Great Wall Hiking to Six Famous Sections
TOUR 3AC: Gubeikou-Jinshanling-Jinshanling-West Simatai-Lakeside Huanghuacheng-Xishuiyu
Highlights
Suppose you are looking for breathtaking views with a relatively peaceful walk. In that case, the Jinshanling-West Simatai Great Wall hike is perfect for you. You'll also get stunning views of the sunset from the vantage point of the Great Wall. It is, without a doubt, one of the highlights of your entire China trip.
Huanghuacheng was built in Ming Dynasty with very sophisticated technology, and thus the Wall was excellent and robust. In the 1930s, Japanese invaders tried to raze the Wall to enter Beijing, so they let a part of the Wall fell into the water with explosives.
The Xishuiyu Great Wall is partially under the water. Therefore, both Huanghuacheng and Xishuiyu are unique because the Great Wall is under a lake or reservoir. No other section of the Wall has this feature.
Sleep overnight on the Great Wall! It is the once-in-your-life experience that you never want to miss! It is sure to be an unforgettable experience! Watch the sunrise and sunset from the best seat in the house!
All necessary camping gear such as tents, pads & bags is provided. For those of you curious about Great Wall camping conditions, please be advised that camping on the Great Wall is rugged and adventurous. You should expect a reduced low comfort level. Following dinner, we'll walk about 20-30 minutes to the camping site in the Great Wall watchtower. It is there we will set up a tent, sleeping bags, etc.
Camping both nights on the Great Wall of China like what ancient warriors did!
Guaranteed Camping
A few agents claim they can do so, but that's not true. They usually mean that they may take you to the foot of the Great Wall to camp on the ground or 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 you to camp on the Great Wall, hence why this program's price is higher than most. Great Wall Adventure Club is the only company approved by the Great Wall Administration Office to offer international guests camping. That is what sets us apart from other operators.
TREK DETAILS
DAY 1: Majestic Gubeikou-Jinshanling
Hiking Distance: 10km/6miles
Hours to Take: 4.5
Accommodation: Hostel at Jinshanling
Meals: Lunch and dinner
Water: Unlimited bottles
We will leave Beijing at 9:30 am and drive 2 hours to Jiankou.
From your pick up we will drive directly to the Gubeikou Great Wall. The drive should take a little over 2.5 hours. The Gubeikou Great Wall occupies a strategically important location, which is difficult to access. Situated between Shanhaiguan Pass and Juyongguan Pass, and about 62 miles to Beijing, the bastion is protecting the northern gateway to the capital. There are 14 beacon towers, 143 watchtowers, 16 strategic pass, three citadels, and many other military constructions.
In the afternoon, we will eventually cross over into the Jinshanling Great Wall. The Great Wall at Jinshanling is one of the Great Wall's best-preserved parts 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.
DAY 2: Jinshanling-West Simatai-Beijing
Hiking Distance: 8 kms/5 miles
Hours to Take: 3.5
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Camp at Huanghaucheng Great Wall
Water: Unlimited bottles
The first thing we'll do today is to watch the magnificent sunrise early in the morning. After a quick breakfast, we will resume our hike on Jinshanling's right-wing, where we will hike until we reach Simatai West, 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. Suppose you are looking for breathtaking views with a relatively peaceful walk. The Second Valley of Jinshanling can't be a better place to take pictures, so we hope you remember 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. It is thereby a perfect example of the real Great Wall, while too wonderful and rustic. The Wall is 7.8 m high and 5 - 6 m thick at the bottom. There are 'obstacle-walls' built perpendicular to the parapets - a feature unique to the Second Valley part of Jinshanling Great Wall.
Today, we'll camp on the Great Wall at Huanghuacheng, the quietest and zero crowded part of the Great Wall with lakes down the mountain. Enjoy the peace under the moonlight, and wake up to welcome the sunset. Have a Chinese breakfast delivered to the Wall before you walk down.
DAY 3: Lakeside Huanghuacheng-Xishuiyu
Hiking Distance: 10km/8miles
Hours to Take: 4.5
Accommodation: Great Wall Farmotel
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Water: Unlimited bottles
We will wake up at 7:30 AM with breakfast at the hotel. We will then continue our trek, this time from Huanhuacheng to Xishuiyu.
Huanghuacheng, like Jiankou, is fast becoming popular with hikers and tourists who are looking for something a little different in their Great Wall experience. The wall here is a combination of restored and unrestored areas, giving your hike a bit more variety and adventure. When you reach the middle of the wall, you will be able to see that the countryside is swathed in yellow, as masses of wildflowers come into bloom. We will then cross over onto the Xishuiyu section. Today’s hike is quite special-part of the wall underwater! In 1974 China built the Xishuiyu Reservoir.
Following our hike today, our driver will take us back to Beijing, where you will be dropped off at your hotel, ending the tour. In the afternoon, we will drive back to Beijing and arrive at your hotel around 5:00 PM.