TOUR MAP & BRIEF ITINERARY
Great Wall Sections and Tour Brief
For those who want to get away from Beijing and do some real exploring, this tour is an amazing way to learn about the Great Wall. Starting at the Great Wall’s eastern-most point on the East China Sea, we’ll gradually make our way westward while hiking on the Great Wall. Initially beginning at Old Dragon’s Head, we’ll explore many section of the Great Wall that are in their natural and unrestored state, you’ll get a degree of piece and solitude that you won’t find on the Great Wall’s busier sections.
We’ll conclude our Great Wall odyssey with a visit to the Baiyangyu Great Wall, a little-known section that is notable in that 1.5km of the wall here is pure marble, something you will not see anywhere else. As this hike does require lots of physical activity, we ask that you make sure you’re in the right physical condition before undergoing this program
Great Wall Camping Guarantee
Camping on the Wild Wall, which is not known to outsiders but is the most heartwarming and fascinating, is the embodiment of a dream. Looking at the moonlight of the mountains, the stars, imagine, what a rare opportunity. We have a government permit for Great Wall Camping and can make sure you don't lose this experience to remember for a lifetime.
MEMORABLE TIME
GREAT WALL CHALLENGE DETAILS
Day 1: Beijing - Old Dragon’s Head - Shanhaiguan
Day 1: Beijing - Old Dragon’s Head - Shanhaiguan
Day 1: Beijing - Old Dragon’s Head - Shanhaiguan
We will start with a 4.5-hour drive to the Shanhaiguan Pass (The First Pass of Great Wall of China), which is in a town situated in the northeast of Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province. It adjoins the Bohai Sea to the southeast and the Yanshan Mountain to the northwest.
We'll visit the Great Wall Museum to learn about the history of the Great Wall. We will start our hike at Old Dragon’s Head, also known as Laolongtou, the most eastern section of the Great Wall, which extends into the Bohai Sea. Standing here is almost like being on a peninsula as you can feel the overwhelming power of the rolling sea.
In the end, we'll visit Shanhaiguan Pass Fortress, which is also known as “The First Pass Under Heaven”. Climbing up the Zhendong Tower, you will see that to one side of the tower is the rolling sea, while on the other lies the impressive Great Wall.
INCLUDED
Meals: L, D
Accommodation: Shanhai Hotel or similar
Day 2: Jiaoshan – Sandaoguan - Dongjiakou
Day 1: Beijing - Old Dragon’s Head - Shanhaiguan
Day 1: Beijing - Old Dragon’s Head - Shanhaiguan
The Jiaoshan Peak is two miles away from Shanghaiguan. Though relatively diminutive in size, this is the first actual mountain the Great Wall passes heading west, and so is known as “the first mountain of the Great Wall.” Jiaoshan ancient wall provides you a sense of historical vicissitude. The wall appears more and more crumbled and deformed as you forge ahead.
Hiking partly on the wall and partly by following a wild mountain trail in a northeasterly direction for about three to four hours, you will find yourself in the beautiful valley overlooked by Mt. Longevity: huge stones, quiet forest and crystal creeks. In the shadow of Mt. Longevity sits the little village of Sandaoguan with about 35 families living in it. We will drive to Dongjiakou Great Wall and overnight there.
Walk: 11 miles
INCLUDED
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Dongjiakou Village Hostel
Day 3: Dongjiakou-Chengzhiyu-Xiaohekou
Day 1: Beijing - Old Dragon’s Head - Shanhaiguan
Day 3: Dongjiakou-Chengzhiyu-Xiaohekou
In the early morning after breakfast, we will hike up the mountain in Dongjiakou village for the beautiful arch-stones that contains amazing reliefs, and Cihou, a ruined fortress that can only be seen in this part of the Wall (about one hour). Then we will go around Dongjiakou village to more closely examine the ruins of the fortress and chat with the villagers, who are the descendants of the builders and guards of the Great Wall. The hike takes about 2.5 hours or 3 hours. Lunch is at Dongjiakou.
The rest of the trek to Xiaohekou takes us about 5 hours, passing Chengziyu village on the way (where we will have our lunch). At the end of the trek, we will drive from Xiaohekou to the nearby Qingfeng hostel.
Walk: 10 miles
INCLUDED
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Xiaohekou Hostel or similar
Day 4: Baiyangyu Marble Wall
Day 4: Baiyangyu Marble Wall
Day 3: Dongjiakou-Chengzhiyu-Xiaohekou
Baiyangyu enjoys the unique reputation of marble Great Wall. “Baiyangyu” literally means “White Sheep Valley”. A river called Baiyang River passes the valley from north to south. There used to be a grand water pass of the Great Wall bridging the valley which now still divides the Baiyangyu Great Wall into two sections – East and West. The east section of the Wall has a 1.5km unique marble wall, 10km high and 5m wide, rarely seen among other sections of the wall.
We'll retun to Beijing this afternoon.
Walk: 6 miles
INCLUDED
Meals: B, L
Complimentary Airport Drop-off
Day 4: Baiyangyu Marble Wall
Complimentary Airport Drop-off
We will transfer you to the airport from your hotel in Beijing for free. It's our appreciation to you for having chosen us for your lifetime Great Wall experience.
Food on the Road
Day 4: Baiyangyu Marble Wall
Complimentary Airport Drop-off
We'll treat you with farm-to-table meals and special breakfast watchtower delivery on the camping day. We offer a dining experience that reflects the unique ingredients and creativity of every part of the Great Wall we travel. After an active day on the Wall, it's time to see what other great choices are on the menu. Have a food allergy or a restricted diet? Just let us know, and we'll make sure there are meal options available to you.