The Ancient Tea Road, an 8-day self-driving tour from China to Mongolia

🚆 Starting from Erenhot City in Xilin Gol League, crossing the border to Zamyn-Üüd, a border city in Mongolia, then taking the train from Zamyn-Üüd to Ulaanbaatar is a classic travel route for many visitors longing to visit Ulaanbaatar. 🚙 Since you’ve crossed the border, it’s a pity to only visit Ulaanbaatar. From Zamyn-Üüd to Ulaanbaatar, the southern and eastern regions of Mongolia, with their endless grasslands, vast forests, sacred temples, and ancient historical sites, are all worth stopping to explore. Self-driving is highly recommended! 🥳 With the May Day holiday approaching, let’s drive across the border, visit Mongolia, enjoy the scenery, taste the food, and appreciate the culture! Please save this 8-day travel guide! ✅【Recommended Detailed Itinerary】 Day 1️⃣ From all over the country → Erenhot Erenhot City in Xilin Gol League has the largest land port between China and Mongolia—the Erenhot Port. It’s best to start your self-driving trip here. After arriving in Erenhot, check into a hotel, enjoy some local food, and rest before setting off. 🏡 Accommodation Guide: There are many hotels, inns, and guesthouses near the National Gate Scenic Area, South Bus Station, and Dinosaur Square near Erenhot Station. 🥢 Food Guide: Must-try Xilin Gol lamb (whole roasted lamb, hand-held lamb, lamb skewers); dairy products (cheese, milk tea, milk tofu); Mongolian fried rice, cold mixed sand onions, etc. Day 2️⃣ Erenhot → Zamyn-Üüd → Sainshand After breakfast at the hotel, head to the road border to complete exit formalities, drive out of China, enter Mongolia at Zamyn-Üüd border, complete entry formalities, arrive at Zamyn-Üüd, then proceed to Sainshand City (capital of Dornogovi Province). 📸 Recommended check-in spots: 【Khamar Monastery】—【Eye of God】—【Energy Mountain】—dinner—stay overnight at a local hotel in Sainshand. ❤️ Friendly reminder: When visiting temples, please remove hats, do not touch artifacts, and avoid loud noises. Day 3️⃣ Sainshand → Terelj After breakfast, drive to a nature reserve in the Khentii Mountains, 【Terelj National Park】—check in at 【Turtle Rock】 to admire the strange rock formations. On the way, you will pass through 【Choir】 in Dundgovi Province, where you can have lunch. Next, visit the 【Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue】 in Erdenet County. Arrive at 【Terelj National Park】 in the evening, enjoy stone-grilled meat for dinner, and stay overnight in a Mongolian yurt. Day 4️⃣ Terelj → Ondorkhaan After breakfast, get ready and head to the capital of Khentii Province, 【Ondorkhaan】, now named Genghis Khan City. In the afternoon, visit the 【Lin Biao Plane Crash Site】 to remember history, then arrive at 【Ondorkhaan】, have dinner locally, and stay at a hotel. Day 5️⃣ Ondorkhaan → Ulaanbaatar After breakfast, drive to 【Ulaanbaatar】, have lunch, check into the hotel, then visit Ulaanbaatar city center’s 【Sukhbaatar Square】—climb 【Zaisan Hill】 to overlook Ulaanbaatar—【Zaisan Memorial】—【Genghis Khan Museum】. After dinner, return to the hotel to rest. Day 6️⃣ Ulaanbaatar After breakfast, continue exploring Ulaanbaatar by visiting 【Gandan Monastery】—【Bogd Khan Museum】. After lunch, you can shop at the 【Mongolian State Department Store】. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Mongolian ethnic performance at the 【Ulaanbaatar State Opera and Ballet Theatre】, then admire the night view of Ulaanbaatar. Day 7️⃣ Ulaanbaatar → Sainshand After breakfast, drive back to 【Sainshand】. On the way, you can visit any missed attractions or revisit favorite spots. Stay overnight at a hotel in Sainshand. Day 8️⃣ Sainshand → Zamyn-Üüd → Erenhot After breakfast, head to Zamyn-Üüd border, clear customs, re-enter Erenhot, rest here for one night, and return the next day. ❤️ Friendly reminder: If you have more time, you can continue self-driving to explore other banners and counties in Xilin Gol League. 📌Tips: 1. Please apply for an e-visa in advance before crossing the border and bring your passport on the day of departure. 2. An off-road vehicle is recommended for self-driving. 3. The grasslands have large temperature differences between day and night; prepare long sleeves, long pants, sun protection, insect repellent, rain gear, etc. 4. Mongolia’s voltage is 220V; bring a power adapter. 5. Respect local ethnic customs and protect the grassland environment. - 🚗 Mongolia is one of the countries with the longest sunshine hours in the world. This trip not only lets you enjoy the much-anticipated “Ulaanbaatar nights” but also lets you freely gallop across the grasslands, ☀️ watch the beautiful sunrise on the eastern grasslands, the “place where the sun rises,” and check in at scenic spots along the way to experience exotic charm. 👉 This May Day, why not cross the border and visit Mongolia? Let’s go! -