Spring Asia | Journey Across South Korea, Mongolia and China

The coming of spring offers an opportunity for an East Asian adventure of remarkable contrasts – from the Instagram-worthy cherry blossom season in South Korea’s buzzing capital of Seoul, to timeless pastoral traditions in the remote nomadic camps of Mongolia, and finally to the imperial grandeur of Beijing’s Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China. Linking Mongolia and China, we will travel on the legendary Trans-Mongolian Railway – a true bucket-list experience for many travellers.

While Korea has much to explore, a few days are enough to see the main sights in and around the capital and enjoy the magical backdrop of bright pink blossoms in full bloom. Highlights of Seoul range from ancient palaces to vibrant modern shopping districts, and a day trip from the city offers the chance to delve deeper into the country’s fascinating nature and culture.

Mongolia, by contrast, remains shrouded in a mystery despite its gradual opening to the world. This vast, landlocked nation between Russia and China is home to only around three million inhabitants. With grassland and desert steppe landscapes covering an area the size of Western Europe, a large share of the population still upholds its ancestral nomadic heritage. Here, more than half of Mongolia’s nationals continue to live in round yurts, or gers, which are as mobile as the people themselves. Yet Mongolia is a country of striking contrasts. There is a clear divide between its capital, Ulaanbaatar – with its upscale restaurants and high-end boutiques – and the rural heartlands, where traditional ways of life remain firmly rooted.

Genghis Khan, regarded as the founding father of Mongolia, came to power in 1206. By uniting several nomadic tribes in the northeast, he laid the foundations of what would become the world’s largest contiguous empire – surpassed only by the British Empire in the 19th century. In just a few decades, his cavalry conquered a realm greater in both size and population than that of the Romans at their peak.
It is hardly surprising that he is revered as a national hero, immortalised by an imposing 40-metre-high statue – the world’s largest equestrian monument – located in a complex just outside Ulaanbaatar.
Today, Mongolia is undergoing rapid change. Yet despite these transformations, its country dwellers, scattered across immense landscapes with limited communication, remain unfailingly hospitable – always ready to welcome a visitor with a bowl of warm, salty milk tea.

After exploring Mongolia’s sweeping wilderness and vibrant capital, the journey continues south along one of the world’s most storied rail routes. Boarding the Trans-Mongolian train in Ulaanbaatar offers a gentle transition from the steppe to the cities of China, with hours of evolving scenery framed by the carriage windows. The steady rhythm of the train, conversations in the dining car, and the gradual shift in landscape create a sense of travelling through time as much as through geography.

Beijing greets travellers with an immediate sense of scale and history. Its landmark attractions are impressive not only for their grandeur, but also for the way they bridge imperial tradition and modern urban life. A visit to the Forbidden City offers a glimpse into the former seat of Chinese power, its courtyards and halls laid out with a precision that reflects centuries of dynastic rule. From there, a day trip to the Great Wall reveals the sheer ambition of ancient engineering – watchtowers marching across rugged mountains in a way that almost defies belief when seen in person.

Yet some of Beijing’s most memorable moments are found in its quieter corners. The hutongs, with their narrow lanes and traditional courtyard homes, provide a more intimate view of the city’s daily rhythm. Small cafés, family-run noodle shops and simple scenes of local life offer a striking counterpoint to the imposing monuments and broad avenues elsewhere in the capital.

Let’s go!

Day 0 // Departure
Meeting at airport for a direct flight to Seoul.

DAY 1 // Arrival in Seoul
Welcome to Seoul, the energetic capital of South Korea and a major hub for commerce, fashion, beauty and youth culture. After arrival and hotel check-in, enjoy an easy first day to recover from travel while getting an authentic taste of local life.
Visit Noryangjin Fish Market, where stalls are piled high with fresh seafood and you can watch vendors and buyers in action or sample a simple meal. Continue on to Museum Kimchikan to learn how Korea’s most famous dish is made and why it is such an essential part of everyday life. In the evening, head to the Banpo Bridge area for a relaxed riverside stroll and views of the illuminated bridge before returning to the hotel to rest.

DAY 2 // Seoul & Cherry blossoms
After breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide in the lobby and set out for a full day of sightseeing around Seoul. Begin at Jogyesa Buddhist Temple and then witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony before visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace (or Deoksugung Palace on Tuesdays), with time to explore its grand courtyards and palace buildings. Stop at Cheongwadae Sarangchae (or the National Palace Museum on Mondays) to gain more insight into Korea’s history, then visit a Ginseng Center before a lunch break at your own expense. In the afternoon, browse traditional shops and galleries in Insadong, then continue to busy Namdaemun or Dongdaemun Market to experience the city’s lively street scenes and bargain-filled stalls. Finish the day with a ride on the N Seoul Tower cable car (tower admission without lift) for panoramic views of the city, and then be dropped off in the Myeongdong or City Hall area for an evening at leisure.

DAY 3 // Cherries in countryside
Leave the city behind this morning for an escape into the lakes and hills of Gangwon-do. Drive towards Chuncheon, where we'll visit Alpaca World to meet gentle alpacas in a mountain setting, or opt instead for a scenic rail bike or canoeing at Chuncheon Mulle-gil, along the Bukhan River. Continue to Mt. Samaksan for one of Korea’s longest cable car with sweeping views over Uiam Lake. In the afternoon head to Nami Island, known for its cherry-lined avenues, riverside paths and famous K-drama filming spots. Free time to stroll or relax in the shade. Return to Seoul in the evening, free time at leisure.

