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The Imperial Treasure Meets The Great Wall Grandeur
TOUR 2X1: Explore the imperial grandeur, modern Olympic Park and wonder of the Great Wall
TOUR 2X1 SUMMARY
2 IN 1. In addition to sleeping on the Great Wall, this tour quite nicely introduces you to China, both modern and ancient, and for a two-day trip, pretty much shows you the best of Beijing, using your time in the best way possible. The tour starts with a visit to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Then it is off to the Olympic Green, the area where China hosted the 2008 Olympics and again to host the 2022 Winter Olympics. We'll then set out for the meat of the trip by going to the Great Wall at Jinshanling, famed for its brickwork, watchtowers, and sweeping vistas. Tonight, at The General's Watchtower, you'll get to sleep under the stars on the Great Wall! The next day you'll hike to Gubeikou, an unrestored piece of "wild" Great Wall, before being driven back to your hotel.
>> 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!
The guards guarded the Great Wall hundreds of years ago, protecting the Forbidden City's royalty and Beijing people. They camped in this beacon, sleeping on the Wall under challenging conditions, alerting the enemy in the dark to any sudden attack. Today, we have camping tents and sleeping bags for you to experience what they felt back in the day. 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: The Forbidden City and the Olympic Park
We'll pick you up at 8 am. We'll visit Beijing’s premier attraction, the Forbidden City. After lunch, we'll continue to the Olympic Park, the center of the event that captivated the world in August of 2008 and where the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics will start from. We'll transfer to Gubeikou, where you'll have unforgettable camping inside a famous ancient watchtower.
DAY 2: Great Wall at Jinshanling and West Simatai
We will get your day started at 5:30 am so you can watch the gorgeous sunrise over the Great Wall. From 8 to 11:30, we'll hike from Jinshanling to West Simatai and pass about 15 watchtowers. You will notice that the wall gradually deteriorates into its natural state as you proceed westward, which is an interesting contrast from the restored wall you initially experienced. We'll return to your hotel by 5 pm.
MEMORABLE TIME
DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY 1: The Forbidden City, Olympic Park, and Gubeikou Camping
At about 8 am, your English-speaking tour guide, and driver will pick you up from your hotel, and from there, we will drive to Beijing’s premier attraction, the Forbidden City. Known in Chinese as Gu Gong, the Forbidden City is the largest surviving palace complex and the former home of the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasty. The Forbidden City is one of the most fantastic attractions in the world.
After our tour, we will walk across the street to China’s political nexus, Tiananmen Square. The largest public square in the world, Tiananmen Square, is seen as China’s political center.
We’ll then have lunch before driving over to the Olympic Park, the center of the event that captivated the world for two weeks in August of 2008 and is where most of the Olympic events took place. The highlights that you will see today include the Bird’s Nest (officially known as the Beijing National stadium) and the Water Cube (the Beijing National Aquatics Center). The place will be used again in February 2022 Winter Olympics,
At about 2:00 pm, we’ll begin our drive to the Great Wall at Gubeikou, and we should arrive there at about 4 pm. You will witness how the wall twists and winds along with the steep mountain range from the Wall here. This is as dramatic a view on the Great Wall as you’ll find. You will also have the opportunity to watch the sunset fall over the Great Wall, a thrilling sight indeed!
At about 6 pm, we’ll climb down from the wall to have dinner at a local farmer’s house. The meal will be as almost as authentic a Chinese dinner as you can have. Then we’ll climb back on the Great Wall, where you will get to spend the night inside one of Great Wall's ruined watchtowers or by the Wall. We’ll provide you with the sleeping bags, tents, and other camping material will be provided.
Meals: Lunch in Beijing & Dinner at Gubeikou
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 to West Simatai Hike (10 kms, 4.5 hours of hiking)
We will get your day started at 5:30 am so you can watch the gorgeous sunrise over the Great Wall.
From 8 to 11:30, we’ll hike from Jinshanling to West Simatai and pass about 15 watchtowers. You will notice that the wall gradually deteriorates into its natural state as you proceed westward, which is an interesting contrast from the restored wall you initially experienced.
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. It 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 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. According to one hiker, this is what you should expect to find at Jinshanling:
“Meticulous detail is evident in the construction of the wall. Everywhere consideration has been given to deterring and defeating invading armies. The uneven steps meant to slow down advancing armies should they make it onto the wall. The narrowing curves and paths would bottleneck and slow them down, limiting the invaders to moving single files, making them vulnerable to the defending army. Far down the mountain, each brick was crafted by thousands of workers and carried up the mountain on mules' backs. The architecture and engineering a feat that would challenge us even today.”
At noon, we will rest for a Chinese lunch before we go back to Beijing. At about 4 pm, you will arrive back at your hotel, ending your tour with us.
Congratulations!
*End of tour*
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch in the local restaurants
Bottled Water: Unlimited