Embark on a thrilling 2-day hiking adventure along the iconic Great Wall of China at Gubeikou & Jinshanling. Explore remote sections, encounter original towers, and immerse in the rural life with a local farmer guide.
Beijing to Jinshanling
Jinshanling Great Wall - A 40-minute walk up the steps will take you to the East-Five-Eye watchtower at Simatai West/Jinshanling East. You might need to catch your breath before reaching the Wall, but you’ll be rewarded with a stunning panoramic view of this incredible human achievement. After a short break and some photos, we’ll head westward to Jinshanling. We’ll exit the wall at Shalingkou in Jinshanling, or if you’re feeling energetic, you can walk another 30 minutes and exit at Zhuanduokou. The unrestored wall, watchtowers, and beacon towers stretch across the mountains from east to west. You’ll have the chance to meet local farmers, try homemade food, and learn about community development. This is a prime spot for keen photographers along the wall.
After a late lunch, the driver will take you to Gubeikou village (a 20-minute drive). Here, you’ll learn how to make dumplings under the host’s guidance. Dinner will include dumplings and other local produce.
Gubeikou to Beijing
The Great Wall of Gubeikou - After breakfast, we’ll start hiking at 08:30 from Coaling Dragon Hill (Panlongshan) at Gubeikou towards Jinshanling. This section is wild, original, and less-visited. Usually, there are no other people on the wall, so you’ll have it to yourself. The hike will take about 5 hours and cover 9km.
Gubeikou, along with the passes at Shanhaiguan in the east and Juyongguan in the west, was a key strategic target in military campaigns since ancient times. Protecting these three passes was crucial for keeping Beijing safe from Mongolian nomads. There was also a fierce battle between Chinese and Japanese forces during World War II. The views of the Wall winding over the ridges of the Yanshan Mountain are breathtaking.
Lunch will be organized at a local restaurant. After lunch, our farmer guide will bid us farewell, and the driver will take you back to Beijing.
- Lunch
- Air-conditioned vehicle with experienced driver
- Limited English-speaking local farmer guide
- Dinner
- Unlimited bottled water; meals as per itinerary
- Breakfast
- Certificate of completion for Great Wall hike
- One night accommodation at local guesthouse
- travel insurance
- personal expenses
This two-day hiking provides you with many original towers and challenge in remote sections of the Great Wall in an affordable way. The driver will pick you up at downtown meeting point and then drive to the Great Wall, and the local farmer guide will greet you upon arrival. The farmer guide will escort you for 2 days hiking on the Wall. Jinshanling & Gubeikou are far away from Beijing, less-visited all year round. There’s also a chance to learn the daily life in rural China.
- What to take:
- comfortable shoes or boots, sunscreen, sun-glasses, first aid kit, lip balm, cap
- Notes:
- You will hike the Wall from A to B every day and your belongings will go with the car/van directly to the accommodation, and you need a day pack to carry water, snacks and other stuff.
- Travel insurance is optional and is the sole responsibility of travellers. It is strongly encouraged to have coverage of injury or accident.
- There is no toilet along the path on the Wall. There are toilets at the entrance of Gubeikou & Jinshanling, otherwise be prepared to commune with nature. Please prepare before hiking and always carry toilet paper by yourself.
- Bottled waters are stored in our car/van for hiking every day.
- We will bring trekking poles in our car/van and please tell your guide if you need one.
- It’s recommended to prepare some snacks before your departure from Beijing.
- As responsible travelers, we “take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprint”.
- A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
