Highlights
- See Laolongtou, or "Old Dragon Head," where the Great Wall meets the sea
- Climb the Great Wall over Jiaoshan, the "First Mountain of the Wall"
- Hike along the "wild" section of the Great Wall between Gubeikou and Jinshanling
- Ride a toboggan down from the Great Wall at Mutianyu
- Follow the Wall along the picturesque Huanghuacheng Lake
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Beijing, Transfer to Qinhuangdao, See Laolongtou & Shanhaiguan | Qinhuangdao |
| Day 2 | Begin Great Wall Hike: Jiaoshan & Dongjiakou Sections | Qinhuangdao |
| Day 3 | Hike from Pingdingyu to Banchangyu | Qinhuangdao |
| Day 4 | Hike from Shibeigou to Jielingkou, Transfer to Beijing | Beijing |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Gubeikou, Hike from Gubeikou to Jinshanling | Gubeikou |
| Day 6 | Hike from Jinshanling to Simatai West, Transfer to Xizhazi | Xizhazi |
| Day 7 | Hike from Jiankou to Mutianyu, Transfer to Xishuiyu | Xishuiyu |
| Day 8 | Hike from Huanghuacheng to Xishuiyu, Transfer to Yanqing | Yanqing |
| Day 9 | Hike from Old Badaling to Shixiaguan, Transfer to Beijing, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Beijing, Transfer to Qinhuangdao, See Laolongtou & Shanhaiguan
Welcome to China! After you arrive at Beijing International Airport, your driver will be waiting to transport you four hours eastward to Qinhuangdao. This port city is known for its resort atmosphere, ocean views, and Laolongtou, the final section of the Great Wall of China where it ends in the Bohai Sea. Once you arrive and check into your hotel, join your guide for a three-hour tour, beginning at the beach where you'll explore Laolongtou, or "Old Dragon's Head," so named as it resembles a dragon drinking out of the ocean.
Gaze out over the waves from the Wall itself, then head a short drive away to the Shanhaiguan section of the Great Wall. Shanhaiguan is a square fortress built in the Ming Dynasty (1368 -1644 CE) and known as the "First Pass Under Heaven." You'll have the chance to walk along the top of the 46-foot-high (14 m) fortress walls, which have a total length of 4.5 miles (7 km), and admire the well-preserved ancient town with its traditional buildings within.
While here, visit the famous Zhendong Tower, an intricately decorated watchtower standing 45 feet (13.7 m) high with two floors and 68 windows facing every direction. Climb the tower for incredible views, then visit the on-site Shanhaiguan Great Wall Museum. Explore exhibits covering the Great Wall's history and function and discover artifacts like construction materials and firearms. Rest up tonight at your hotel in Qinhuangdao, as your hike begins tomorrow.
Day 2: Begin Great Wall Hike: Jiaoshan & Dongjiakou Sections
Strap on your hiking boots and begin your multiday trek along the Great Wall. The Wall is so massive that it's separated into multiple sections, many of which have been restored and refurbished. The first section you'll tackle is Jiaoshan, the "First Mountain of the Great Wall," which climbs to 1,702 feet (519 m). Meet your trekking guide at the hotel for a short drive to the starting point of this morning's hike.
Once you reach the top, you'll be able to see the ocean from this peak of the Wall on a clear day. Ground first broke on the country's famous defensive fortification back in the seventh century BCE, and it was expanded over the centuries by various dynasties, most notably the Ming Dynasty. After hiking for around two hours, you'll cover about 2 miles (3 km) on a round trip back to your tour vehicle before breaking for lunch. Afterward, you'll travel to the Dongjiakou section of the Great Wall, built in 1381 CE.
As you hike through this section that's less restored, you'll encounter rougher terrain. Pause to admire the intricate arches and window carvings, as well as each brick that's adorned with traditional folk art. In the 1500s, this segment was reinforced as a strategic stronghold for the Chinese military. Soldiers and their families settled in the area, and the ancestors of this original garrison still live in the village. Hike for three hours on this part of the Wall for 2.48 miles (4 km) before climbing down to meet your driver for the return drive to your Qinhuangdao hotel.
Day 3: Hike from Pingdingyu to Banchangyu
Begin today's hike along the Great Wall at Pingdingyu, heading toward Banchangyu. This section of the Wall will be one of the most challenging of your trip, as the paths are steep and require careful walking. You'll cover 3 miles (5 km) overall, but it'll take up to five hours as the path necessitates some rock scrambling. Take in the fabulous views and stop at the famous Shilin Tower (Stone Forest Tower), which looks like it was made of the granite upon which the Wall is built. Much of this section comprises these same granite stones, making it a tough climb.
Look ahead to see the watchtowers zigzagging along the cliffs toward Banchangyu. Then, follow your guide in a single file as some trail segments pass through rocky crevices and narrow passages. As you hike, marvel at the incredible views that make the strenuous trek worth it. Once you arrive in Banchangyu, explore the abandoned watchtower and visit the Brick Kiln Group Site, where many of the Wall's bricks were fired. Take in the views of the Wall, winding endlessly through the mountains before returning to your Qinhuangdao hotel via transfer.
Day 4: Hike from Shibeigou to Jielingkou, Transfer to Beijing
After a challenging hike yesterday, today's trek from Shibeigou to Jielingkou is much easier, as most of the trip is relatively level. Stop halfway through today's leisurely 3.1-mile (5 km) hike to climb a watchtower up a nearby mountain for sky-high views of the Wall and the surrounding area. As you hike, admire the views of lush, green farmland, a stark contrast to the pale stone of the Wall. Your guide will share the history of this section, most recently the site of a fierce battle between Chinese and Japanese forces in World War II. Look for the bullet holes leftover from the battle still visible in the Wall.
