2AD: Gubeikou-Jinshanling-Camping-Huanghuacheng-Xishuiyu Lakeside Wall
Two-day Overnight Camping & Hiking Tour to Great Wall from the famous battlefield Gubeikou to Jinshanling, and along the lakeside Great Wall at Huanghuacheng
SUMMARY
This 2-day Great Wall program packs quite a punch! Not only do you get the classic Great Wall hike on Jinshanling, but you also get to explore little-known Gubeikou, while also getting to camp and sleep overnight in a Great Wall watchtower! Just think of it! You'll be able to witness the sunrise and sunset from the perfect vantage point. On the second day you'll get to walk Huanghuacheng-Xishuiyu which features an extremely rare trait-the Great Wall underwater!
Find this tour in the map below.
Guaranteed camping inside the watchtower!
A few agents claim they can do so but that's not true. What they usually mean is that they may take you to the foot of the Great Wall to camp on the ground or to sleep at a guesthouse. Not us. For each participant (even children), we must pay a hefty relic preserving fee to the Great Wall administration office. This fee allows for you to camp legally on the Great Wall. We are the only company approved by the Great Wall Administration Office to offer camping for international guests. This is what sets us apart from other operators.
Day 1- Itinerary
Gubeikou-Jinshanling (9 kms, 4.5-5 hours of hiking)
9:30 am: We will pick you up 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. It is 2.5 hours of driving.
Today we will hike for around 10 km/6 miles. Gubeikou is covered with over 140 watchtowers, all differing in size and design. From the wall here you will be able to witness how the wall twists and winds along the steep mountain ranges. This 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 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 watch tower. We'll prepare the necessary camping facilities including tents and 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 - Itinerary
Huanghuacheng-Xishuiyu (10 kms, 4 hours of hiking)
We will ’ll be sure to wake up early in order to catch the sunrise over the Great Wall. Afterwards will disembark from the Great Wall and drive to Huanghuacheng, Great Wall.
The Huanghuacheng (Yellow Flower City) Great Wall is a beautiful tourist spot combining mountains, lakes and ancient Great Wall. It is the latest section to become popular with hikers. It provides a challenge for hikers because the paths are steep and out of repair. The Wall here is divided by lakes and some parts are even immersed in the water, which is a very unique characteristic, distinguishing it from other sections of the Great Wall.
The Great Wall is surrounded by mountains with verdant vegetation, lots of blossom and other seasonal beauty. During summer, the countryside around the Huanghuacheng Great Wall is swathed in yellow, as masses of wild flowers come into bloom. The highest point of the wall is a broken watchtower, and from there you will have a wide panoramic view of the whole valley.
Most of the Great Wall around Xishuiyu is in reasonably good, deteriorated, but not collapsed condition. None of the Great Wall here has been restored so it retains its authentic condition. As we follow the Wall to the west here, you will get views of the Xiaoxihu reservoir. From our vantage on the Wall, we will see a real treat, the broken Great Wall running underwater!
We will finish this hike at about 1 pm. We will return to Beijing after a gourmet lunch.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch in the local restaurants
Bottled Water: Unlimited
Tour Map
Where are we going?
The red-shade is the area is where this tour covers. We will drive about 2 hours on a highway from Beijing to the Great Wall. Typically we will leave at 9-9:30 am from your hotel.
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