8 Day Great Wall Hiking Adventure

8 day tour (Land only) ­ Beijing, Huangya Guan, Simatai, Jinshanling, Mutianyu, Huanghuacheng, Juyongguan

 

Explore remote sections of the Great Wall!

Built to ward off enemies in ancient times, today the Great Wall brings together people from all corners of the world. A must see for anyone going to China, even a few hours along the fabled Great Wall is the experience of a lifetime. Hiking along the Great Wall, however, is substantially different than simply making the usual short visit. You will not only accept a challenge physically, but also obtain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Chinese history and culture, as well as man's creative power. In addition, you have the chance to visit and explore beautiful sections of the Great Wall that most people will never see.

Day – by – Day Itinerary:

Day 1 Arrive Beijing
Upon arrival in Beijing, you are met by your China Travel Service tour guide and transferred to Capital Hotel (or similar).

Day 2 Beijing/Huangyaguan  (B, L, D)
Drive to Huangyaguan and check into Huanyaguan Great Wall Hotel at the foot of the Wall. Hike along the wall from Taipingzhai to the base area. The Great Wall at Huangya Pass acquired its name from the yellow cliffs into which it was built. Built across the Ju River in Jixian County, the pass and its round guardhouse, Phoenix Tower, have an imposing look. The most unique feature here is the Street of the Eight Diagrams, an architectural wonder of the Ming Dynasty lying just below the pass. A labyrinth meant to confuse and entrap invading armies, this fortification's design is based on the ancient trigrams of the Book of Changes. Lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon free or hike along the west wing of the Wall. Optional visit to the Great Wall Museum. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 3 Huangyaguan/Simatai/Jinshanling  (B, L, D)
Check out of your hotel after breakfast, then drive to the Great Wall at Simatai. Here the wall travels along the ridges of high mountains and, at certain points, along cliffs formed by huge rocks, where builders were able to create an impregnable wall by merely piling up a few layers of bricks. Hike from Simatai to Jinshanling with lunchbox enroute (approximately 4 hours), and then check into the Jinshanling Hotel. The Jinshanling section is virtually a museum of the architectural styles of Ming-era towers. As many as 67 are found within a distance of only 10 kms. The towers are built in a surprising variety of shapes, the largest of which is the impressive "Storehouse Tower", so named because of the storehouse on its southern terrace. This tower was used as a garrison headquarters and is protected by special defensive barriers and an extra wall 60 meters downhill.

Day 4 Jinshanling/Mutianyu/Huanghuacheng (B, L, D)
Check out of your hotel after breakfast, then drive to the Great Wall at Mutianyu and embark on another full-day hike (approximately 5 hours), lunchbox provided. The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall is known for its beautiful surroundings - dense woods and rich pastures changing colors with the seasons of the year. It winds its way over 1000 meters to the crest of a mountain before turning sharply and dipping downhill, forming a triangle known as the "Ox-Horn Wall". Two unique features of this section are the double battlements and branch walls found throughout the area. Overnight Huanghuacheng Hotel.

Day 5 Huanghuacheng/Juyongguan  (B, L, D)
Full day walk along the Great Wall at Huanghuacheng (Yellow Flower Fortress). Here the Wall clings to a high hillside adjacent to a reservoir. Lunch box provided. Dinner at Dayi Friendship Restaurant. Overnight Zhongshang Hotel.

Day 6 Juyongguan/Beijing (B, L, D)
Full day walk along the Juyongguan Great Wall. Juyong Pass is site of an ancient citadel (or pass town in Chinese). The town is replete with military installations, watch towers, official residences, temples, a confucian school and other structures. The Juyong Pass has been known for its strategic importance for more than 2,000 years. Lunch box provided or lunch at Dayi Friendship Restaurant. Drive back to Beijing in the afternoon and check into the Peace Hotel (or similar).

Day 7 Beijing (B, L, D)
Have a day free to explore on your own, or arrange an optional sightseeing tour to some of Beijing's cultural attractions. Gala Peking Duck Dinner at famous Quanjude Restaurant.

Day 8 Depart Beijing (B)
Transfer to the airport for your next destination.

B= Breakfast                 L= Lunch           D= Dinner

The best times for hiking along the Great Wall are April, May, early June, September, October, and early November. Not recommended during the bitter cold of winter or the sweltering heat of summer. Your hiking tour along the Great Wall includes English-speaking guide(s), transfers to and from the airport, hotel accommodations as listed, transportation for yourself and one piece of luggage between sections of the Great Wall, meals as listed, 2 bottles of drinking water during the hikes, admission fees and Beijing Duck dinner.

2006 Dates & Cost:

	For payment, trip cancellation, please refer to the Terms & Conditions
	For more information, please feel free to contact us at 1-800-865-6221 or email to us at info@chinacustomtours.com