The EXTREME Seven Day Beijing Great Wall Challenge
TOUR 7X: Unrestored Badaling-Stone Gorge Pass-Huanghuacheng-Xishuiyu-Jiankou-Mutianyu-Gubeikou-Jinsh
Warning: This tour is not for the faint of heart as it is our most challenging program. This seven day adventure is truly designed for the most experienced of hikers and may not be suitable for families with small children. During this program, you’ll put your mind and body to the limit, as you’ll endure seven consecutive days of 5+ hours of hiking. For those up to the task however, the reward is more than suitable, as you’ll be treated to a cornucopia of Great Wall fun and excitement.
You’ll have the opportunity to try your at hand at every single challenging Beijing-area Great Wall hike. All of the most popular hikes are here for you to encounter. For these hikes, we will be taking the long route, so your endurance will be put to the test. You’ll also get to experience a long overlooked hike-Badaling-Shixiaguan. To top it all off, you’ll get to camp overnight on the Great Wall itself-which is sure to be one of your most cherished memories of your China trip.
So for those of you that are man (or woman) enough, give this seven day Great Wall challenge a try, you won’t be sorry that you had.
7-day Great Wall Trekking Itinerary
Day 1: Shixiaguan-Badaling
Shixiaguan (Stone Gorge) Pass, 5km southwest of the Badaling section of the Great Wall. It is one of the most intact parts of the whole Great Wall. In spite of serious damage, the winding wall set in the lofty mountains reveals its grandeur. However, a castle in Shixiaguan was pulled down during the Great Leap Forward. Nevertheless, the wall remain srelatively intact because of its strategic location. Shixiaguan Pass was originally built in the reign of Ming Emperor Wanli(about 1600 AD), which was then a key pass guarded by a largen umber of soldiers.
INCLUDED
Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Good Fortune Inn
Day 2: Huanghuacheng Lakeside
Huanghuacheng is the only section that sits beside the lakes, so it is called Lakeside Great Wall. Since the lake breaks this section of the Great Wall into three segments naturally, its uniqueness might surprise you.
The Hanghuacheng Reservoir lies here, shaped like a curved moon. The highest point of the wall is a broken watchtower, and from there you will have a wide panoramic view of the whole valley. From this summit the Wall dives steeply downwards into the valley.
INCLUDED
Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Camping on the Wal
Day 3: Majestic Jiankou
Jiankou is the part where the shape of the mountain looks like an arrow, with the collapsed ridge opening as its arrow nock. It is known for its ruggedness and wild beauty, and you will be in awe of the marvelous views it affords. As soon as we reach Jiankou we will see a deserted watchtower that gives you a panoramic view of the entire valley. In the early morning the view is priceless with its morning fog. This is the pinnacle of exotic Great Wall scenery.
Once we descend from the Great Wall we will spend the night at a farmer’s inn.
INCLUDED
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Good Fortune Inn
Day 4: Jiankou-Mutianyu
From Jiankou we will cross over onto Mutianyu, a section of the Wall that has been largely restored. Although it has gotten a face-lift, it avoids the army of tourists that plague Badaling. Mutianyu offers some breathtaking views of the valley and wall below, and if you look to your right you’ll see a large sign engraved in the side of the mountain encouraging you to “Cherish the teachings of Chairman Mao.” Mutianyu has also become popular for visiting foreign leaders and celebrities.
INCLUDED
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Campiing on the Great Wall at Gubeikou
Day 5: Gubeikou-Jinshanling
Gubeikou is mostly Wild Wall. It was first built during the Northern Qi Dynasty (550-557) and rebuilt in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Stretching for about 25 miles (40 kilometers), there are 172 watchtowers, 14 beacon towers, 16 passes, 3 water passes, 3 barbarians, and 6 fortresses along it.
In 1933, Chinese army fought against Japanese invasion troops at Gubeikou. In the four-month-long battles, over 5,000 Japanese soldiers were killed while 9,000 Chinese soldiers died. You can see that Gubeikou is not merely a relic but it remained as a battlefield in modern world.
INCLUDED
Meals: B, L,D
Accommodation: Camping on the Wal
Day 6: Jinshanling to West Simatai
Our hike will start from Simatai, and we will make our way west along the wall into Jinshanling. This is the classic Great Wall that hikers are very thrilled about. wall enthusiasts have done. The Wall runs from deteriorated wild state to the restored in the end to allow hikers to compare the differences between the two wall status.
Tonight, we will saty at the foot of Huangyaguang Great Wall.
INCLUDED
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Huangyaguan Hotel
Day 7: Huangyaguan Sky Ladde
Today we'll start with Peace Fort (Taipingzhai) that starts from Banlagang Mountain in the east and arriving at Guafu Tower (Widow Tower) in the west. There are six watch towers, one battlement, and one shortcut leading to the wall.
Waking westward, we will get to the steepest segment of this section, the Huangya Sky Ladder. Stretching to the top of the ridge, this long stairway seemingly leads to the sky. Climbing over the ladder, we will reach the primitive Great Wall built in the Northern Qi Dynasty, marking the end of the Huangyaguan section.
We will end this adventure tonight.
INCLUDED
Meals: B, L
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
Have a food allergy or restricted diet? Just let us know and we'll make sure there are meal options available to you.
