Current as of: December 26, 2024 - 20:09
Walking the Great Wall Trip Notes
- Ways to Travel: Guided Group
- Destination: China
- Programmes: Walking & Trekking
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Activity Level:
4 out of 7 - Moderate & Challenging
- 9 Days: Land Only
- Ages: 16+
- Trip Code: TCW
- Carbon Footprint: 15.4kg CO2e
Trip Overview
Walk one of the seven wonders of the world
Stepping out across the peaceful semi-ruin of a section of the Great Wall is like walking in the footsteps of the past. Far from the tourist crowds we are able to get a great sense of the scale and majesty of this remarkable piece of engineering without rushing through in a big group. We trek along various contrasting sections of the wall, both dilapidated and rebuilt stretches. The old portions have a romantic feel, but the new ones may look odd to people who are used to seeing their ancient monuments in a poor state, though since the wall was constructed over a 2000 year period, the new sections are just a continuation of that process. We will get closer to day-to-day life in rural China before returning to Beijing, a city steeped in history yet plunging headlong into modernity.
At a Glance
- Accommodation: 3 Classic nights (hotel), 5 Simple nights (guesthouse)
- 6 days point-to-point walking with full porterage
- Group normally 4 to 16 plus tour leader and local staff. Min. age 16 yrs
- Low altitude; maximum 1044m, average 600m
- Travel by private minibus
Highlights
- Trek alongside mountains on lesser-visited parts of the wall
- Experience rural life first hand in little villages
- Guided tour or Beijing's 'hutongs', Tiananmen Square & the Forbidden City
- Possibility to add Terracotta Warrior extension
Is This Trip for You?
This trip is graded Activity Level 4 (Moderate & Challenging). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
There are six walking days, with full and half-day walks with vehicle support, and low altitude throughout; maximum 1044m.
Please note that the Chinese authorities can occasionally close off sections of the Great Wall at short notice, in which case your leader will try to offer an alternative walk.
We strongly recommend that you thoroughly read the Exodus grading system before booking this trip. You will need to be confident in your physical ability to attempt this trek.
Walking Conditions
Daily distances are not long but some sections are narrow and overgrown and there are some sections where you will need to use your hands. The wall has deteriorated due to earthquakes and heavy rain in recent years and some parts may vary from trek to trek. There are a couple of hilly days and most days will involve some up and down. Some of the restored areas have very steep steps and therefore may not be suitable for inexperienced walkers or those with a significant aversion to heights.
Parts of the wall we walk on are generally in good condition, between about 5 and 7 metres high and approx. 4 to 5 metres wide but a lot of sections can be steep, and are in poor condition with loose rocks and flagstones.
Accommodation
We spend five nights in basic guesthouses/homestays, as the sections of wall we visit are well away from tourist style hotels. You should be prepared for these conditions and bad roads on this trip in order to get away from the usual crowds in China.
Adult min age: 16
Min group size: 5
Max group size: 16
Itinerary
Land Only
- Start City: Beijing
- End City: Beijing
Land Only Itinerary
Depart London
Arrive Beijing; free afternoon and Beijing duck dinner
Today is free to allow for arrival on various different flights. We meet for a welcome dinner allowing us to sample one of the city’s most famous dishes: Beijing duck. Vegetarians, do not fear – there will be an array of different dishes on a lazy Susan to choose from.
Free arrival transfers are available for all customers arriving into either Beijing’s Capital airport (PEK) or Daxing airport (PKX). Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.
Accommodation: Dong Fang Hotel (or similar)
Drive to Huanghuacheng Great Wall section; afternoon begin trekking.
This morning we leave the capital and head into the countryside to the Great Wall, a 2-2.5 hour journey to the north west of the city. We reach the lesser-visited section at Huanghuacheng, which has an incredibly picturesque location by a lake. The name Huanhuacheng translates as ‘Yellow Flower City’, as during the summer the surrounding mountains are swathed in yellow as the local wild flowers come into bloom. The walk today is relatively challenging and with uneven topography, but the views are worth every effort! We will spend the night in a guesthouse close to this section of the wall.
