GREAT WALL CAMPING FOR FAMILIES
TOUR 2HB: A low-challenging walking and camping on the Great Wall for family travelers
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.
Guaranteed camping inside the watchtower!
The Great Wall is built on top of dangerous peaks and cliffs, and is known for its majestic beauty and steepness. Here in the beacon where ancient soldiers were stationed and camped, you can sleep through the night, looking brightly at the moon and looking forward to the rising sun. It was on this Great Wall that the campers spent many a dark night and many a sacrifice in the battles that were fought here. Today, we have camping tents and sleeping bags for you to legally experience a certain day in history. We have everything ready for you. Please look forward to the enchanting sunrise tomorrow morning.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Hike the lakeside Huanghuacheng and camp on the Wall
In the morning your guide will pick you up from your hotel, and will be driven directly to Huanghuacheng (or Huanghua Great Wall).
We will go up at the passageway - “ZhenNuPass” - meaning “Defeat to Invaders”, a warning to potential attackers in ancient times. This part is unrestored but is not difficult for kids to walk. From here we will continue to trek easttward, walking for 2 hours till we reach the restored part where you are welcomed by a large lake. Look down from the Wall, the lake lays quietly with the mountains surrounded. This is a fantastic place to take stunning pictures.
We will return to Zhennu Pass and rest in a farm inn called "Times of the Ancient Pass." We will have a gourmet country-style Chinese dinner. All the vegetables are planted here and all the poultry are raised here locally.
Upon sunset arrives, you may walk for just 10 minutes back to the Wall to catch the magnificent views from a watchtower. When it is dark, you will walk for just 10 minutes back to the tower where you will spend the night by camping.
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: Meet the sunrise and tour the beautiful Mutianyu
We will wake up in early morning to catch the sunrise only can be seen from the Great Wall. We'll deliver breakfast to your watchtower! After breakfast, we'll drive to Mutianyu for another tour.
As one of the best-preserved parts of the Great Wall, the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall used to serve as the northern barrier defending the capital and the imperial tombs.
Compared with other sections of Great Wall, the Mutianyu Great Wall possesses unique characteristics in its construction. Watchtowers are densely placed along this section of the Great Wall - 22 watchtowers on this 2,250-meter-long stretch. Both the outer and inner parapets are crenellated with merlots, so that shots could be fired at the enemy on both sides - a feature very rare on other parts of the Great Wall. The Mutianyu Pass consists of 3 watchtowers, one big in the center and two smaller on both sides. Standing on the same terrace, the three watchtowers are connected to each other inside and compose a rarely seen structure among all sections of Great Wall. This section of the Great Wall has seen its fair share if important visitors, from world leaders to sports clubs (the NBA's Golden State Warriors).
You may try the cable car to go up and togoggan sleigh to go down. It is a lot of fun to try this sliding sleigh to kids and adults.
You will be treated a gourmet lunch locally before returning to Beijing in the afternoon.
Meals: Lunch in a Great Wall restaurant
Bottled Water: Unlimited