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12
-day-long Episodic
 Great Wall Trekking

 

 

 
 
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      12A from the Ocean to Forbidden City
 
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Old Dragon's Head (Laolongtou), the beginning of the Great Wall on Google Earth

 

TOUR PRICE
(each person)
# of Head
USD
1
4279
2 2579
3
2379
4 2099
5
1999
6-9 1829
10+ 1679

 

Included

 

* Free personal transfers from and to hotel/airport/train station and drop-offs
* Entry fees to the Great Wall sections
* Daily meals (when hiking on the Great Wall)
* The privilege of camping on the Great Wall and exclusive access to the camping watch tower
* All other accommodation along the Great Wall
* Three nights of Beijing hotel
* All necessary camping gears such as tents & bags
* Quality vehicle, professional driver and English-speaking tour guide
* Free membership card
* A credit of USD50 toward your next China national tour with us.

 

Complementary two-way airport transfer for your convenience

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 For assistance, you can also send email to greatwall@greatwalladventure.com


TRAVEL INSURANCE

If you currently don’t have travel insurance then you will be required to purchase our PICC (People's Insurance Company of China) travel and accidental insurance.
The fee will be $49.95 per person, and will cover the duration of your hiking/camping/trekking in order to ensure that you are comprehensively protected if injured.

For more information about our travel insurance policy please see our insurance page.


QUALITY VEHICLES

 


YOUR SAFETY IS OUR TOPPRIORITY!

At the Great Wall Adventure Club, we only use quality vehicles such as Volkswagen Passat or Buick Minivan for your safety and comfortable trip!






TOUR 12A: Twelve-day Great Wall Trekking & Camping:
from Old Dragon's Head of Easternmost Seashore to the Forbidden City in Beijing


Free airport transfers!

The Great Wall is the longest man-made structure in the world, stretching 8,851 km (5,500 miles) long. It is said to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

 

This is the longest and most comprehensive Great Wall tour that we offer, and you'll be hard pressed to find a better constructed one at any other travel agency. We've got you covered from the moment you arrive in Beijing, as pick-up and drop-off from the airport is included. Then, we'll set out on a nearly two-week odyssey that will take you from the Great Wall's eastern most point, making our way slowly east back towards Beijing.

 

In addition to the sections of the Great Wall you'll explore, you'll also be able to take in numerous villages in the Chinese countryside, giving you an authentic look into Chinese society. Besides the Great Wall you'll be taken to the East Qing Tombs, the final resting place for many emperors of China's last ruling dynasty, the Qing. You'll get to trek on the two most popular Great Wall hikes (Jinshanling-Simatai and Jiankou-Mutianyu), and when you get back to Beijing you'll get to pick any kind of city tour you like (Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, etc.)

 

Please be advised that this program should be taken by those in good physical condition, as there will be a great deal of physical activity required.

 

 

12-day  Highlights:

 

Explore the best of the eastern Great Wall, from the beginning of the Wall by the ocean all the way to Beijing
Gain a greater understanding of the Great Wall’s strategic and military importance, as well as it’s architecture
Visit sections not well known to western tourists
Free Airport pick-up and drop off service
Decent accommodation at Holiday Inn Express downtown for three nights.

 

Departure:

 

Our Great Wall hiking is a private service. What this means is that you can hike on the Great Wall at any time at your convenience. If you would much rather be part of a group for the experience for economic and social reasons, we'll check to see if there are more signups for the same date as your own. We'll keep you updated whenever there are more. If you would like to keep your tour a private one, please let us know and we'll assign you a guide and driver.

 

Click for the Trip Map

 


Day-by-day Great Wall Trekking Itinerary

 

DAY 1 |  DAY 2 | DAY 3 | DAY 4 | DAY 5 | DAY 6 | DAY 7 | DAY 8 | DAY 9 | DAY 10 | DAY 11 | DAY 12

 


Day 1: Arrive in Beijing


Our Great Wall Adventure representative will meet you at Beijing International Airport. You will be staying in Holiday Inn Express Downtown Beijing or similar. Our guide will give you a briefing on the tour ahead, and the rest of the night is up to your discretion.