Accommodation: Fengfuyuan Guesthouse, Huanghuacheng (or similar)
Morning trek at Mutianyu, passing many watchtowers.
Today we take a short drive (1-1.5 hours) to Mutianyu. At this lesser-visited section, the Wall is an impressive sight indeed, snaking off across mountains and valleys into the distance. As one of the best-preserved parts of the Great Wall, the Mutianyu section used to serve as the northern barrier defending the capital and the imperial tombs. There are 22 watchtowers (20 of which are open to the public) on this 2,250-metre-long section. After Mutianyu section, we transfer to Jiankou village to enjoy the hospitality of a local guesthouse.
Accommodation: Mr Zhao Guesthouse at Jiankou (or similar)
Trek at Jiankou's "Wild Wall"
The Jiankou wild wall section was built along a mountain edge and remains completely wild, with towers clinging impossibly to the steepest of ridges. Highlights of the day include “Spiderman Wall”, or “Sanshibadeng” in Chinese; an optional short vertical climb to the top of the wall for a panoramic view (those who are not a fan of climbing/heights can walk around and regroup at the viewpoint). This area is the most photographed section of the Great Wall due to the unique construction style combined with stunning scenery. We walk along this portion for approx. 4 km in the morning, returning to the guesthouse for lunch, then walking about another 4.5 km in the afternoon. We have the option of seeing sunset from the wall.
Accommodation: Mr Zhao Guesthouse at Jiankou (or similar)
Transfer to Jinshanling; Hike the Great Wall Jinshanling section.
Today we walk the length of the Jinshanling Great Wall section (from Erchi Tower to Zhuandoukou Tower), which is renowned for being one of the best-preserved parts of the Great Wall and dates from the Ming Dysnasty (1368-1644). This section reaches seven metres high and six metres wide and incorporates five main passes, sixty-seven watchtowers and two beacon towers as it zig-zags its way through the Big and Small Jinshan Mountains (the Big and Small Jinshan Watchtowers are the highlight). The construction is of huge bricks, each weighing around 12 kilograms (26 pounds) and this section features various structures which were used for an array of functions ranging from weapon stores to soldiers’ bedrooms.
Accommodation: Xiaocui Guesthouse at Jinshanling (or similar)
The most challenging walk today along the Gubeikou section
Today we hike from Zhuanduokou Tower along the Gubeikou section of the wall to Panlongshan. This portion keeps the original essence of the wall and will transport us back to the time of the Han Dynasty. We will pass many watchtowers until we reach the unique 24 Window Tower (three level tower).
Accommodation: Yeshufang Guesthouse at Gubeikou (or similar)
Panlongshan section of the Great Wall
We will walk from Panlongshan north gate to the main entrance.
Following our walk along this part of the wall we’ll drive for about three hours back to Beijing.
Accommodation: Dong Fang (or similar)
Beijing city tour visiting hutongs, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.
We take a morning walking tour of the city’s hutongs (narrow alleys) to see what is left of old Beijing and its traditions. We also visit Tian’anmen Square; the largest in the world and able to hold over a million people. Later in the day, we visit the Forbidden City with its innumerable courtyards and temples.
This evening, recommended optional activities include the amazing Beijing opera or a Kung Fu show, or you may prefer to opt for a foot reflexology treatment to sooth your weary feet! The leader will also arrange a farewell dinner (optional).
Beijing is a fantastic place to explore at your own pace; if you wish to add on any additional time please speak to your sales consultant at the time of booking.
Note
Following the Covid-19 pandemic, maximum numbers of daily visitors to the Forbidden City have been significantly reduced, impacting availability of tickets. Our local team aim to secure tickets for the Forbidden City, but if unable to do so, we’ll visit the Ancestral Temple (used during the Ming and Qing Dynasties to offer sacrifices to ancestors, and architecturally quite similar to the Forbidden City) and the Temple of Heaven. You will be advised at the start of the trip if this change needs to be made.
Accommodation: Dong Fang (or similar)
Fly to London
Fly to London.
End Beijing
Our trips ends today in Beijing after breakfast.
