's paleontological history.
Market Bartering
Explore the border markets where Russian, Chinese, and Mongolian goods are traded at low prices.
Border Prep
Rest early and ensure all your travel documents are ready for the international crossing tomorrow.
Day 8: Erlian to Ulaanbaatar (China/Mongolia)
Border Crossing
Cross from Erlian (China) to Zamyn-Uud (Mongolia) via a local jeep or the international train.
Zamyn-Uud Train Station
Wait for the overnight train to Ulaanbaatar. The 'Hard Sleeper' class is the quintessential budget choice.
Gobi Desert Views
As the train moves north, watch the Gobi Desert scenery unfold from your window.
Train Socializing
Share stories and food with Mongolian locals on the train; it's a great way to learn basic phrases.
Day 9: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia - Capital Discovery
Sukhbaatar Square
Arrive in the capital and walk to the massive central square to see the statue of Genghis Khan.
Gandantegchinlen Monastery
Visit this historic monastery to see the 26-meter-high gilded statue of Megjid-Janraisig.
Zaisan Memorial
Climb the steps for the best free view of Ulaanbaatar and the surrounding mountains.
Naran Tuul Market
Visit the 'Black Market' for the cheapest Mongolian cashmere or souvenirs (watch your pockets!).
Day 10: Terelj National Park, Mongolia - Mountain Escape
Public Bus to Terelj
Take the cheap local bus from the Peace Avenue stop to Gorkhi-Terelj National Park.
Turtle Rock & Aryabal Temple
Hike to the famous Turtle Rock and climb to the Aryabal Meditation Temple for stunning mountain vistas.
Riverside Hike
Walk along the Tuul River, enjoying the alpine scenery and fresh mountain air.
Ger Stay Experience
Spend your final night in a traditional Ger (yurt) for a fraction of the price of a hotel.
Day 11: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia - Departure
Last Mongolian Breakfast
Enjoy a final bowl of Tsuivan (fried noodles) before heading to the airport or station.
Choijin Lama Temple Museum
If time permits, visit this hidden gem of an architectural complex in the city center.
Souvenir Shopping
Pick up some local sea buckthorn products or pine nuts as affordable gifts.
Transfer to Chinggis Khaan Airport
Take the shuttle bus to the new international airport for your flight home.
Best Time to Visit Asia
July is peak summer in Northern Asia. In Beijing, expect hot and humid conditions with occasional rain. However, this is the absolute best time for Mongolia and Inner Mongolia, as the grasslands are lush, the temperatures are pleasantly cool in the mountains, and the sky is a vivid blue. Be mindful that July also coincides with the Naadam Festival (July 11-13), which is an incredible experience but requires booking transport well in advance.
Visas & Border Crossings
The China-Mongolia border crossing at Erlian/Zamyn-Uud is one of the most classic overland routes in Asia. Ensure you have your Chinese visa (if required) secured in advance, as port-of-entry visas are rare here. For Mongolia, many nationalities enjoy visa-free entry for up to 30 days. When crossing overland, be prepared for long waits at customs; using the international train is more comfortable but more expensive than the local jeep/bus combination.
Getting Around Asia
In Northern China, the high-speed rail network is efficient but can eat into a budget; choose 'K' or 'T' class slow trains for significant savings. In Mongolia, the 'Russian' style sleeper trains are the most cost-effective way to cover long distances. Within cities, use apps like Baidu Maps (in China) and local buses to avoid taxi scams. For cross-border travel, the Trans-Mongolian railway remains the legendary choice for scenic mountain and desert views.
