Great Wall Hiking: Small Group

When it comes to visiting Beijing, hiking the Great Wall is one of the must-do activities. If you’re looking for an adventurous, yet small-group experience, then the Simatai West and Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking Tour is the perfect fit for you. With a maximum of just eight travelers, you’ll have a personalized experience as you explore two different sections of the Great Wall, including the wild, original, and preserved Simatai West and the restored Jinshanling. In this blog post, we’ll guide you on how to plan your tour step-by-step.

Step 1: Booking

The first step is to book your tour through the official travel partner, GetYourGuide. Booking online is easy and secure. Simply click on the following link: book the tour here. The tour costs $89 per person and includes transportation, lunch, and an English-speaking guide.

Step 2: Meeting Point

Your tour guide will meet you at 8:00 am at your hotel in the city. From there, you’ll board a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle that will take you to the Great Wall. The total journey takes around two hours.

Step 3: Hiking the Great Wall

As soon as you reach the Great Wall, you’ll embark on a challenging, yet enjoyable hike. You’ll spend about 3 hours hiking, mostly on uneven terrain. The tour guide will make several stops along the way for photos and rest. You should wear comfortable clothing and sturdy footwear.

Step 4: Exploring Simatai West

The Simatai section of the Great Wall is situated in the north of Beijing and features steep gradients, over 15 watchtowers, and wide-open views. This section of the Great Wall is more remote, untouched and it offers a more rugged hiking experience. The watchtowers themselves are varied and unique, with different styles like flat roofs, rounded roofs, pitched roofs, upturned eaves, and more.

Step 5: Visiting Jinshanling

After the Simatai hike and the lunch break at a local farmer’s restaurant, you’ll continue on to the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall. Jinshanling is a restored section of the Great Wall and is a contrast to Simatai’s wildness. While at Jinshanling, you can walk on the newly restored section or for a more authentic experience, choose the original section that has not been restored for over 100 years since it was built.

Step 6: Lunch at a Local Farmer’s Restaurant

After exploring the Simatai West section of the Great Wall, you’ll stop for a traditional lunch at a local farmer’s restaurant. The restaurant is located in a rural Chinese village and offers fresh, authentic Chinese cuisine.

Step 7: Return to the City

After lunch, you’ll make the two-hour journey back to the city. You will be dropped off either at your hotel, or another location of your choosing.

Conclusion

This hiking tour is a fantastic way to experience the beauty of the Great Wall in a small group of like-minded travelers. By following these steps, you’ll be able to plan a successful trip that you’ll remember for years to come. Don’t forget to dress appropriately, book online, and be ready for an adventure.

Insider’s Guide to Great Wall Hiking in Beijing

Beijing, the capital city of China, is world-renowned for its fascinating history, incredible sights, and rich culture. It is home to iconic landmarks such as the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Temple of Heaven. However, it is the Great Wall of China that draws travelers from all over the world to visit this city. In this insider’s guide, we will explore everything you need to know about Great Wall hiking in Beijing.

Attractions and Sights

The Great Wall of China is the world’s longest wall stretching over 13,000 miles. In Beijing, the must-see section of the wall is Mutianyu Great Wall. It is a scenic, less-crowded section that offers stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. A cable car or chairlift ride to the top of the wall is an experience to remember. You can choose to hike along the restored section of the wall from Mutianyu to Jiankou, where you can enjoy the wild and uninhabited section of the Great Wall.

Besides hiking, there are many other attractions to explore in Beijing. The Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a magnificent palace complex with over 9,000 rooms, and it was once home to the Chinese emperors. Another prominent landmark is the Temple of Heaven, a grand imperial temple where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties would come to pray for good harvests and perform rituals.

Dining Spots

Dining in Beijing is an experience in itself. The city has a rich culinary tradition that has remained unaffected by modern influences. Must-try dishes include Peking Roast Duck, dumplings (jiaozi), and Beijing Noodles (Zhajiangmian). For delicious Beijing cuisine, head to Da Dong Roast Duck, Quanjude Roast Duck, or Li Qun Roast Duck.

Besides Beijing cuisine, the city is home to many different regional cuisines from across China. You can visit Wangfujing Snack Street, Donghuamen Night Market, or Guijie Street for street food experiences.

Cultural Experiences

Beijing is rich in cultural experiences, from traditional tea ceremonies to seeing a Chinese opera. The capital’s cultural scene is not just restricted by beautiful traditional architecture, but it is also a hub for modern art. The 798 Art District is a lively and thriving space where contemporary artists exhibit their works. You can visit the National Centre for the Performing Arts, the National Museum of China, or the Capital Museum for an enlightening experience of Chinese culture and history.

Local History

Beijing has been the capital of China for more than 800 years, and its history is fascinating to learn about. You can visit the Summer Palace, the Old Summer Palace, or the Eastern Qing Tombs to take a trip back in time. Exploring these sites will give you a sense of the country’s rich history and architecture.

Off the Beaten Path Suggestions

For tourists seeking unique experiences, there are plenty of secret and unexplored locations around Beijing. A hike through the Yu County’s Hanging Temple, perched on the cliffs of Heng Shan mountain range, can be an unforgettable experience. You can also visit the World Heritage-listed Huangshan Mountain, a UNESCO site famous for its imposing scenery of granite peaks, twisted pines, and breathtaking sunrises and sunsets.

Another off-the-beaten-path suggestion could be to take a hot spring bath at the rural Beijing village of Taoyuan. This traditional village sits amid small, hot springs that bubble to the surface and is a great way to relax after a long day of hiking.

In conclusion, Beijing offers an extensive and diverse range of tourist options. Hiking the Great Wall of China is one of the highlights, but the city holds many other landmarks, cultural treasures, and hidden gems waiting to be explored by tourists.