Hike for about 3 hours before arriving at Jielingkou, the most significant pass in the Hebei province. The relentless attacks by the Mongols during the Ming Dynasty led to this pass becoming one of the Wall's most elaborate and secure fortifications. At the end of the day, you'll meet your driver for a 3.5-hour transfer to Beijing, where you'll spend the night. If you have the energy to explore the evocative capital, visit epic sights like the Forbidden City or the Temple of Heaven, and treat yourself to a dinner of delicious Peking duck.
Day 5: Transfer to Gubeikou, Hike from Gubeikou to Jinshanling
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After breakfast, meet your driver at your hotel for a two-hour drive north of Beijing to Gubeikou. The imposing Panlong (Coiling Dragon) and Wohu (Crouching Tiger) mountains provide the scenic backdrop as you follow your guide from the Gubeikou Entrance eastward to Jinshanling. As you hike between the numerous watchtowers, learn the storied history of this mostly unrestored segment, which saw some of the most renowned battles in Chinese history.
Today, you'll hike for 5-6 hours over about 6 miles (10 km). A portion of the route passes a restricted military area where hiking on the Wall is prohibited. You'll skip this area by walking down from the Wall and cutting through a field, then returning to the Jinshanling section and continuing. After your hike, you'll transfer by car to a guesthouse in Gubeikou, where you'll spend the night.
Day 6: Hike from Jinshanling to Simatai West, Transfer to Xizhazi
Wake up early to catch a sunrise over the Great Wall, then begin another day of your trekking tour along the Jinshanling section from Zhuandoukou Tower to the Eastern Five Window Tower at Simatai West. Renowned for being one of the best-preserved parts of the Great Wall, Jinshanling dates back to the Ming Dynasty. Hike along the top as the Wall zigzags through the Big and Small Jinshan Mountains, reaching nearly 23 feet (7 m) in height and nearly 20 feet (6 m) in width. Along the way, you'll encounter five main passes, over 15 watchtowers, and two beacon towers.
During this portion of your hike, you'll cover about 4 miles (6-7 km) and walk for 3-4 hours at a leisurely pace, ensuring you have plenty of time to take in the beautiful landscape and the many original features of the Wall itself. The watchtowers along this route embody different styles, some with multiple stories, flat or rounded roofs, and pitched eaves. Enjoy the expansive views of the mountains as you hike up or down some steep gradients and along the level, bricked section. After you've completed the hike, your driver will be waiting to transfer you to Xizhazi, a village about two hours away, where you'll sleep the night.
Day 7: Hike from Jiankou to Mutianyu, Transfer to Xishuiyu
After a scenic 40-minute drive this morning, you'll arrive at the Great Wall for today's hike. Begin your day at Jiankou, a wilder section of the wall along a mountain ridge. Jiankou's towers cling to the steep cliffsides, making for an exhilarating hike. Despite being one of the most rugged portions of the Wall and lacking restoration, Jiankou is one of the most beautiful due to its myriad viewpoints, offering spectacular vistas of the surrounding landscape. The first hour involves a steep ascent to the top, followed by hiking through unrestored towers.
Upon reaching Zhenbeilou Tower, you'll be rewarded with a far-reaching view of the entire Jiankou section. Pause to admire the decorative gables, animal statues, and other elaborate design features of the Nine-Eye Tower, with it's nine windows (eyes) on each side. Not only was the tower a vital command post during ancient wars, but it was also the largest watchtower on the entire Wall. During your 5-6-hour hike, covering around 7 miles (11 km), you'll have ample time to enjoy the incredible views, as the Wall stretches as far as the eye can see, winding over mountains and through valleys.
End the day in the well-preserved Mutianyu section, which defended the capital and imperial tombs as the northern barrier. Here, you can ride a toboggan down from the Wall or hop on the cable car. At the bottom, meet your driver for a two-hour trip to Xishuiyu village and your overnight accommodation.
Day 8: Hike from Huanghuacheng to Xishuiyu, Transfer to Yanqing
This morning, head into the countryside to the less crowded Huanghuacheng section of the Great Wall. Adjacent to a picturesque lake, Huanghuacheng (the name translates as 'Yellow Flower City') is a refurbished section of the Wall punctuated with watchtowers. During the summer, the surrounding mountains are enveloped in yellow as the local wildflowers bloom.
Today's hike is challenging and has uneven topography, but the views are worth every step. You'll trek for 3.7 miles (6 km) for 3-4 hours, seeing the Wall reflected in the reservoirs and enjoying the landscape, ranging from thick jungle to soaring mountains. Once you arrive at the Xishuiyu section, your driver will be waiting to transport you to Yanqing, about 2.5 hours away.
Day 9: Hike from Old Badaling to Shixiaguan, Transfer to Beijing, Depart
Meet your driver after breakfast for a 40-minute transfer to the Old Badaling section of the Great Wall for the final stretch of your hiking trip. Considered impregnable, Badaling was a crucial military stronghold that primarily defended the capital against Mongol attacks during the Ming Dynasty. Today, you'll hike along this section of the wall as it snakes across steep mountain slopes, resembling the shape of a dragon winding over the ridges.
Trek for four hours toward Shixiaguan, a less-traveled section that provides even more incredible views. After your 4.3-mile (7 km) hike, your driver will be waiting, this time to transport you on a 1.5-hour drive to Beijing Capital Airport, in plenty of time to catch your departing flight. Safe travels, wherever life takes you next!
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