Walking the Great Wall of China

You will be met on arrival at the airport in Beijing and transferred to your hotel where the rest of the day is spent at leisure

This evening, we join together to enjoy a Welcome Dinner to meet your fellow tour members and your Big Journey Company Tour Director and learn about your adventure ahead.

Before we begin hiking across the world-famous Great Wall of China, we take the opportunity today to see some of the other fascinating sites Beijing has to offer.

After breakfast, we head out to Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven.

Tiananmen Square, the biggest city square in the world, was once a yard in the Forbidden city, the palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties from 1420-1911 AD.

The Temple of Heaven, once a place for the Chinese Emperor’s private worship, is now the biggest city park in Beijing for citizens to enjoy their leisure time in.

We return to the hotel for an evening and dinner at leisure before we head out to the famous wall tomorrow,

We check out after breakfast as we make our way to start our hikes along one of the world's most famous sites - the Great Wall of China.

The Great Wall is a series of defensive fortifications made of stone or brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials. It generally runs east-west across the historical northern borders of China. It protected the Empire against northern raids and invasions and the oldest sections date back to the 7th century BC!

Since then, the Great Wall has been repeatedly repaired, rebuilt, maintained, and enhanced. The majority of the existing wall dates from the time of the Ming Dynasty. An investigation in 2009 concluded the length of the Great Wall constructed in Ming Dynasty was 8,851.8km.

We begin our hike today on the Great Wall of China, walking from Taiping Zhai to Huangyaguan. The excursions and hiking today will take us around 6 hours with elevation gain over 1000m.

After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to Gubeikou and continue our hike on the Great Wall.

The Gubeikou section of the Great Wall, located in Hebei Province North Beijing,was first built in the 6th century during the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-589), and was then rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644AD).

This section of the wall remains original in style - some parts are steep and exposed, and you have to be careful whilst we are hiking this imposing section.

Tonight we have an opportunity to interact with the local people and experience a slice of the real China. We will overnight in a local inn of East River Village, an inn run by a local village family.

Hiking distance: approx. 4 km, 3 hours

This morning, we rise early as before breakfast, we have the opportunity to take part in a traditional Tai chi class, which will inevitably get you fired up for today's adventure!

Today is a full day hike from Gubeikou to Jinshanling. The Wall from Gubeikou to Jinshanling is approximately 10km, nestled on the top of green mountains like a dragon ascending and descending the endless blue sky. At some points the path is narrow and steep to cross over.

Hiking distance: approx. 10 km, 6 hours.

This morning’s hike is from Jinshanling to the Simatai entrance. This section of the Great Wall has been restored, making it an easier hike.

Some beacon towers along the stretch have been rebuilt to enable visitors to climb up and enjoy the mountain views. On the Kylin Beacon Tower, you'll find bricks inscribed by the soldiers of the past, recording their names and corps.

After lunch we will transfer to Huairou to our hotel close to Lake Yanxi for an afternoon at leisreu ready for our long hike tomorrow.

Hiking distance: approx. 5 km, 3 hours.

Our final day on the Great Wall offers a full day hiking as we travel from Jiankou to Mutianyu.

The first section at Jiankou is untouched with the climb steep, running along the top of the mountain top.

The Mutianyu section of the wall has been repaired so that it is easier to negotiate later in the day. We will admire the stunning views wondering how they managed to construct this wall at such a height such a long time ago.

After a final push, late in the afternoon we reach our transfer which will take us back to the hustle and bustle of Beijing.

Today will be the longest and toughest hiking, but the farewell roast Peking Duck dinner to round off our week and time in China will taste all the more delicious after our exertions!

Hiking distance: approx. 10 km, 6 hours.

We enjoy a last breakfast together before heading home to tell everyone about our Adventures on the Great Wall of China.

You will be transferred to the airport to catch your flights home.