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Day 2: Beijing-Old Dragon’s Head-Shanhaiguan (B+L+D, 4 hours)




We will meet you at your hotel in the morning between 7:30-8am, and from there we will make the 4 hour drive to the Shanhaiguan Pass, which is in a town situated in the northeast of Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province. It adjoins the Bohai Sea to the southeast and the Yanshan Mountain to the northwest. We will start our hike at Old Dragon’s Head, also known as Laolongtou. Laolongtou is the most eastern beginning of the Great Wall, which extends into the Bohai Sea. Standing here is almost like being on a peninsula as you can feel the overwhelming power of the rolling sea.

After marveling at the scenery here, we'll have a lunch in a local Chinese restaurant. After that,  we’ll have a tour to the Great Wall Museum to learn about the history of the Great Wall. You’ll also learn about the history and military strategy of this section of wall, as well as see military relics.

W
e will make our way to the Shanhaiguan Pass Fortress, which is also known as “The First Pass under Heaven.” We will enter the Shanhaiguan Great Wall Museum, where we will learn about the history and military strategy of this section of wall, as well as displaying military relics.

For the night we will stay at the Jinshan Hotel next to the Shanhaiguan Pass and have a tasty dinner of Northern Chinese cuisine to get you started for tomorrow’s hike. After dinner, you can have a free tour to the old town of Shanhaiguan. You can buy souvenirs or even watch a street concert of the local residents.

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Day 3: Jiaoshan Great Wall  (B+L+D, 12 kms/6 miles, 5 hours)



After getting up at 7:30 and eating breakfast, we will make a short drive to the foot of a mountain and hike Jiaoshan Section of the Great Wall. Three kilometers north of Shanhaiguan, the easternmost pass through the main section of the Great Wall, stands the 500- meter Jiaoshan Peak. Though relatively diminutive in size, this is the first actual mountain the Great Wall passes heading west, and so is known as “the first mountain of the Great Wall.” Unlike the newly restored wall, Jiaoshan ancient wall provides you a sense of historical vicissitude. Walking on the dilapidated wall is a great challenge. The wall appears more and more crumbled and deformed as you forge ahead.

We'll overnight in a local hostel in Dongjiakou area, our next stop for continuous hiking. 

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Day 4: Dongjiakou Great Wall Village (B+L+D, 10 kms/6 miles, 4-5 hours)





Our day will begin with breakfast with our local host family and then we'll start hiking in Dongjiakou.

Dongjiakou is a pass of the Great Wall constructed in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) as well as an important fortress that guards the Shanhai Pass, which is hailed as "the first pass of the Great Wall" due to its strategic location in the ancient time.

Dongjiakou Great Wall is 8.9 km, with the complete wall stretching for over 3 km, a broken section of over 1.8 km and the other sections being natural steep mountains without wall. Apart from the castles, about 60% of constructions of Dongjiakou Great Wall including defense towers and beacon towers are still in intactness on the whole. 

In the afternoon, we'll drive to a hotel located near the Huangyaguan Section of the Great Wall. You will have a relaxiation tour to the small historic town nearby for the evening.

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Day 5: East Qing Tombs-Huangyaguan (B+L+D, 3 hours)




After waking up at 7:30, we will make the short trip to the East Qing Tombs. The Eastern Qing Tombs, which is among the finest, best-preserved and largest of the extant tomb complexes in China. Along the south side of Changrui Mountain, the tombs of five emperors, four empresses, five imperial concubines, and one princess are arrayed based on the traditional concept of placing the most senior and most distinguished in the center.

Of all the tombs, Xiaoling is the biggest and most elaborate, standing as the focal point of the entire structure. The grandeur of this tomb may be attributed to its having been the first sepulcher constructed for a member of the royal family of the Qing Dynasty, so the builders hoped to set the tone for a prosperous future. Crossing through the Great Red Gate, you can see buildings of different sizes, all with roofs of yellow glazed tile, connected by the brick paths or 'sacred ways' that converge in the area of Xiaoling.

An example of the most exquisite architecture of the Eastern Qing Tombs is Qingdongling, the tomb of Empress Dowager Cixi. Although she handled affairs of state for more than 45 years, she never ascended the throne. (The only female ruler in Chinese history was Empress Wu Zetian in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Elaborate and highly refined decorations and carvings inside Qingdongling make it unique among the tombs of the Qing Dynasty. The main material used in the tomb, which took six years to build, was gold, the symbol of royal family.
 Huangyaguan. It is designed as a miniature of the entire Great Wall of China, thereby allowing you get an understanding of the entire wall in a fraction of the time. The entire section is built on an abrupt mountain ridge. Being endowed with both natural beauty and cultural interest, it has become famous as a natural beauty spot and a summer resort.

