Highlights
- End your first day in China with a delicious Peking duck feast in Beijing
- Hike along the "wild" section of the Great Wall between Gubeikou and Jinshanling
- See the sunrise over the Great Wall and the surrounding mountains
- Take a toboggan off the Wall after hiking to the Mutianyu segment
- Walk in the footsteps of Ming Dynasty warriors in Old Badaling
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Beijing, Peking Duck Experience | Beijing |
| Day 2 | Transfer to Gubeikou, Hike from Gubeikou to Jinshanling | Gubeikou |
| Day 3 | Hike from Jinshanling to Simatai West, Transfer to Xizhazi | Xizhazi |
| Day 4 | Hike from Jiankou to Mutianyu, Transfer to Xishuiyu | Xishuiyu |
| Day 5 | Hike from Huanghuacheng to Xishuiyu, Transfer to Yanqing | Yanqing |
| Day 6 | Hike from Old Badaling to Shixiaguan, Transfer to Beijing, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Beijing, Peking Duck Experience
Welcome to China! Once you arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport, meet your driver for a private transfer to bustling inner Beijing, the world's most densely populated capital city. As one of China's Four Great Ancient Capitals, this metropolis has been the seat of power in the country for eight centuries. After check-in at your downtown hotel, you'll have the remainder of the day free to explore epic sights, including the Temple of Heaven or the Summer Palace, a complex of palaces, gardens, and lakes.
In the evening, meet your local guide and head to a nearby restaurant for a traditional Peking duck dinner. This royal dish has been a staple in Beijing cuisine for centuries, popular with locals and visitors alike. Indulge in the delicacy of slow-roasted duck served with paper-thin pancakes, thinly sliced scallions, and drizzled with hoisin sauce. Watch as skilled chefs slice the dish before you, then savor the delicious combination of tender meat, crunchy skin, and fresh vegetables—a must-try in Beijing!
Day 2: Transfer to Gubeikou, Hike from Gubeikou to Jinshanling
Pack your bags and meet your driver at your hotel for a two-hour drive north of Beijing to Gubeikou. Here, you'll strap on your walking shoes to begin your multiday trek along the iconic Great Wall of China. 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 (1368-1644 CE).
Follow your guide along the top of the Wall from the Gubeikou entrance eastward to Jinshanling, admiring the scenic backdrop of the gorgeous Panlong (Coiling Dragon) and Wohu (Crouching Tiger) mountains along the way. The Wall is separated into various sections, many of which have been restored. As you hike between the numerous watchtowers, learn the storied history of this largely unrestored and wild segment, which witnessed 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, cutting through a field, then returning to the Jinshanling section and continuing. After your hike, you'll transfer by car to a guesthouse for the night.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 3: Hike from Jinshanling to Simatai West, Transfer to Xizhazi
Wake up early to catch a sunrise over the Great Wall, then begin the second 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 from 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 4: 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 with a morning trek 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 with its lack of restoration, Jiankou is considered one of the most beautiful due to its myriad viewpoints offering spectacular vistas of the surrounding landscape.
When you reach the Nine-Eye Tower, with it's nine windows on each side, pause to admire its decorative gables, animal statues, and other elaborate design features. Not only was the tower an important command post during ancient wars, but it was also the largest watchtower on the entire Wall. During your five-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 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 5: 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. 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 6: 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 (circa 1368-1644 CE). 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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