China

Hiking on the Great Wall - Optional extension to Xi’an

Price

1,495 USD

Duration

7 Days

Level

moderate

Date

October 20, 2023

Book Now

Overview Itinerary Details What’s Included Get Inspired

7 days

1,495 USD / 455 KWD / 5,515 AED / 5,675 SAR

Book Now

Overview

The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications erected along the northern borders of China to protect the fertile lands of the Empire against the nomadic invaders from the North. Some parts of the Wall date to the 7th c. BC, but the most well-known sections were built in the 14th-17th c during the reign of the Ming dynasty. Today, the Great Wall is a UNESCO World Heritage site and attracts millions of visitors each year who come to appreciate this engineering feat while learning more about its historical significance.

Hiking on the Great Wall is considered the best way to experience the history and value of this architectural masterpiece that has come to symbolize the resilience and ingenuity of the Chinese people. As you spend several days on the Wall, you will also have the chance to get a feel of the countryside in the broader Beijing area and the local life as it unfolds in the guesthouses and the village streets. Finally, your trip will be completed with a visit to some of the most famous sites in the Chinese capital city.

Trip Highlights:
Get ready to...

Hike on the Great Wall of China: a UNESCO World Heritage site and an architectural masterpiece.
Experience the history of the Great Wall of China, appreciating its significance in Chinese culture.
Visit the Huanghuacheng section of the Great Wall: the only lakeside section in the broader Beijing region.
Enjoy views of magnificent mountains, impressive watchtowers, quaint villages, and lush landscapes.
Experience both original and restored sections of the Wall.
Visit Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and a Hutong neighborhood in Old Beijing.

Optional extension to Xi’an: the cradle of the Chinese civilization
Xi'an’s rich history extends for over 3,000 years. The city was the capital of 13 dynasties and is regarded as the cradle of Chinese civilization. It was also the eastern terminus of the Silk Road: a major trade route that connected China with the Mediterranean. Today, visitors can explore many historical ruins, museums, and cultural relics, among which the famous Terracotta Warrior: a group of life-size clay sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China.

Share this trip:

Activities: cultural interactions, cultural sightseeing, hiking/trekking

Itinerary Details

Day 1 (20th October 2023): Arrival in Beijing

Note: Only one group airport transfer is included in the price. Additional transfers can be arranged at an extra cost.

Upon arrival at the international airport of Beijing, you will be welcomed by a Rahhalah representative who will take you to your hotel, where you can relax or explore the neighborhood at your own pace.

At 6pm, the group will assemble at the lobby for a briefing session with your guide and an orientation walk around the hotel.

Accommodation: Park Plaza Wangfujing 4* or similar.

Day 2 (21st October 2023): The hike begins: from Jiankou to Mutianyu – Transfer to Xishuiyu (B, L)

After breakfast, you will head to Jiankou (a 2-hour driving distance), from where you will begin your hike on the Great Wall of China. The section of the Wall in Jiankou is steep, constructed on the edge of the mountain top, offering stunning views and an initial understanding of the construction’s difficulties in such uneven terrain. After around a 2-km hike, you will reach the Mutianyu section, which is repaired and much easier to climb. This part is considered the most beautiful one near Beijing. At the end of the hike, you will be picked up by the car to drive to Xishuiyu (a 50-min drive), where you will spend the night in a local guesthouse.

Hiking distance: 8 km.
Hiking time: 5-6 hours.
Driving time: 2 hours + 50 minutes.

Accommodation: Guesthouse Shihucheng Resort or similar.

Day 3 (22nd October 2023): Hiking from Xishuiyu to Huanghuacheng – Transfer to Gubeikou (B, L)

Today, you will enjoy a 6-hour hike of moderate difficulty, starting from Xishuiyu and ending at the Huanghuacheng section of the Great Wall. The beginning of the trail offers spectacular views of the Wall and the surrounding mountains. Huanghuacheng is the only lakeside part of the Great Wall in Beijing, and, as such, one of the top destinations on the Wall for all visitors.

At the end of your hiking day, you will ride the car again, heading to Gubeikou, where you will spend the night in a local guesthouse.

Hiking distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 6 hours.
Driving time: 2 hours.

Accommodation: Yeshufang Guesthouse or similar.

Day 4 (23rd October 2023): Hiking around the Gubeikou section of the Great Wall (B)

This part of the Great Wall is somewhat dilapidated but maintains its original beauty and historical importance since many battles were fought there throughout the Chinese history due to the region’s strategic location. The crawling wall along the mountain range and the still-standing watch-towers still remind of this section’s past glory.

In the morning, you will hike for about 3.5 hours, before a lunch break at a local restaurant (which you will reach by car). In the afternoon, you will be transferred to another part of the Wall in Gubeikou to continue your hike for about 3.5-4 hours.

Hiking distance: 9 km.
Hiking time: 7-7.5 hours.

Accommodation: Yeshufang Guesthouse or similar.

Day 5 (24th October 2023): Hiking to Jinshanling (B, L)

Today, you will hike eastwards, from Gubeikou to Jinshanling. On the way, you will enjoy landscapes full of lush vegetation and will learn how this part of the Wall has crumbled because in the 1950s local farmers took bricks and stones to build their houses. You will also pass by a local village and will walk around the inner circle of Wall: the second defense in case of an external breach. At the end of the day, you will reach Jinshanling, where you will spend the night in a local guesthouse.

Overnight in local Guesthouse.

Hiking distance: 12km
Hiking time: 7-8 hours

Accommodation: Jianxia Guesthouse or similar.

Day 6 (25th October 2023): Hiking to Simatai West – Transfer to Beijing (B, L)

In the morning, you will hike from Jinshanling to Simatai West, enjoying on the way both original and restored sections of the wall, plus scenic views of impressive watchtowers. Some of these 2- or 3-story towers have flat roofs, others rounded, and others are pitched with upturned eaves. Most of today’s trail is paved, though there are a few unrestored stretches with stairs and steep gradients.