After about an hour’s walk we will reach a peak overlooking the valley below. From the peak we can also see the Huangyaguan Fortress, which was restored in 1984. From this vantage point, we will be able to see its Baguan pattern, a specially designed labyrinth designed to confuse and entrap the enemy. We will then walk down to the fortress for a fascinating and informative visit inside.

 

We'll over night at the foot of Huangyaguan Great Wall in a hotel called Huangyaguan Villa.  See below picture to see how fantastic the view is to see the Wall from the hotel.

 

 


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Day 6: Peace Fort-Huangyaguan-Sky Ladder-West Simatai (B+L+D, 8 kms/5 miles, 4-5 hours)


 

Following breakfast at the inn we will begin our hike of the Huangyaguan Great Wall. We will walk from Taipingzhai to Huangyaguan with the chance to see the Widow Tower.

 

It is designed as a miniature of the entire Great Wall of China, thereby allowing you get an understanding of the entire wall in a fraction of the time. The entire section is built on an abrupt mountain ridge. Huangyaguan is situated in a beautiful valley in the heart of the Yanshan Mountains. We start our walk heading up the steep renovated steps towards what appears to be a sheer cliff face. This is where we encounter "Heavens Ladder", a steep climb of over 200 steps leading us up to the cliff face. Once we have caught our breaths, the path continues gradually up to the top of the ridge and once again the old Wall, which follows the contours of the mountain. From the peak we can also see the Huangyaguan Fortress, which was restored in 1984. From this vantage point, we will be able to see its Baguan pattern, a specially designed labyrinth designed to confuse and entrap the enemy.

 

Six miles southeast of Huangyaguan Pass is the Taipingzhai Great Wall, another important mountain stronghold of the wall during the Ming Dynasty. It is also called Taipinganzhai, meaning "a village of peace and prosperity". Starting from Banlagang Mountain in the east and arriving at Guafu Tower (Widow Tower) in the west, it winds through the precipitous mountains for about 955 yards. There are six watch towers, one battlement, and one shortcut leading to the wall. The architectural styles of the military towers vary considerably. There are square, round, solid and hollow towers, with some inside and others outside the wall. Beside the shortcut, there is a small citadel where an 8.5-meter statue of Qi Jiguang, the chief commanding officer of Ji Garrison (one of the eleven garrisons in the Ming Dynasty) is located. To the west of the citadel, a section of the wall extends 33 yards out to where a sentry post was situated. At the western end of the wall is a square stone tower called Guafu Tower, "Widow Tower" in English, built by twelve wives whose husbands died during the construction of the wall in the Ming Dynasty. Besides these cultural points of interest, Taipingzhai Great Wall is also famous for its amazingly impressive scenery. Zigzagging along the mountain ridge for over 984 yards, the wall looks very much like a giant dragon flying through clouds.


We will keep climbing toward the west on the Great Wall through the Sky Ladder. The incline is steep and a great challenge! Walking westward for 503 meters (550 yards) from the Huangya Pass, you will get to the steepest segment of this section, the Huangya Sky Ladder. Stairs there are not very smooth. Some of them even crack in the middle. Stretching to the top of the ridge, this long stairway seemingly leads to the sky. Climbing over the ladder, you will reach the primitive Great Wall built in the Northern Qi Dynasty, marking the end of the Huangyaguan section.

 

In the afternoon, we’ll drive to the West Simatai Great Wall, where we will overnight in one of our partnership hostels at the foot of the Great Wall.

 

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Day 7: Simatai-Jinshanling with Camping on the Great Wall  (B+L+D, 10 kms/6 miles, 4-
5 hours)



Our hike will start from Simatai, and we will make our way west along the wall into Jinshanling. This is the classic Great Wall hike that mostly wall enthusiasts have done. Unlike most hikers, we will take this popular route in the opposite direction. At first we will encounter deteriorated “Wild Wall” and the hiking will be a little steep. But as we make our way west the wall will gradually turn into a more restored state, and the hiking will get progressively easier. The hike today allows you to compare the differences between the two wall types, and this is both highly enjoyable and informative.