Free departure transfers are available for all customers departing from either Beijing’s Capital airport (PEK) or Daxing airport (PKX). Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.
Extend Your Trip
Xian extension
Extend your adventure with our perfectly designed Xi’an extension. The ancient city of Xi’an is best known for the Terracotta Warriors; an international symbol of China’s long and storied history. While the historical ruins, museums and cultural relics are major draws for the many, the city also offers excellent cuisine, vibrant night markets and the chance to cycle along the imposing city walls.
This extension offers an opportunity to see it all. You will take an overnight train from Beijing and enjoy two full days in Xi’an, with plenty of time to see the major sights. You will be met off your overnight train from Beijing by a local guide, who will accompany you on the Terracotta Warrior visit and city tour. In the evening, you have free time to relax or explore Xi’an’s exciting night markets and sample the delicious local cuisine. The detailed itinerary can be found here.
Please ask your sales representative for more details.
Ascents, descents and distances: All ascents, descents and distances listed in the daily itinerary have been measured by our local partners or tour leaders, in many cases with satellite-based mapping software. However, different GPS measuring devices can give differing results, particularly on winding paths or in mountainous terrain. Measurements stated throughout these Trips Notes are given to help you understand the types of terrain and distances you will encounter. Timings stated will vary depending on the pace of your group.
Accommodation
Hotels & Guesthouses
You will spend three nights in a well located hotel in Beijing and five nights in simple guesthouses whilst on trek. Please be aware that accommodation options are limited on trek and the guesthouses offer simple mountain accommodation. Rooms are twin share and have en suite bathrooms. The bathrooms are equipped with Western toilets and there is hot water (although this can be erratic and somewhat unreliable). It can get cold in the mountains and the guesthouses have no central heating but sleeping bags are not required as blankets are provided. There are usually electric heaters available upon request. There is electricity but there can occasionally be power cuts so a torch will come in handy.
Single supplement from £ 260
Food & Drink
All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners are included. Food is cheap in China and you can avoid the spicier regional food if you wish. The cuisine on this trip is fantastically varied with lots of new flavours and ‘things’ to try.
Gastronomically the trip can be divided into two parts: ‘tourist hotels’ and ‘local hotels’. In tourist hotels the breakfast is normally a buffet, with a huge spread of Chinese and western food, including coffee, juice, breads, cakes, fruit, eggs, bacon and a wide variety of noodle and stir fried dishes. Dinners are normally taken in the hotel or local restaurants, serving rice with assorted vegetables, pork, fish, chicken and duck dishes with flavours roughly approximating those you would find in a Chinese restaurant in the UK. In the local hotels, breakfast includes rice porridge, dumplings, eggs, noodles, etc, however, we tend to augment this with fruit and cakes where available. Dinners are taken in local restaurants where the food is heavily flavoured with ginger, garlic bamboo shoots and chilli. Lunches are taken in local village restaurants and will normally consist of noodle soup or stir fried vegetable noodles. Expect an audience most lunches as the locals crowd around to watch the ‘big noses’ trying to master the use of chopsticks!
Vegetarians can be accommodated, though options are often quite limited. Vegans will find options are very limited. Not all food allergies and intolerances are well understood in China. Options that contain no gluten at all are very limited (soy sauce contains gluten and is very widely used). Peanut oil is also used widely.
Transport
On walking sections our support vehicle will carry bags from hotel to hotel, so you only need to carry a day pack on your walks. This trek has no human or animal porterage since the walking is low altitude and walking paths are always close to roads – we put the luggage in the vehicle. Road travel will be by private minibus. Most roads are excellent, but some of them may have potholes and you should be prepared for a bumpy ride in places. Most of the driving days are not long, usually no more than four hours.
Weather & Seasonality
The north of China has warm (25 deg C), quite humid summers, and cold dry winters. If you travel between June and August, it will be hot more or less everywhere, except in the mountains. Some rain must be expected, possibly heavy. If you travel in September/October, you will probably get less rain and the temperatures will be fairly warm (around 20 deg C) everywhere. The winter months in China are cold, so if travelling in March/April be prepared for temperatures to drop, below (10 deg C), at night, but with almost guaranteed dry sightseeing.
