Great Wall Hike By Bullet Train

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It has never been so convenient to walk to the real ancient Great Wall in Beijing. It only takes 2.5 hours from Beijing to Gubeikou, the oldest Great Wall. The high-speed train leaves Beijing at 6:58 am and arrives at Gubeikou at 9:24. Depart from Gubeikou at 5:20 pm and arrive in Beijing at 7:52. The round-trip tickets only cost USD3.50. 

 
Why Gubeikou
 

Gubeikou is a perfect place to show why the Great Wall was built in terms of strategy to keep out the northern invaders.  Undoubtedly, the Great Wall has become a miracle because of its architecture, and the Beijing Great Wall in front of the Gate of Heaven is the essence of this miracle. With the help of the lofty mountains in the west and north of Kyoto, the defenders cleverly conceived and built a complete set of fortifications. Pieces of Great Wall bricks and Great Wall stones with special materials are ever-changing in one base and one base, deducting their different splendor. They are the double pearls of architecture and military.

The Great Wall was built by the ancients to prevent the invasion of the Mongols, but it was unexpected that it would be a fortress to resist the Japanese invading army. From March 10 to May 15, 1933, the Chinese garrison and the Japanese fought the Gubeikou Battle in the Great Wall War, which was the longest battle in the Great Wall War.

The General Building is located at the commanding height of Panlong Mountain, where the headquarters of the Chinese garrison is located. In order to compete for this commanding height, the enemy and the enemy fought desperately. Bombed by the Japanese army, the roof was opened and the walls remained. You will see that the ten-meter-square, devastated General Building retains its original appearance more than 80 years ago: on the top of the first floor is a cannonball hole with a diameter of more than one meter, and craters of various sizes can be seen on the wall; on a mottled city brick , Retaining the Chinese characters engraved by Japanese invaders-"Occupied by the Seventeenth Infantry Regiment". The Twenty-Four Eyes Tower has been blown up in half by Japan and is incomplete. These are the towers you can encounter on the hike.

In the two months of fighting, the Chinese defenders and the Japanese soldiers suffered a total of more than 13,000 casualties in the Gubeikou battlefield. The Battle of Gubeikou was the longest and most intense battle of the Great Wall at that time, so it was called "the fierce battle in the fierce battle". "The Great Wall was bloody rivers, and the mountains and plains were full of corpses." Your guide will tell you the story of the battle that happened.

Why Jinshanling

The Jinshanling section of the Great Wall is renowned for its unique blend of natural beauty and historical significance. Stretching over 10 kilometers, this part of the wall is distinguished by 67 watchtowers, each with its own distinctive architectural features, and a comprehensive defensive system that includes barrier walls, battlement walls, and shooting holes. Hikers embarking on the trail from Gubeikou to Jinshanling are treated to a mix of rugged, wild sections and beautifully restored parts of the Great Wall, offering an authentic experience away from the crowds. This hike, covering approximately 10 km, provides a deep dive into the wall’s architectural marvels and the surrounding landscape's scenic views, making it a paradise for photographers and history enthusiasts alike.

TIME TABLE: 

6:58 am: Bullet Train S501 departs from Beijing North Train Station at Dongzhimen. 

9:24 am: Arrive at Gubeikou.  Our staff will meet you at the train station and transfer you to the Great Wall. 

10:00 am - 2:00 pm: Hike the Gubeikou Great Wall and cross over to Jinshanling Great Wall.

2:30-3:30 pm: Gourmet lunch. 

4:00-5:00 pm: Rest, and walk around the Great Wall village.

5:20 pm: The train S504 leaves from Gubeikou.

7:52 pm: Arrive at Beijing North Station. 

 >> Did you know we have 7 one-day hikes. Click to compare ALL.