TRIP OVERVIEW
The Great Wall is the universal symbol of China. Starting from the eastern Shanhaiguan Pass, and ending at the Jiayuguan Pass in the west, the Great Wall fully merits its designation as a wonder of the world. This 5 days Great Wall trek route is carefully designed for the Great Wall enthusiast who would like to experience the best parts of the eastern Wall, but who has only limited time.
This excursion covers different areas of the "Wild Wall" fairly close to Beijing, but which most tourists never have a chance to see. As a special opportunity offered to Great Wall hiking enthusiasts, this excursion will transverse the best hiking sections of the Huangyaguan, Jianshanling, Guibeikou, Jiankou, Huanghuacheng, and Xishuiyu Great Wall. During this trip we will not only see the different types of Great Wall architecture and military design, but we will visit some villages at the bottom of the Wall and experience the day-to-day life of local people there. It goes without saying that photographic opportunities will be amazing!A really unique experience!
- Day-by-Day Itinerary
- Price Policy
- Tour Remarks
(B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
DAY 1 Beijing - East Qing Tombs - Huangyaguan (LD; 6km; 3-3.5hrs)
This morning, we will drive about 3 hours to the spectacular East Qing tombs, which far-surpass their more famous predecessors, the Ming Tombs, both in splendor and in majesty. These tombs form a countryside version of the Forbidden City and are nearly as elaborate. Tastefully restored for the most part, this Imperial City is vast, grand, and less crowded. After lunch, a half-an-hour-drive will bring us to a small village near Huangyaguan Pass. From here, we will hike for about one hour-ad-a-half, westward, to Huangyaguan Pass. Huangyaguan is situated in a beautiful valley in the heart of the Yanshan Mountains. As we start our walk heading up the steep renovated steps, we will come to what appears to be a sheer cliff face. This is where we encounter "Heaven's Ladder", a steep climb of over 200 steps leading up the precipice to the top! After this climb, you will surely appreciate the difficulties the builders must have had constructing this massive defence!
Overnight at the courtyard hotel in Huangyaguan (two beds per room, with private washroom).
DAY 2 Huangyaguan - Jinshanling - Wohushan (BLD; 8km; 4 hrs)
After a refreshing breakfast, a scenic drive of about 2.5 hours takes you to the next and our favourite section of the Great Wall, upon arrival, we will continue to hike eastward from Jinshanling toward the Simatai section of the Wall. Our hiking on Jinshanling stops at Wuyan tower where we could enjoy a good view of Simatai Great Wall and overlook the surrounding. Then we will down to meet our driver in the parking lot at the bottom of Jinshanling. Lunch in a local restaurant.
Then we will take a short drive to Wohushan section of the Great Wall for another 2 hours hiking. Wohushan (Crouching Tiger Mountain) Great Wall straddles on the rocky mountains of Wohushan— so named because two distinct peaks resemble a pair of tigers, one looks up and the other bends down. The Wall winds through Wohu Shan for 13.6 kilometer; along the way, 20 towers decked its spine. Our hike will cover part of them. This is the Wall which is not seen by tourists.
Overnight in the hostel at the bottom of Jinshanling itself (two persons per room, with private washroom).
DAY 3 Jinshanling to Gubeikou (BLD; 10km; 5-6 hrs)
After a refreshing breakfast, we will start our third day's trek westward from Jinshanling to the General Tower in Gubeikou, although we will have to trek a short distance away from the Wall, along a country road, to bypass a restricted military area. But today's trekking will be fairly easy, because the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall is still kept well. At the end of the hike, transfer to Xishuiyu.
Overnight in the guest house near Xishuiyu Great Wall (two persons per room, with private washroom).
DAY 4 Huanghuacheng to Xishuiyu section of Great Wall (BLD; 8km; 4 hrs)
After breakfast, we will start our hike westward to Xishuiyu. This section of the Great Wall is named for the sea of yellow wildflowers that bloom in the late spring and early summer, giving sudden exhilarating life to this aged portion of the Wall - "Huanghua" in Chinese means "yellow flower". The hike today is not too long, but it is very special – we could see the Great Wall running into a beautiful reservoir at the bottom. The reservoir was built in 1974, and when the water level rose, some low-lying sections of the Wall were submerged. Seen from the dam of the reservoir, the stately sunken wall is still visible under the water's smooth surface. This portion of the Wall was built during the 1500's, and we will examine some of the ancient structures (e.g. towers, gates) as we hike along.
After picnic lunch at the Great Wall tower, we continue along broken parts of the Wall towards the Xishuiyu Lake with spectacular views. We'll descend down to the lake and take a short boat tour around the lake, viewing spectacular parts of the wall underwater. At the end of our hike, we will drive to the Jiankou section of the Wall, where we will enjoy a comfortable night in the home of a local family (2 beds with private washroom).
DAY 5 Jiankou - Mutianyu (BL; 10 km; 4-5 hrs)
Today we will spend the day on the Jiankou and Mutianyu section of the Wall. We will take a small mountain trail behind one of the villagers' houses straight up to the wall. This part takes about one hour, and it is not that easy, but it allows one can imagine how the invaders felt, creeping upwards in the fog, the huge wall emerging directly above them, the guards on duty still-unaware, having their tea. When we get to the top, you will find the effort worth it - there is a deserted watch-tower right where we emerge onto the Wall, from which you will have a panoramic view of the whole valley, of the Great Wall village below, and of the wall itself, snaking and disappearing over the mountain crest. This is a great place to catch your breath and take pictures.