Weather Charts
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Dong Fang Hotel. 11 Wanming Road, Xuan Wu District, Beijing
Phone: +86-10-63014466
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately
Airport: Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) or Beijing Capital airport (PEK).
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately one hour’s drive from the airport. Exodus provides free group arrival transfers on the tour start date to the start hotel for any flight into Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) or Beijing Capital airport (PEK). You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times.
Catching your return flight
This trip ends in Beijing. Exodus provides free departure transfers on the tour end date from the end hotel for any flight leaving from Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) or Beijing Capital airport (PEK). Transfers need to be booked with us at least two weeks before the start of the trip. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Beijing
Location end: Beijing
What To Take
Essential Equipment
Warm jacket
Fleece
Warm hat/gloves for spring (March/April)
Long walking trousers
Lightweight or leather boots that give proper ankle support
Thick socks
Waterproofs
Water bottle
Small rucksack (about 30 litres)
Sunhat and suncream (at least 30+) during the summer
Sunglasses
Torch
Small first aid kit (with diarrhoea treatment, painkillers, rehydration sachets, insect repellent (with DEET), plasters and a blister treatment kit)
A large towel (you will be provided with small towels at each hotel/guesthouse)
Water included
Plastic bottles are a big issue in many countries where recycling isn’t yet widely available; they often end up in landfill or get burned. Both processes are harmful to the environment and we would like to reduce our impact here. For your trip, we provide an alternative to single-use plastic bottles to reduce the plastic used. This means that safe drinking water will be available throughout; all you need to do is bring a bottle to refill along the way. Please add this to your packing list.
Optional Equipment
Trekking poles may be helpful for the steeper sections, and earplugs if you have trouble sleeping.
If taking the Xi’an extension, note that for the train journey, airport-style security has to be passed through and all luggage travels with you in the compartment. Aerosols are not permitted on trains. There are are also limitations on the quantities of certain other items, including nail polish, hair dye (up to 0.6floz/20ml). Items the could be classified as weapons, such as scissors and pocket knives could be confiscated even from your main suitcase, so are best left at home. The overnight trains are generally very clean, but as standards vary, you may feel more comfortable bringing a sleeping bag liner or similar to sleep in. You may also wish to take earplugs just in case there are louder sleepers in the berth!
Practical Information
Visa
China
Most nationalities require a visa to enter China, including holders of British, US, Canadian and Australian passports. This must be obtained prior to departure. Applicants aged between 14 and 70 are required to make an in-person visit to a Chinese visa application centre where biometric data is collected.
The Chinese authorities require a letter of invitation, which Exodus will provide you with approximately eight weeks before the start of the trip. This details all your accommodation bookings. Along with this, you need to supply a copy of your flight details, which are on your invoice if you have booked directly through Exodus.
For further information on the process for British passport holders, please see here.
Visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
If you’re a UK citizen and would like assistance with obtaining visas, please call Travcour on 020 8543 1846 or visit their website: www.travcour-vls.com
Some governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
- Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/china
- Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/china
- United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china/entry-requirements
- USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/China.html
Essential information: We must have a clear copy of the photo page of your passport. This is required to book certain ground services in China and your booking is not fully confirmed until it has been received. This must be emailed as an electronic scan to customerops@exodus.co.uk at least eight weeks prior to your trip.
Vaccinations and Health
China
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for hepatitis A, polio, tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, tick-borne encephalitis and tuberculosis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic. You will also need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you’re arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission or transiting for more than 12 hours through a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Additionally, if you’re visiting Hong Kong on your trip, please be aware that dengue fever is a known risk. This is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available; therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten: apply insect repellent and wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers.
Ticks are known to be present in this region and can carry lyme disease, tick-borne encephalitis and other diseases. Please take care to protect yourself. You can read more about ticks here.