DAY 4 // Mongolia – Ulaan Battar
In the morning short flight to Ulaan Battar, capitol of Mongolia.
We’ll start with Sukhbaatar Square, the city’s grand central plaza, framed by the Parliament House and statues of Mongolia’s national heroes, for an introduction to the country’s political and cultural heart. Continue up to the Zaisan Hill Memorial, a Soviet-era monument perched on a ridge above the city, where wide views open over Ulaanbaatar and the surrounding hills. In the evening, experience a traditional Mongolian folk performance, with music, dance and perhaps a taste to set the tone for your journey.

Day 5 // Terelj National Park & Ger Life
Begin the day at Gandan Monastery, the spiritual heart of Mongolian Buddhism, where monks gather for prayers beneath towering temple halls. Next we'll leave the city and drive east to the Genghis Khan Statue Complex, where a gleaming 40-metre equestrian statue of the Great Khan rises from the steppe; explore the small museum beneath and climb up inside the monument for panoramic views. From here, continue into Gorkhi–Terelj National Park, a landscape of granite outcrops, larch forests and wide meadows. Stop at the iconic Turtle Rock, a natural formation shaped like a giant turtle, then, time permitting, make the short walk up to Ariyabal Meditation Temple, a peaceful hilltop sanctuary overlooking the valleys below. Later, visit a local nomadic family to sample traditional dairy products and learn about the rhythms of Mongolian nomadic life. In the evening we'll settle in a Terelj ger camp, enjoying the quiet of the countryside under big Mongolian skies.

Day 6 // Modern Ulaan
Enjoy breakfast in the ger camp before drive back, watching the steppe slowly give way again to the city’s skyline. On the way, stop at Sain Nomuun Monastery, a lesser-visited Buddhist complex that offers a more intimate glimpse of contemporary religious life. Back in the capital, visit the Bogd Khan Palace Museum, the former winter residence of Mongolia’s last spiritual and political ruler, with richly decorated temples and chambers filled with thrones, gifts and ritual objects. In the late afternoon, visit local bazaar and souvenir shopping.

DAY 7 :: Trans-mongolian train to Beijing
Today we board the Trans-Mongolian train in Ulaanbaatar and settle into our compartments as the city slowly slips away and the wide Mongolian steppe opens up outside the window. The first hours are spent watching familiar scenes of grazing horses, distant gers and rolling grasslands, all framed by the steady rhythm of the train on the tracks. As the route bends south, the landscape gradually changes, becoming more rugged and varied, with hills, valleys and scattered settlements marking the approach to the Chinese border. We’ll have time to read, chat with fellow passengers, visit the dining car for a simple hot meal and step into the corridor to photograph the views as they unfold. By evening, after border formalities, the train continues through the night towards Beijing, and you fall asleep to the gentle motion of the carriage, crossing quietly from the vast Mongolian steppe into northern China.

DAY 8 :: Arrival in Beijing & Hutongs
Arrive in Beijing at 14:35, where you are met at the station and assisted with a smooth transfer into the city. After check-in, set out to explore the historic hutongs, wandering through narrow alleyways lined with traditional courtyard homes. As you walk, soak up the everyday rhythm of local life, from old men playing cards to tiny shops selling snacks and trinkets. Continue to nearby markets or commercial streets, where you can browse for souvenirs and get a first taste of modern Beijing’s energy. Return to the hotel in the evening and unwind after your journey, overnight in Beijing.

Day 9 :: Forbidden City & Great Wall
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before setting out for a full day of sightseeing in China’s capital. Begin with a guided visit to the Forbidden City, the vast former imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, with its grand halls, courtyards and rich symbolism. Learn about the lives of emperors and the rituals of court life as you move through this UNESCO-listed complex. In the afternoon, drive out to the Great Wall at Juyongguan, where you have time to walk along the ancient ramparts and take in sweeping mountain views. Return to the hotel in the evening for some free time at leisure and overnight in Beijing.

Day 10 :: Temple of Heaven & Departure
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel, followed by check-out. This morning, visit the Temple of Heaven, an elegant complex of temples and altars once used by emperors to pray for good harvests. Stroll through the surrounding park, where locals often practise tai chi, dance or play traditional games, giving a relaxed glimpse of everyday Beijing life. After some free time for a final walk or last-minute shopping, transfer to the airport in the afternoon. Bye, bye East Asia!

In brief:
DAY 1 :: Arrival in Seoul
DAY 2 :: Seoul & Cherry Blossoms
DAY 3 :: Cherries in countryside
DAY 4 :: Mongolia – Ulaan Battar
DAY 5 :: Terelj National Park & Ger Life
DAY 6 :: Modern Ulaan
DAY 7 :: Trans-mongolian train to Beijing
DAY 8 :: Beijing & Hutongs
DAY 9 :: Forbidden City & Great Wall
DAY 10 :: Temple of Heaven & Departure

Level of difficulty: Easy, available for everyone
Accommodation & meals: Hotels - double sharing, 1 night aboard a train in soft sleeper, shared cabin. Meals excluded.

Cost: AED 14,370 all inclusive of flights and train until MAR 30.
Past this date cost will change.

Specifically excluded: Meals, visa, insurance.

Visas:
· Korea: Most passports get visa on arrival, based on The Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA). Other passports - third party visa agency only.
· Mongolia: visa free or e-visa.
For passports non-eligible for visa on arrival, entry permit 150 USD + 90 USD payable on arrival.
· China: EU, AUS passports visa free, except Czech Republic, Lithuania and Sweden. Other passports - third party visa agency only.

It is sole responsibility of participant to secure entry to country of destination.

See yah in Spring Asia x

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