10 day trekking tour of the Great Wall
This trekking tour of the Great Wall of China covers seven Great Wall sections in five days. You will be able to appreciate the different types of Great Wall architecture and military designs. The hike enables you to explore some of the most beautiful sections of the Great Wall that most people will never get a chance to see. Nevertheless, this excursion is not for the faint of heart; it provides a good physical challenge!
Day 1 Beijing
Arrive in Beijing, our China representative will be at the airport to welcome you & transfer to your hotel. Rest of day at leisure.
Day 2 Beijing
We start with a visit to Tiananmen Square, considered the heart and soul of the nation and which can apparently fit over a million people. We then head out to the impressive Forbidden City aka the Imperial Palace, home to 24 emperors since it was built almost 600 years ago and having over 10,000 rooms. This is followed by a visit to the Summer Palace, the largest and most complete imperial garden existing in China. It was first built in the 12th century as an imperial palace and occupies an area of 304 hectares featuring hilly and water scenery. Next is a trip to Peking University, aka Bei Da, one of the country's most prestigious educational institutions. Established during the Qing Dynasty, its architecture is rather unique in Beijing. Tonight dinner at local restaurant for the famous Peking Duck. (B/L/D)
Day 3 Beijing
Our first stop today is the Temple of Heaven, once forbidden for "commoners" and foreigners to visit. Built almost 600 years ago for emperors to worship heaven and pray for good harvest, it is full of uniquely interesting structures, such as the Echo Wall. Lama Temple. The biggest lamasery in Beijing, it was built over 400 years ago and then turned into a temple devoted to the cult of the living Lama. Covering an area of 66,000 m², it is particularly interesting for its combination of mainstream Han and ethnic Tibetan Buddhist architecture. A hutong Richshaw tour will continue this fascinating visit. You will be able to see the real side of Beijingers' traditional lifestyle, enter their homes and talk with them. Unfortunately giving way to skyscrapers, renewed courtyard houses and whatnot, hutongs were once the only form of local urban dwelling. We will then go to Hou Hai, an old imperial lake that attracts park goers, weekend fishermen, etc, but which has in recent years established itself as the bohemian part of the city, with stores, cafes, restaurants and bars. This area is indeed a mixture of tradition and modernity, in a way reflecting China's reality. Tonight to see the famous Peking Opera. (B/L)
Day 4 Simatai - Jinshanling Great Wall (Hiking Level: Challenging)
The first part of trek will be very challenging. You will cross a bridge at the start of the hike and you will hike up steep steps straight up on a mountain range. Although a demanding section, you will be rewarded with some spectacular views of the Great Wall snaking away on the surrounding mountain range. Picnic lunch in one of the beacon towers. Beacon towers provide a cool refuge on a hot day on the Wall.
Continue the trek to the Jinshanling part of the Wall. You will get to Jinshanling just in time to relax and enjoy the breathtaking sunset. Overnight night at local hotel or hostel Take advantage of your night out on the Wall to enjoy some of the best star watching. (B/L/D)
Day 5 Jinshanling - Gubeikou Great Wall (Hiking Level: Easy)
Get up early and climb up the Wall to catch the sunrise. Have breakfast then start trekking west towards General Tower in Gubeikou. Note that you will not be able to hike the entire route on the Wall. Since we will be passing an off limits restricted military zone, we will steer away from the Wall for a short part of the hike. Transfer to Xiangshui lake Great Wall, overnight stay in a local village hotel or hostel. (B/L/D)
Day 6 Xiangshuihu Lake - Jiankou Great Wall (Hiking Level: Moderate)
We start our walk from a part of deserted Wall called Xiangshuihu Lake, take the side path up to the Great Wall. By standing on the first tower we will be able to see a big S shape stretch of the Great Wall on the steep hill slope which will give us a good photo opportunity. Then start our hiking on this part of Ming dynasty period Wall, the hike of 4.5 hours takes you on quite a few up and down hill, a good physical challenge but not very difficult. Once again, you will enjoy absolutely great views all throughout the hike. Later get to the beautiful Beijing Knot, an extremely unique section whereupon the Great Wall splits into two directions. Here you can take a picture with the "Lonely Pine", a pine tree that grows right in the middle of the Great Wall, definitely a beautiful picture spot. End your hike at a small village set at the foothills of the Jiankou Great Wall. Overnight at the local village hotel or hostel. (B/L/D)
Day 7 Jiankou Great Wall to Jiuyanlou Great Wall (Hiking Level: Moderate)
Take a path up to the Beijing Knot, where the two sections of the Great Wall meet. One section is called the Inner Great Wall, which goes to Badaling, the other section is called the Outer Great Wall and leads to Datong. We will trek on the right wing of the Beijing Knot. Within two hours of walking on this part of the ancient Wall, you will see the old steles, old barracks, battle fields, and by the end, get to a key uniquely shaped watchtower called Jiuyanlou, which is double layered, squared and has 9 watch holes. The night will be spent in a farmhouse at the village. (B/L/D)
Day 8 Jiankou Great Wall - Mutianyu (Hiking Level: Moderate)
Jiankou i s a very famous section of the Great Wall among local hiking groups and professional photographers. This section is considered one of the most beautiful parts of the Great Wall around Beijing. We will take a path up to the Great Wall, stand on the general tower, and have a great view of the Great Wall. There are several scenic sites you will see, one of which is the enemy observation tower known as "The Eagle Flies Facing Upward". This observation tower appears extremely high as it was set up on a mountain which forms the highest section of the Secret Great Wall. We will trek on some of the most magnificent sections of the Wall, which are virtually deserted. The hike itself is quiet and beautiful, in about four hours of passing deserted sections of the Wall in its original state, we will get to a section of the restored Wall known as Mutianyu. Afterward we will drive to Beijing & transfer to your hotel. (B/L)
Day 9 Beijing
Free at leisure. (B)
Day 10 Beijing - Departure
Transfer to airport for your flight to UK or next destination(B)
Please note that, whilst every effort will
be made to carry out the programme shown above, small changes may sometimes be necessary.
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