The hike along the wall will take about 4 hours, and it is unlikely you will meet any other tourists along the way. Although the Wall follows the mountain crest, it is gently undulating and, although there are areas of disrepair to be navigated with care, it is fairly-easy hiking. One highlight is the enemy observation tower known as, "Ying Fei Dao Yang", so named because this watchtower was erected on the highest peak in the area, and eagles and hawks often perch on it. Although the majestic wall is slowly being conquered by small trees and brambles, the view from the top is still stunning! What a change, emerging from the peaceful, authentic section of the Wall, so full of history, onto the restored portion of the Wall at Mutianyu , full of tourists! At the end of the hike, transfer back to Beijng downtown.
-End of Tour-
The tour cost includes
- Local transportation: A private vehicle (land cruiser in the desert, bus or mini-van elsewhere) will accompany us for the entire tour. While we are trekking, our vehicle will transfer our food and luggage to the appointed site or hostel and wait.
- Equipment, as required: tents and mats for sleeping bags when camping, rope (very necessary in some parts of the Wall), water (4 liters per person per day), 2-way radios, compass, first aid kit, GPS.
- Leader: Experienced English-speaking tour leader.
- Entrance fees: All first-entrance tickets to the tourist spots mentioned in the itinerary.
- Accommodation: twin and tri-share clean guest house in the small counties or villages, and tents in the desert and at certain unique camping spots mentioned in the itinerary.
- Meals: All meals as indicated in the itinerary, with some simple picnic lunches while trekking on the Wall.
- Travel agency liability insurance.
The tour cost does not include
- Personal gear required: if camping, a sleeping bag sufficiently warm to protect against minus 20°C (-4°F) in Jan-March, against -10°C or -5°C (14°F- 23°F) in April and May, against 0-5°C (32°-41°F) in June. Also: hiking boots; raincoat; cap; camera; sun-cream; sun-glasses; pocket knife; day-pack, etc.
- Expenses of a personal nature: favorite snacks, soft drinks, laundry , local or long-distance calls, etc.
- Tips to tour guide and driver (recommended USD8-10/guest/day).
- Tourist accident insurance. NB - you are strongly suggested to buy travel and health insurance before you start out from your home country.
- Any service persons to carry personal belonging while trekking (although this can be arranged, it should be unnecessary - participants should find that trekking with a single day-pack for personal items should suffice).
- Single supplement costs (for those who want accommodation on a single basis).
- Visa to China.
- Domestic and international flights and related airport taxes not listed in the itinerary.
- Supplementary trips, entrance fees and services not mentioned, and extra costs due to unforeseen circumstances.
Cancellation and Refund Policy for Tours Reservation
| Cancellation in advance |
Cancellation penalty |
| More than 30 days |
No Cancellation Fee |
| 30-10 days |
50% of the full payment |
| 9-0 days or no show |
100% of the full payment |
- Be aware of your own limitations - acrophobia, heart problems, and diabetes may be cause enough to stay home.
- It is very important to have health and accident insurance before taking any Great Wall hiking tour. Be sure to carry insurance information, and emergency contact information with you, on any hike.
- Be sure to have a good breakfast at least an hour before starting a strenuous hike.
- It is deceivingly hot to walk on the Wall under the sun. Be sure to bring along, and to drink, enough water to keep yourself from becoming dehydrated.
- You may consider bringing a first-aid kit in your day pack, in case of emergencies, especially if hiking alone. Items to consider carrying include medication against diarrhea, oral re-hydration powder or tablets, antiseptic cream for minor cuts, waterless hand-soap, liquid against upset stomach, and potentially medication to prevent motion sickness if you have a long bus ride. Another item to consider is insect repellant, depending on the location and the season.
- For excursions with a long drive at the beginning or end of the day, you may consider bringing a CD player to enjoy as we travel, but plan on leaving it with the vehicle when we leave (it will be safe), rather than bringing it with you on the trek.
- Walk slowly during the first hours to condition your body to trekking. Never run or walk fast.
- Because many parts of the Wall are broken and loose, sensible footwear is essential.
- Be aware of the danger: in many places, especially on mountain tops, the wall is broken and loose; many parts are not only difficult and strenuous but also dangerous! Be very careful!
- Keep a safe distance from the person in front of you while walking up any steep broken wall to avoid being hit by falling stones.
- Keep a safe distance from the edge of the wall, or any opening or break in the wall; these areas are the first to become loose or broken, and therefore may not be safe. Be sure to obey any warning signs that are posted.
- If you need to use a rope bridge, don't run, jump, shake, or push.
- Don't lean against the wall to rest without first verifying that it is still secure, and that its stones have not become loosened.
- Preserve the Wall – think green! Leave nothing except your footprints, take nothing except photographs and garbage.
- In summer, rain showers and/or thunderstorms are quite common while hiking on the Wall. Be sure to power-off your mobile phone in any bad weather - using a cell phone in an electrical storm can be fatal!!!
- Although our leaders have 2-way radios with them on many hikes, there is limited coverage in some areas. Because some parts of the Wall are really rough, participants must behave as a team, helping each other where appropriate.
- Don't wander off on your own - stay with the group.
- There are local people selling bottled water and even Coca Cola along some sections of the Wall. They generally charge four or five yuan for each container, so you are recommended to drink water already-provided, or to carry your own.
- In any areas which are very touristy, you are likely to be followed by vendors who want to sell you books, post cards, and other souvenirs. You must firmly say "No!" to them right away, otherwise you will be followed for the whole walk. And be careful not to say "I'll buy on the way back" – they remember your face and will expect you to keep your promise!
- Dress appropriately: it is important to bring clothing appropriate to the weather, and you should also be prepared for surprises. Hiking can get hot, so it is good to dress in easily removable layers. It's usually a few degrees colder in the mountains than in the city, and the wind can get quite strong on the tops of the mountains. Bring something waterproof in case of rain, and a hat to protect yourself from the sun.
