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Sleeping on the Great Wall: Jinshanling-Simatai-Lakeside Great Wall
TOUR 2AE: Hike at Jinshanling and Simatai Great Wall and camp in the lakeside Huanghuacheng
SUMMARY
Camping, hiking, unforgettable memories-you'll get all of this on this Great Wall excursion. You'll begin with the classic Jinshanling-Simatai hike, which is probably the most popular and crowd-pleasing of all Great Wall treks. Then, on the first night, you'll get to experience what is maybe the highlight of your China trip. You'll get to sleep and camp overnight in a Great Wall watchtower. It is a unique opportunity that you won't want to miss. We'll conclude your program with a hike from Huanghuacheng-Xishuiyu, which includes the unforgettable sight of the underwater Great Wall!
>> 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!
Historically, tens of thousands of guards have camped in this beacon year-round, guarding the Great Wall and protecting Beijing under challenging conditions. Today, we have camping tents and sleeping bags for you to experience what they felt back in the day. You are a soldier guarding Beijing. Your camping is legal and safe. Please look forward to the enchanting sunrise tomorrow morning.
BRIEF TRIP ITINERARY
DAY 1: Great Wall at Jinshanling and West Simatai
We'll leave Beijing at 8 (in winter) and 9:30 (in summer). Drive 2.5 hours to Jinshanling. Jinshanling is the section that represents the Great Wall the best. The pictures are often in public media and government offices. We'll have lunch at Jinshanling and Huanghuacheng. Camping on the Great Wall at lakeside Great Wall.
DAY 2: Great Wall at Huanghuacheng and Xishuiyu
Wake up early to catch the sunrise from the Great Wall. Today we'll walk Huanghuacheng and Xishui Great Wall, the only two sections sitting by the big lakes. Fantastic views are combining the mountains and water. We'll return to Beijing after having lunch in a new restaurant at the foot of the Great Wall that serves organic food. You'll get back to your hotel by 5 pm.
New from Summer 2022 - Kayaking at the Great Wall *Get the experience of 1-hour kayaking at the foot of the Great Wall for $69.
MEMORABLE TIME
DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY 1: Jinshanling-West Simatai (6 kms, 3 hours of hiking). Camping on the Wall.
9:30 am: We will pick you up from your hotel and drive directly to the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall, where we will begin our two-day hike on the wall.
Jinshanling's right-wing, where we will hike until we reach Simatai West, is 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 a perfect example of the authentic Great Wall, while also breathtaking 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 drive to Huanghuacheng, our newest camping base, for our dinner and set up our camp in a watchtower just in the middle of the section.
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
DAY 2: Huanghuacheng-Xishuiyu (10 kms, 4 hours of hiking)
We will be sure to wake up early to catch the sunrise over the Great Wall. Then we 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 the 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 unique characteristic, distinguishing it from other sections of the Great Wall.
The Great Wall is surrounded by mountains with verdant vegetation, lots of blossoms, and other seasonal beauty. During summer, the Huanghuacheng Great Wall's countryside is swathed in yellow, as masses of wildflowers come into bloom. The highest point of the wall is a broken watchtower, and from there, you will have a broad panoramic view of the whole valley.
Most of the Great Wall around Xishuiyu is reasonably good, deteriorated, but not collapsed condition. None of the Great Wall here has been restored, so it retains its original condition. As we follow the Wall to the west here, you will get views of the Xiaoxihu reservoir. We will see a real treat from our vantage on the Wall, 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