GREAT WALL CAMPING FOR BEGINNERS AND FAMILIES
TOUR 2HB: The combination of Great Wall hiking and camping experience without exhausted walking
HIGHLIGHTS
This entry-level overnight program catches the most precious views of the oldest parts around Beijing - Gubeikou, and Jinshanling. Rather than getting yourself sweaty, you have plenty of time to watch and take away the breath-taking panoramic views. You will be amazed at how the Great Wall snakes and winds its way across the countryside here. The highlight of this trip is the night tenting in a famous original watchtower on the Great Wall. Tonight you will be a warrior that guards Beijing. The walk is not very demanding during this hike. The program was designed to suit all, including children and seniors.
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Guaranteed camping inside the watchtower!
Can you imagine this beacon you're camping at is the command post of the generals who fought countless battles that year? On this wild Great Wall, the guards encamped, camped in the beacon, and did not sleep a day in peace. Today, we have camping tents and sleeping bags for you to be a warrior guarding Beijing. Your camping is legal and safe. We have everything ready for you. Please look forward to the enchanting sunrise tomorrow morning.
BRIEF TRIP ITINERARY
DAY 1: Great Wall hiking at Gubeikou. Camping on the Wall.
We'll leave Beijing at 10 am. Drive 2 hours to Gubekou, where you will first enjoy a delicious lunch at the foot of the Great Wall. Gubeikou was the battlefield in 1933 when the Chinese army fought against the Japanese invasion. You may hike on this ancient part of the Wall for 3 hours. You will come across the General's Tower whiich was the Chinese army's headquarters in the battles. The Wall here is now a relic with 100% untouched. Camping on the Great Wall will be the highlight of the day!
DAY 2: Watch the sunrise and walk at Jinshanling for 3 hours.
The typical sunrise time is around 5 am in the summer, or 7 am in winter. You won't want to miss the moment. After you complete your sunrise watching and adequate rest, we'll walk from Jinshanling to West Simatai. Those two sections offer a perfect example of the Great Wall state's transition from the original to the rebuilt. We'll return to Beijing in the afternoon.
MEMORABLE TIME
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Hiking Gubeikou- the Oldest Great Wall Section and Camping in A Watchtower
10:00 am. We will meet you at your hotel. You will arrive at the Gubeikou section of the Great Wall in 2.5 hours to start your hike in the afternoon. Upon arriving, you will walk for 2 hours to learn the grandeur of the Great Wall of its original state. With relatively flatter terrain and zero crowds, the route we take for this short hike is somewhat less challenging and suitable for seniors and young children and those who are adventure beginners.
Protecting the Gubeikou pass was considered vital for keeping Beijing safe from the Mongolian nomads. The Gubeikou hike is to satisfy your curiosity about what the original Great Wall was formed and designed to keep out hostile armies and why it is strategically crucial to Beijing's defense. Even in modern wars, the Great Wall was effectively used. Gubeikou was the battlefield in 1933 when the Chinese army fought against the Japanese invasion.
With the entire section being remained a relic of the Great Wall, no part of Gubeikou has been restored. When you seek the original beauty of the Great Wall, Gubeikou is the right place. The history of the Great Wall here will impress you. The moderate gradients, flatter terrain, and less steep climb up and down make it an excellent choice for the beginners.
After viewing the sunset, you will climb down and have dinner at a nearby farm inn where you will enjoy delicious Chinese stir-fry with rice for your dinner. Then, before it gets dark, you will go up to the mountain and sleep overnight in a watchtower. We will 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 on Great Wall
If camping is not your choice, you may overnight in a home inn at the foot of the Great Wall.
Day 2: Hike the Magnificent Jinshanling and West Simatai Great Wall
Waking up at about 5 am in the summer, or 6:30 am in the winter, you will meet the magnificent sunrise from the Great Wall. Take a lot of pictures and videos! After having continental breakfast, you will be transferred to Jinshanling to start today's hike. It will be about 2.5-3 hours.
Jinshanling is one of the best-preserved parts of the Great Wall with many original features. It got its name because it was built on the Greater and Lesser Jinshan ('Gold Mountain') Ranges. The Jinshanling Great Wall has not been repaired since 1570. It is a remote and relatively isolated section of the Great Wall. As there are relatively few tourists at Jinshanling Great Wall, it is an excellent place to explore on foot.
This section of the Great Wall is renowned as the "Paradise of Photographers." The majority of China's published pictures or paintings are based on the magnificent appearance and exhilarating scenery. Use your cameras to take the beautiful home!
You will be treated to a gourmet lunch locally before returning to Beijing in the afternoon.
Meals: Lunch in a Great Wall restaurant
Bottled Water: Unlimited