Local Time
China's time zone: Asia/Shanghai (UTC +08:00)
Electricity
China's electricity: The most common socket type in China is type I (for plugs with three flat pins). In some places you will find sockets will additionally accept type A (two flat pins) or C (two round pins) plugs. Internet: When accessing the internet in China (eg through hotel wifi), certain websites and apps are blocked, including Google (and therefore Gmail), Facebook, WhatsApp and many news sites. Alternative web search engines such as Bing are available. Yahoo (including email) is not supported. Most Chinese people use an all-in-one app called WeChat for messaging, voice and video calls, photo-sharing, language support and more. If you wish to stay connected, you may want to download WeChat before you go (and ask those who you want to stay in touch with to do the same). Please note, the security and privacy levels offered by WeChat may not be as high as that of apps you may use at home. If your phone is eSim compatible, you may want to purchase one that works in China before travelling − 4G and 5G network coverage is excellent throughout most of the country.
Money
China's currency: Chinese yuan (also known as renminbi) (CNY)
ATM Availability
China is well serviced by ATMs which are available in all of the major towns and cities. Most but not all ATMs will take British/ European style cards, but your leader will be able to advise you. Credit cards are accepted in hotels and large establishments such as shopping malls but are not recommended for day to day spending. Many restaurants throughout China use WeChat Pay, an electronic payment made through the application on your mobile phone/device.
Extra Expenses & Spending Money
Allow about 1,000-1,470 yuan (US$138-US$203) spending money per person for optional activities and meals not included (assuming you may do one or two optional activities in total). This does not include tips, shopping, or alcoholic beverages.
Meals in good standard local restaurants typically cost around 80 yuan (US$11) per person for lunch and 120 yuan (US$16.50) per person for dinner. If you drink alcoholic drinks, you will spend more than the suggested spending amount.
Please note: Some hotels in China require a refundable deposit of between 200-400 yuan (US$28-US$55) per room, to be paid upon check in, to cover items from the minibar etc. This can usually be paid in cash or on credit card and will be refunded in full upon departure providing no items have been consumed.
Optional excursions
There are several optional activities, which your leader can arrange for you. The below examples provide an indication of what is available and approximate costs, but prices are subject to change throughout the season and may be dependent on the number of people taking part. They are subject to schedules and availability; your leader will let you know what is available and the actual local costs.
Beijing
- Acrobat Show, including public transport: 290 yuan (approx. £32/US$40)
- Cable car at Great Wall: 100 yuan (approx. £11/US$14) one way; 140 yuan (approx. £15/US$19) return
Tipping
This is entirely at your own discretion however; we suggest that you allow a few pounds for tips for the local guides and staff. In China, with the increase in tourism, tipping has become customary. The local staff will probably expect some gratuity and we suggest you allow for this. The leader may suggest to the group that they donate a sum of CNY235 (approx £25/US$34) per person towards a kitty on arrival. This money is then used for tipping of local guides, hotel porters, drivers etc. It is basically to ensure that the hassle is taken out of various activities for you. If you do not wish to contribute to a central pool for tips you are of course free to do so. At any time during the trip your leader will be happy to show you an account of how the kitty is being distributed.
If you feel that your leader has performed well over the course of your trip, you may want to show your appreciation of their services. The sum you choose to give is entirely personal, but as a guide, £2-3/US$3-5 per person per day would be a reasonable starting point. The ‘tipping kitty’ explained above is entirely separate from any contribution to the tour leader. Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work with Exodus.
Sustainability and Impact
At Exodus, we thrive on travel, and we firmly believe our adventures should help destinations thrive too.
As a certified B Corp, we aim to take a ‘nature positive’ approach across our adventures, including carbon and waste reduction, animal welfare and support for rewilding and conservation. We also seek to contribute to local communities, providing economic opportunity and empowerment.
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Learn more about our Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan, including our commitment to rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller
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Read about the work of the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation.
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Find out how you can travel more sustainably here.
Important Information
Your safe participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
Seatbelts
All vehicles used by Exodus should be equipped with working seatbelts, except where approved by Exodus based on the vehicle type or journey. Wherever seatbelts are available, we require our customers to use them for their own safety, even where it may not be a legal requirement.
How to Book
- Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
- Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
- Complete your booking and payment
When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.
After booking
You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.
Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.
Trip Note validity
These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
Licensing
Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.