Day 1: Depart London Heathrow for Beijing
Day 2: Beijing
Arrive in Beijing during the morning, where (depending on our arrival time) we may be able to take a city tour and visit the Forbidden City. On arrival at our city hotel we can freshen up and relax! There will be a full trip briefing in the evening.
(Dinner is not included)
Day 3: Beijing – Huangyaguan
We transfer from the busy streets of Beijing, driving northwest into the hills above Huangyaguan (3.5-4.5 hours). Huangyaguan is situated in a beautiful valley in the heart of the Yanshan Mountains.
After a scenic drive through a landscape of hills and lakes, we arrive at our village and see the Great Wall for the first time, as it snakes along the ridgeline of the mountains.
After a good traditional lunch we start our trek! The Wall is well renovated here and disappears into the horizon in both directions. After some steep step sections, which give a good indication of what lies ahead, we walk predominantly downhill until we reach the small town of Huangyaguan. Here the wall crosses the road that leads to our nearby accommodation.
Approx 2 – 3 hours walking
Day 4: Huangyaguan – Mountain Village
Our day’s walk begins where we left the Wall yesterday, and we head up the steep renovated steps towards what appears to be a sheer cliff face. This is where we encounter ‘Heavens Ladder’, a steep climb of over 200 steps leading us up the cliff face.
There are fabulous views from the top and, once we have caught our breath the path continues gradually on steep tracks through forest, up to the top of the ridge. Once again we join the old Wall, and follow it along the contours of the mountain until we clamber down into the valley below.
We bed down in the houses of a local village, a real cultural experience.
Approx 7 hours walking
Day 5: Village – Jinshanlin
Waving goodbye to our hospitable hosts, we head up through the farming terraces immediately behind the village. The path is steep, and the terraces soon give way to rocky hillsides scattered with scrub. Eventually we re-join the Wall, which is un-restored and crumbling so we follow a path which takes us alongside it, with fabulous views along the ridgeline to the day’s highest point. We drop down the hillside and make our way on winding tracks through trees back into the valley, where farmers grow maize, and walnut and fruit trees. Back at the village, we walk along the village road, enjoying the scenes of rural life, until reaching the main road and our waiting transport. Our drive through the mountains to Jinshanlin (3-4 hours) is very scenic.
Approx 4 – 5 hours walking
Day 6: Gubeiko – Jinshanlin
A quick 20-minute hop in the bus takes us to our start point just outside the village of Gubeiko. We walk through the village and farmland until our path takes us alongside an un-restored, yet well-preserved, section of the Wall. This part appears to be of almost brick-like construction and dates back to the Qing Dynasty, the last dynasty to rule over this vast land.
We follow a track down into the valley in order to skirt a Chinese military post and follow dirt paths through trees and undergrowth before rejoining the Wall. There are some steep sections and we help each other out if need be. Stunning views of the Great Wall snaking along the hilltops keep us going whenever we find it tough!
The final stretch to Jinshanlin is on restored Wall with lots of steps. A short walk through the village and small shops takes us to our simple accommodation.
Approx 7 – 8 hours walking
Day 7: Jinshanlin – Simatei
Today’s stunning walk on this largely restored section of the Wall takes us from Jinshanlin to Simatei. Starting where we left off yesterday, we head up the carefully restored steps which take us into the mountains one final time.
There are a few sections on older bricks and some dirt tracks, but for most of today we walk on good flagstones. The scenery is superb with rolling purple hills fading into the distance.
We leave the Great Wall at Simatei, enjoying the view as it clings precariously to the rock face opposite, dotted with many watchtowers; classic ‘scales on a dragon’s back’ scenery.
We cross a pedestrian bridge and finish the day with the opportunity to zip slide (approx 35 yuan) across the lake and then catch a small boat ride back across to our accommodation. If you prefer not to zip slide it is an easy 30 minute walk down.
Approx 6 hours walking
Day 8: Simatei – Mutianyu
Our day starts with a bus transfer (approx 3 hrs) from our hotel at Simatei to Mutianyu Great Wall. Our trek starts with a brief walk through a friendly village before we climb for 1-2 hours up the hillside, where we may see villagers gathering firewood. We can see the Wall high on the ridge ahead of us, and slowly wind our way up to it. Once more our efforts are rewarded by stunning views as the Wall disappears from view in both directions and this marks a great end to our trek.
We start our final descent to our hotel at Mutianyu, not missing the opportunity to do some haggling in the markets before reaching the hotel, (carry some money with you for this!) We mark the evening with another fine feast and a few celebratory drinks in the bar.
Approx 4 – 5 hours walking
Day 9: Return to Beijing
We load up the bus and transfer to Beijing, the nation’s capital and home to over 13 million people. The city’s frenetic energy is quite a contrast to the natural scenery and remote tranquility of the past few days. We have an opportunity to visit a silk factory en-route and after checking into our hotel the afternoon is free for more shopping or a relaxing foot massage before preparing for an evening celebration to mark our achievement.
Day 10: Return to the UK
Depending on flight schedules, there is free time until the transfer to the airport for the flight back to London Heathrow. Please note that overnight flights arrive back into Heathrow the next morning. (Lunch not included)