After reaching Jinshanling we will have a brief lunch. Tonight, we'll have the opportunity to camp on the Great Wall. Only the Great Wall Adventure Club can guarantee you the unique experience of sleeping in a watchtower on the Great Wall. All camping tents, sleeping bags and base pads are supplied.

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Day 8: Jinshanling-Gubeikou (B+L+D, 10 kms/6 miles, 4-5 hours)





We will be continuing our hike westward from Jinshanling until we reach the General Tower at Gubeikou. Gubeikou is mostly “Wild Wall” so the hiking will be tougher than the beginning of our hike.

Gubeikou was first built during the Northern Qi Dynasty (550-557) and rebuilt in Ming Dynasty  (1368-1644). Stretching for about 25 miles (40 kilometers), there are 172 watchtowers, 14 beacon towers, 16 passes, 3 water passes, 3 barbicans, and 6 fortresses along it.

In 1933, Chinese army fought against Japanese invasion troops in Gubeikou.  In the four-month-long battles, over 5,000 Japanese soldiers were killed while 9,000 Chinese soldiers died.  It was amazing that ancient wall was still useful in the World War II. You can see that Gubeikou is not merely a relic but it remained as a battlefield in modern world. 

The Jinshanling section of the Great Wall is 10.5 km long[1] with 5 passes, 67 towers and 3 beacon towers. The views of Jinshanling are often used as the "Great Wall official pictures" by the Chinese government in its public publications and building decoration.

We will have a late lunch in a local restaurant after we complete today's hike. Tonight, we'll check into one of our approved local farmotel to sleep.

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Day 9: Jiankou Adventure (B+L+D, 10 kms/6 miles, 5 hours)

 

 

After waking up in the morning we will have a Chinese-style breakfast first.  In order to hike on Jiankou, first we have to climb up a path for about 30-40 minutes (2km) to reach it. Our hike today will take about 2.5 hours and will cover 4km. Jiankou is translated as 'Arrow Nock' in English, for the shape of the mountain is like an arrow, with the collapsed ridge opening as its arrow nock.  The Jiankou section is known for its ruggedness and wild beauty, and you will be in awe of the marvelous views it affords. As soon as we reach Jiankou we will see a deserted watchtower that gives you a panoramic view of the entire valley. In the early morning the view is priceless with its morning fog. This section of the wall is not well known by tourists, although if you see a picture of the Great Wall from exotic traveling magazines, chances are it is from Jiankou. This is the pinnacle of exotic Great Wall scenery.

 

This part of the wall is often empty, so you will have some peace and serenity on your hike today. Our hike will begin in earnest from the watchtower known as “Defending General”, and over the course of our trek we will pass through seven to eight different watchtowers. Over the next two hours we will be moving from west to east.  As we trek we’ll be able to see “Ying Feng 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, but the view from the top is still stunning!  Other landmarks will include the “Beijing Knot “ and the “Heavenly Ladder”, but we will not be able to scale these peaks as they are not accessible due to its toughness and dangerous footing.  The toughest challenge that this hike presents is a portion known as the “38 Steps”, where the Wall vastly increases in steepness, to the point that it is near 70 degrees! It is due to this feature that we advise those with heart problems or a phobia of heights not to go on this trip.  The rest of the hike is mostly smooth sailing.

 

We’ll end today’s hike at “Jiankou”, or “Creek Pass” in English, which although pronounced the same as the Great Wall section, has a different meaning in Chinese and is composed of different characters. At “Jiankou” we’ll scale down the wall, which, like the walk to get on, should take roughly 30 minutes (2km). Once we descend from the Great Wall we will spend the night at a farmer’s inn. The farmer’s family will prepare for you a dinner of traditional Chinese dishes. Be sure to get a good night’s sleep, for tomorrow we descend the wall again at Zhengbeilou, where we will eventually cross over into the Great Wall at Mutianyu.

 

Tonight, we will sleep at the foot of Jiankou. The hostel is call "Miss-U-Much" in English. it is certified by Great Wall Adventure Club. You can see the logo at the entrance.

