Experience authentic China and hike the Great Wall on this 9-day guided tour
This amazing Chinese walking tour follows some of the wildest stretches of the Great Wall of China. You will hike along iconic sections of the wall and have plenty of opportunities to sample local dishes and visit famous monuments.
As well as enjoying the breath-taking landscape walking along the Great Wall, you will visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City as you explore the vibrant city of Beijing.
To ensure your comfort, you will enjoy the services of an English-speaking guide and your group will travel between destinations by private transport.
Highlights Of Hike The Great Wall of China Tour
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Hike The Great Wall of China Itinerary
Day 1 Beijing
Today you will check into your hotel in Beijing. It is possible to arrange a private transfer from the airport to the hotel when you book, or you can make your own way there if you prefer your independence. You will have an early evening meeting with your tour guide and group to break the ice and find out any important information, before heading to a local restaurant to sample some delicious Chinese cuisine.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Beijing
Distance: None
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 Walking the Great Wall of China
Today you will set out to hike the Great Wall of China. This ancient defensive wall has more than 2,300 years of history and covers over 20,000 kilometers, from lush greenery to stunning mountain scenery. You will visit the famous Jiankou, from where you will hike to Mutianyu section with your group and guide, exploring the ancient wall with its historical watch towers and beautiful mountain views. You will spend the night in a local guesthouse.
Overnight Location: Guesthouse in Xishuiyu
Distance: 4 hours, 10 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 Hike to Huanghuacheng
You will spend the morning hiking from Xishuiyu to Huanghuacheng. You can expect stunning views on today’s walk, with a striking contrast between ruined parts of the wall crumbling into the lake and better-preserved sections where you can still climb up to the watchtowers. You will then transfer to the old garrison town of Gubeikou to spend the afternoon walking on the beautiful Panlongshan, also known as ‘Coiling Dragon Mountain’.
Overnight Location: Guesthouse in Gubeikou
Distance: 5.5 hours, 6 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 Wild hiking near Gubeikou
You will continue to enjoy hiking on the wall near Gubeikou. This section is popularly known as the wild Great Wall as it is one of the few sections of the wall that has not been fully restored for tourists. The imperfections created by the passage of time are exactly what makes this section of the wall so famous for its wild beauty.
Overnight Location: Guesthouse in Gubeikou
Distance: 4 hours, 5 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 Eastward to Jinshanling
Today you will hike eastward from Gubeikou to Jinshanling. This section of the wall is built on mountain ridges, giving panoramic views of the Chinese countryside. Passing through Spider Valley, you will notice abandoned wells and houses before reaching one of the best viewpoints of the entire Great Wall of China. There will be steep sections of the hike today, with the potential for short stretches of scrambling.
Overnight Location: Guesthouse in Jinshanling
Distance: 7.5 hours, 13 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 Hiking at Simatai
Today you will hike at the Simatai section of the Great Wall. This breath-taking stretch of the wall follows a ridge so narrow it had to be built with the help of goats, which could carry just one brick at a time to the laborers that were working on it. In the afternoon you will continue the walk from Jinshanling to Erchu before returning to the same guesthouse as the evening before for a hearty meal and good night’s rest.
Overnight Location: Guesthouse in Jinshanling
Distance: 5.5 hours, 8 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 Mountains and Palaces
You will spend the morning hiking along Mt Simatai section, savoring the stunning views and adrenaline packed stretches of narrow wall well above the lush green foliage. You will walk through 3 different watchtowers. In the afternoon you will be driven back to Beijing to visit the Summer Palace and a relaxing free evening. Having finished the walking for the trip, you can sleep soundly and give your aching muscles a well-earned break.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Beijing
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 Explore Beijing
Back in the capital, you will enjoy a day tour of Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and Jingshan Park. You will spend the afternoon exploring Hutong, absorbing yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of the city. After a farewell dinner of Peking Duck, a local specialty, you will settle down in your hotel for your final night of the holiday.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Beijing
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 Farewell
After an incredible week of walking the Great Wall, it is time to say goodbye to your group and tour guide. You will enjoy one final breakfast at the hotel before heading out for your onward journey. It is possible to pre-book a private transfer to the airport for a fee.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Hike the Great Wall of China Tour Price and Dates
This guided hiking tour to the Great Wall Tour is always run as a custom tour for your group only and the price depends on the size of your group.
The prices below are per person sharing a double or a triple room:
- Guided Groups of 4+: from $1,610 USD
Please note that the prices depend on the size of your group, as well as your travelling dates.
Book NowAccommodation on Hike The Great Wall of China Tour
You will stay in a range of different accommodation as you explore the Great Wall of China. This will include a lovely 4-star hotel right in the center of Beijing as well as comfortable, local guesthouses in the more rural areas that you travel to.
In general, you can expect accommodation with 2 to 3-star facilities. Prices are based on double occupancy, but private rooms for single travelers can be arranged for a supplement.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel. Contact us and we can try and match single travelers up, where possible.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Dongfang Hotel in Beijing
This simple, but comfortable hotel offers free wi-fi, aircon and a good location to explore the city.
Guesthouses along the trail
Stay in a cozy and authentic family-run guesthouses along the trail during your trek along the Great Wall of China.
Dongfang Hotel in Beijing
This simple, but comfortable hotel offers free wi-fi, aircon and a good location to explore the city.
What’s included in the Hike The Great Wall of China Tour?
Meals
8 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 8 dinners are included. Fruit and snacks are included on some of the hiking days.
Accommodations
The accommodation for 8 nights along the tour is included.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation to you and your luggage is included during the tour. Please note, that only one group departure airport transfer is included and if you need arrival transfer or private departure transfer, you can order this service during the booking for an extra charge.
Also Included
- English speaking tour guide services
- Entrance fees and organized visits:
-
- The Great Wall of China
- Summer Palace
- Bird’s Nest
- Water Cube
- Drinking water
- First aid kit
Not included
- International flights
- China entry visa
- Personal expenses and tips
- Things not expressly mentioned as included above
Optional Extras
- Airport transfers:
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- Private vehicle (with driver) - $89 USD per vehicle
- 9-seat van (with driver) - $110 USD per vehicle
- Extra night in Beijing before or after the tour - $129 USD per double room including breakfast
Frequently Asked Questions about Hike the Great Wall of China
China Adventure Travel has over 30 years of experience in tour operation. They specialize in adventure travel, including cycling, hiking, and tailor-made adventure tours. Their philosophy is to develop a trip in China that you won’t ever forget.
Besides adventure tours, China Adventure Travel also offers cultural tours and cultural exchange programs. They consider excellent leadership to be the soul of a trip, so their guides are chosen carefully for their expertise.
They pay great attention to every detail of your trip, and recognize that great service is a culmination of many smaller efforts.
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Charles has been working with China Adventure Travel since graduating from university. He’s patient, personable, and willing to take on any challenge. Guests love his warm smiles and pleasant personality. He’s also an exceptional violinist!
- Q: What’s the best part about leading tours in China?
- A: China is such a big, developing country. Guiding in China allows you to witness the development of our motherland. We bring different tourists to the same place but we can always find something new to share. It’s such an amazing thing.
- Q: What are guests most surprised about when visiting China?
- A: China has well-developed cities like Beijing and Shanghai, but also quite under-developed areas and remote villages far from the cities. It’s all about contrast.
- Q: What is one local dish or drink that anyone visiting China should try?
- A: Too many! China is a country famous for its food. Try Beijing duck, dumplings of all kinds, hot pot, spicy food in Sichuan, noodles in Xian, Cantonese dim sum, and more. We’ve got a long list.