Trekking The Great Wall of China

Time to descend the massive Great Wall | Victoria Earl

Chinese food

The iconic Forbidden City, Beijing | Peter Walton

Local kids in Western China | Peter Walton

Updated

Great Wall Hike

A unique insight into the Great Wall, one the world's most famous landmarks

China



9 reviews

8 Days from

$1760 USD

Trip Code: GWE

View dates to Book

Essential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Great Wall Trek Single Supplement

$250 USD

Duration

8 Days

Activities

5 day hike

Style

Classic Adventures

Accommodation

3 nights hotel
4 nights guesthouses

Meals

7 Dinners
6 Lunches
7 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading

4 / 10

Introductory to Moderate

Carbon Footprint

51kg of CO₂-e PP per day

(356kg of CO₂-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

Hike quieter and lesser-visited sections of the Great Wall beyond the main tourist routes
Experience both restored and unrestored sections with panoramic ridgeline walking and dramatic mountain scenery
Stay in locally run guesthouses and experience regional cuisine, village hospitality and traditional dumpling making with local families
Travel with experienced local guides, vehicle support and carefully designed logistics throughout
Discover the history of Imperial China with visits to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City in vibrant Beijing
Enjoy a traditional Peking Duck farewell dinner with your fellow travelling companions and guide

Overview

Hike along remote sections of the Great Wall in Hebei Province, where quieter, less-visited stretches reveal a more authentic side of this iconic landmark. Walking between rural villages, the route follows a combination of restored and unrestored sections, crossing farmland, ridgelines and open valleys with expansive views across the surrounding countryside. Accommodation is in locally run guesthouses, offering simple comfort with twin-share rooms and hot showers. Staying within village communities provides a closer connection to daily life in rural China and adds depth to the overall experience. The journey begins and ends in Beijing, where visits to major historic sites such as the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square provide cultural context, alongside opportunities to experience the city’s renowned food scene.

Itinerary

Expand all | Collapse all

On arrival in Beijing you will need to make your own way to the group hotel. The afternoon is free time for sightseeing in the central city district. Perhaps barter for a bargain in the colorful silk markets or do as the locals do and hire a bike for a spin through the bustling back roads of this vibrant city. This evening we will meet in the hotel lobby at approximately 18:30 (please check with reception to confirm this time) for a group meeting before we head out to enjoy our first meal together. Accommodation: Dong Fang Hotel or similar

Meals: D

Travel from Beijing to the foothill of the Great Wall at Jiankou near the border of Hebei Province to begin our hike. Jiankou Great Wall, located 73 km north of Beijing in Huairou District, is a picturesque section built in 1368 (Ming Dynasty) atop steep, rugged cliffs. Translating to "arrow nock," the name derives from the ridge’s W-shape, resembling a, bow-and-arrow notch. The Great Wall extends more than 5000km across China, from the Bohai Gulf to Gansu Province. After lunch, we transfer to Gubeikou. Accommodation: Yeshufang Guest House or similar

Meals: B,L,D

After breakfast, climb to a spectacular section of the Inner Great Wall above the Gubeikou Valley. This section formed a second line of defence behind the main wall and remains unrestored, with some areas overgrown by vegetation. The route offers wide views across the rugged surrounding landscape before reaching the junction of the Ming Dynasty wall. Descend by a small trail back to the village visting a nuber of small temples on the way. Accommodation: Yeshufang Guest House or similar

Meals: B,L,D

Return to the main outer Great Wall and walk remote, unrestored sections through mountain scenery. This quieter route stays well away from the main visitor areas. A short detour through a village is required near a military restricted zone, offering insight into rural village life. The route later returns to the Wall as it approaches Jinshanling, a carefully restored section that reflects the Wall’s original design. Accommodation: Jianxia Guesthouse or similar

Meals: B,L,D

Today is a more relaxed day on the Great Wall. The morning begins with an introduction to Tai Chi, offering insight into this traditional Chinese practice before continuing the walk from Jinshanling toward Erchu. This section of the Wall is known for its rugged and less-visited character, often described as a highlight for hikers and photographers. The route includes a mix of steep, unrestored and partially restored sections, with expansive views across the surrounding landscape. Along the way, pass a dense concentration of watchtowers, over 67 structures built between 1368 and 1644, eflecting the strategic importance of this section. In the afternoon, we spend time with the Zou family, learning how to make traditional dumplings before sharing them for dinner, providing insight into daily life in rural China. Accommodation: Jianxia Guesthouse or similar

Meals: B,L,D

An early start leads to a hike toward Wang Jing Tower, also known as Beijing Tower, located at the summit of the Simatai section of the Great Wall. The ascent is challenging, following a rugged and steep section of the Wall, but is rewarded with expansive views across the surrounding landscape. On clear days, it is said that Beijing can be seen in the distance. Historically, this section played an important defensive role. Beacon towers were used to send signals using smoke, often referred to as “wolf smoke”, to warn of approaching Mongol forces, with messages able to be relayed across vast distances in a short time. After the hike, return by road to Beijing. Accommodation: Dong Fang Hotel or similar

Meals: B,L,D

Today is spent exploring Beijing’s major historic sites, beginning with Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City served as the imperial palace for the Ming and Qing dynasties and was closed to the public for more than 500 years. Later, visit the Bell Tower and Hou Hai district in northern Beijing for a traditional lunch in a courtyard setting. In the evening we enjoy a farewell dinner featuring traditional Peking Duck. Please note: Should the Forbidden City be closed for an official visit (which happens often and suddenly) your tour leader will adjust your daily itinerary accordingly to try to ensure a visitation without losing any listed activities. Accommodation: Dong Fang Hotel or similar

Meals: B,L,D

After breakfast our trip concludes in Beijing.

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Ready to start your adventure?

View dates to Book

What's included?

Included

7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners
Twin-share hotels and guesthouses
Private air conditioned vehicles
Support vehicle during hikking
Entry fees and sightseeing as per itinerary
Expert bilingual guide and mountain guide
Medical kit

Not included

International airfares and departure taxes
Visa costs
Travel Insurance (compulsory)
Emergency transport costs
Meals and drinks not listed
Personal expenses
Tips and gratuities
Any items not listed as included