 

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Day 10: Jiankou-Mutianyu (B+L+D, 10 kms/6 miles, 4 hours)





Our hiking will end on a high note as we will be visiting hikers’ most favorite section of the Great Wall. . In order to hike on Jiankou, first we have to climb up a path for about 60 minutes to reach it. Our hike will today will take about 4 hours and will cover 10km/ 6 miles. The Jiankou section is known for its ruggedness and wild beauty, and you will be in awe of the marvelous views it affords. As soon as we reach Jiankou we will see a deserted watchtower that gives you a panoramic view of the entire valley. In the early morning the view is priceless with its morning fog. This section of the wall is not well known by tourists, although if you see a picture of the Great Wall from exotic traveling magazines, chances are it is from Jiankou. This is the pinnacle of exotic Great Wall scenery.

This part of the wall is often empty, so you will have some peace and serenity on your hike today. Another highlight of Jiankou 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, but the view from the top is still stunning!

From Jiankou we will cross over onto Mutianyu, a section of the wall that has been largely restored. Although it has gotten a face-lift, it avoids the army of tourists that plague Badaling. Mutianyu offers some breathtaking views of the valley and wall below, and if you look to your right you’ll see a large sign engraved in the side of the mountain encouraging you to “Cherish the teachings of Chairman Mao.” Mutianyu has also become popular for visiting foreign leaders and celebrities (former U.S. President Clinton visited Mutianyu on one of his trips to China).

You can hike down to the parking lot, take a cable car, or take a toboggan ride (extra fee, highly recommended, and lots of fun!) down to meet our driver.

Tonight, we will move to Huanghuacheng to sleep in a local hostel called "Good Fortune." It is a hostel certified by Great Wall Adventure Club. You can see our logo at the entrance.

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Day 11: Huanghuacheng-Xishuiyu Lake Side Wall Hike (B+L+D, 8 kms/6 miles, 4 hours)

 

 

 

Following breakfast we will be driven directly to Hunaghuacheng (or Huanghua Great Wall). After a short walk around the dam on the Huanghuacheng Reservoir, we will start our hike westward to Xishuiyu.

 

Going to the Huanghuacheng Great Wall, you have four things to do at least. First, you should take photos. Since the lake breaks this section of the Great Wall into three segments naturally, its uniqueness might surprise you. And the Huanghuacheng Reservoir lies here, shaped like a curved moon. Second, go to visit the chestnut garden under the Great Wall, dating back to the Ming Dynasty. The ancient chestnut trees still grow very well. Third, climb up the steepest section of the Huanghuacheng Great Wall, Shibadeng. It is like a dragon, ready to fly into the blue sky. Fourth, look at Yaoziyu Castle. It was built in the Ming Dynasty, still well preserved. In the castle, there is an ancient Chinese scholar tree. It is said that touching it could bring you a blessing.

 

The highest point of the wall is a broken watchtower, and from there you will have a wide panoramic view of the whole valley. From this summit the Wall dives steeply downwards into the valley. The Gate is located at the bottom, an opening in the wall, which connects the Zhuangdaokou village on the inside, with the still-well-preserved Yaoziyu Castle, built in the Ming Dynasty, on the outside. Over the top of the passageway is another watchtower where we will rest a short while before continuing on. On the inside of the gate you will notice three large characters carved in the stone, indicating the name of the village – ZhuangDaoKou. On the outside is written the name of the passageway - “ZhenNu Pass” - meaning “Defeat to Invaders”, a warning to potential attackers in ancient times.

 

From here we will continue to trek westward, climbing towards the broken wall to our destination, a peak overlooking Xishuiyu Lake. From our vantage point, we will see a real treat, the broken wall running underwater! From this point, the wall is in too bad a condition to walk, so we will follow a delightful mountain trail to Xishuiyu village, where we will have a gourmet country-style Chinese lunch and have a break. We’ll then drive back to Beijing, where you will be taken back to your hotel.

 

 

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Day 12: Sightseeing of Beijing's Must-sees (B+L)



You may choose one of our exciting city tours to any of Beijing’s great sights and attractions. If you like you can visit the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, the three attractions that you shouldn't miss. If the hike has worn you out, you can take a cultural tour of old Beijing such as our daily tour of "The Half-day Beijing Hutong Tour." It's your choice. This will give you an overview of Beijing folk culture and daily life. You'll sleep in Beijing for one more night.

That will end your unforgettable Great Wall and Beijing tour!

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Stuff you should bring with you:

* Passport copies
* Tough hiking boots, sunscreen and sunglasses
* Backpack, and snacks or energy/protein supplements you want to have before lunch
* Extra cash for driver/guide tips
* Don’t forget your camera!

 

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