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CAMPING ON THE GREAT WALL: Gubeikou-Jinshanling-Simatai
2AB: Two-day overnight camping tour to respect the constructors of the human legend.
2-day Great Wall hiking plus camping
Besides sleeping the night on the Great Wall, you'll get to explore the unknown and wild sections of the wall. The hike will start at Gubeikou, an unvisited part of its natural and unrestored state. In 4.5 hours, you'll pass over into Jinshanling, which will feature the most stunning scenery in China.
Restored brickwork and large watchtowers dot the land, and under one of these watchtowers is where you will spend the night. The next day, after watching the sunrise over the Great Wall, we'll continue hiking Jinshanling until we reach the Second Valley (aka the west wing of Simatai), a part of Simatai featuring dramatic ruins and which connects to Jinshanling in the west.
>> Did you know we have 14 camping trips. Click to compare them.
>> Flat Rate Group Hiking from Jinshanling to West Simatai and Private Camping at Gubeikou
Guaranteed camping inside the watchtower!
Look at the stars and fantasize in the moonlight, imagining the days and months when the warriors of the Great Wall camped out on the Wall to guard it! We have camping tents and sleeping bags for you, and tonight you are a soldier guarding Beijing. Camping with us is legal and safe. Our staff will prepare you for everything. Please wait for the sunrise tomorrow morning.
BRIEF TRIP ITINERARY
DAY 1: Great Wall at Gubeikou and Jinshanling
We'll leave Beijing at 8 (in winter) and 9:30 (in summer). Drive 2.5 hours to Gubeikou. We'll hike from Gubeikou to Jinshanling today for 4.5 hours. Gubeikou was often the battlefield in many wars, including the fight against the Japanese invasion in the 1930s. Jinshanling is the section that represents the Great Wall the best. The pictures are often in public media and government offices. Enjoy gourmet lunch and dinners locally prepared. Camping on the Great Wallwill be the highlight of the day!
DAY 2: Great Wall at Jinshanling and West Simatai
Upon watching the amazing sunrise from the Great Wall, we'll move to Jinshanling to hike through West Simatai. This section of the Wall is frequently featured in World Heritage reports. You will see the Great Wall from its dilapidated state to its restored landscape, thus understanding the difficulty of construction. Enjoy local breakfast and lunch. We'll return to Beijing in the afternoon.
MEMORABLE TIME
DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY 1: Gubeikou-Jinshanling (9 kms, 4.5-5 hours of hiking). Camping!
We will pick you up at about 9:30 am from your hotel and drive directly to the Gubeikou section of the Great Wall, where we will begin our two-day hike on the wall.
Gubeikouis covered with over 140 watchtowers, all differing in size and design. You will witness how the wall twists and winds along with the steep mountain range from the wall here. That is as dramatic a view on the Great Wall as you’ll find.
The Jinshanling Great Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while 1/4 of it is restored, is not nearly as crowded as Badaling or Mutianyu, allowing you to have a more intimate experience with the wall. This afternoon, you'll watch the sunset while walking along the Wall.
Then we'll take you to have a gorgeous Chinese countryside style dinner served by a local housewife. Before it gets dark, we'll go up to the mountain and sleep overnight in a watchtower. We'll prepare the necessary camping facilities such as sleeping bags, so you don't have to bring anything but yourself. Here it is the sound sleeper's paradise - let the mountain valley and the Great Wall echo your snoring sound!
Meals: Lunch & Dinner in the local restaurants
Bottled Water: Unlimited
Accommodations:Camping at Gubeikou Great Wall
If camping is not your choice, you may overnight in a home inn at the foot of the Great Wall.
DAY 2: Jinshanling-West Simatai-Beijing (8 kms, 3 hours of hiking)
The first thing we'll do today is to watch the magnificent sunrise early in the morning. After a quick breakfast, we will resume our hike on Jinshanling's right-wing, where we will hike until we reach Simatai West, called Second Valley. As we head west, the wall will gradually deteriorate, making the hike progressively more challenging and exciting to observe and compare.
The Jinshanling Great Wall has not been repaired since 1570. It is a remote and relatively isolated section of the Great Wall. If you are looking for breathtaking views with a relatively peaceful walk, then the Second Valley of Jinshanling can't be better, so we hope that you remembered to bring your camera!
Simatai West, called the Second Valley, is the left-wing of Simatai. It is also in a severe state of ruins and is thereby a perfect example of the authentic Great Wall, while too magnificent and rustic. The wall is 7.8 m high and 5 - 6 m thick at the bottom. In addition to the gorgeous scenery on your hike, you'll also get to see how the wall was designed for practical purposes, that being the defense against outer enemies, and how the Great Wall was supposed to keep them out. There are 'obstacle-walls' built perpendicular to the parapets - a feature unique to the Second Valley part of Jinshanling Great Wall.
We will return to Beijing at around 5 pm. We will drop you off at your hotel.
Meals:Breakfast & Lunch in the local restaurants
Bottled Water: Unlimited