Once at Simatai West, your hiking adventure on the Great Wall of China will be over, and you will be transferred with a car back to Beijing.

Hiking distance: 7 km
Hiking time: 5-6 hours.
Driving time: 3 hours

Accommodation: Park Plaza Wangfujing 4* or similar.

Day 7 (26th October 2023): Exploring Beijing – Departure (B, D)

After breakfast, you will embark on a full-day walking tour around Beijing. You will begin with a metro ride to Tiananmen Square: one of the most famous squares in the world, and certainly the largest. You will then continue to the Forbidden City, which dates to the 15th century and was the political and ceremonial center of China's ruling families.

Next stop: a Hutong neighborhood, where you will stroll through the quaint alleys, checking the traditional courtyards that comprise the local lifestyle of Old Beijing.
You will end the day with a Farewell dinner on roast Peking duck, which is so unique and tasty that it has been on the royal menu since the 1300s.

After dinner, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home. Alternatively, you may choose to extend your stay to explore X’ian.

Note: Only one group airport transfer is included in the price. Additional transfers can be arranged at an extra cost. Recommended flight time to be after 10pm onwards.

Optional extension to Xi’an: the cradle of the Chinese civilization (3 days)

Day 7 (26th October 2023): Night at a hotel in Beijing

Travelers who wish to extend their trip to Xi’an will spend the night at a hotel in Beijing.

Accommodation: Park Plaza Wangfujing 4* or similar.

Day 8 (27th October 2023): Transfer from Beijing to Xi’an by train – Walking tour in Xi’an – Shadow Puppet show experience (B)

In the morning, you will be transferred to the train station to take the bullet train to Xian, G55 (departing at 09:55 am, arriving at 14:06).

Upon your arrival at Xi’an, you will be welcomed by your local guide who will transfer you to the hotel for a brief refreshment before you embark on a walking tour, including the Grand Mosque and the Muslim quarter. The tour will end in one of the best-preserved old residences of the city for a Shadow Puppets Play experience. There, you will have the opportunity to step backstage, interact with the staffs, and even try your hand on your own show if you will.

Accommodation: Grand Soluxe International Hotel 4*or similar.

Day 9 (28th October 2023): The Terracotta Warriors of Xi’an – The Big Wild Goose Pagoda (B, L)

After breakfast, you will visit the famous Terracotta Warriors. This incredible archaeological treasure was discovered in 1976, after having remained buried for 2,000 years, by farmers digging a well. Three main pits are open to visitors, where you can admire around 2,000 of the total 6,000 warriors standing in battle formation, each individually sculpted from clay, having different costumes, heights, or even facial expressions.

Later, you will take the bus to visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which, in the past, hosted old Buddhist relics and classics brought from India by the hierarch Xuanzang. If lucky, you may also watch a fantastic musical fountain show at the north square of the temple.

Accommodation: Grand Soluxe International Hotel 4*or similar.

Day 10 (29th October 2023): Exploring the ancient city walls – Bullet train to Beijing – Departure (B)

In the morning, you will head to the ancient City Wall: the most significant and best-preserved city wall in China stretching over 13 kilometers around Xi’an. You will then head to the train station to catch the bullet train back to Beijing. From there, you can head to the airport for your departure flight back home.

Note: No transfer is included to the Beijng International airport.

Notes

This cost is based on Double Occupancy. Single Supplement amounts 540 USD per person.
The cost is based on a group of min 4 people. Rahhalah reserves the right to change the price if the trip runs with fewer participants.
All services stipulated above are subject to availability at the time of booking/reservation. All prices are subject to change.
All accommodation is subject to change to a similar one depending on availability.

Optional extension to Xi’an

Cost: 930 USD / 75 KWD / 3,430 AED / 3,530 SAR per person (Double Occupancy).
This cost is based on Double Occupancy. Single Supplement amounts 395 USD per person.
This cost is based on a standard seat train ticket. Extra cost for a 1st class ticket amounts to 108 USD for the round trip (Beijing – Xi’an – Beijing).
The cost is based on a group of min 2 people. Rahhalah reserves the right to change the price if the trip runs with fewer participants.
All services stipulated above are subject to availability at the time of booking/reservation. All prices are subject to change.
All accommodation is subject to change to a similar one depending on availability.

The Price Includes:

One group transfer from the airport upon arrival (Day 1) and to the airport upon departure (Day 7).
Transportation as per the itinerary in a private vehicle.
2 nights’ accommodation in a 4-star hotel in Beijing (on a twin/sharing basis).
4 nights’ accommodation in local guest houses based (on a twin/sharing basis).
Meals, as indicated in the itinerary (B, L, D).
Entrance fees to the Great Wall and city sights.
Drinking water.
Fruits and snacks on some hiking days.
Local, English-speaking guide with excellent experience.
First aid kit.

Optional extension to Xi’an

Private group transfers from the train station to the hotel and, on the last day, to the train station.
Private transportation as described in the itinerary, plus taxi costs wherever needed (based on the itinerary).
Regular class seat ticket on bullet train: Beijing - Xian – Beijing.
3 nights’ accommodations in a 4* hotel (twin/sharing basis).
Meals as described in the itinerary (B, L, D).
Entrance fees in all the sites included in the itinerary.
Shadow Puppet show cost.
Local, English-speaking guides.

The Price Excludes:

International flights.
Visa fees.
Travel Insurance.
Single Supplement.
Meals not included in the itinerary.
Beverages.
Tips and gratuities.
Personal expenses.
PCR test and quarantine expenses, if needed.

Optional extension to Xi’an

International flights.
Visa fees.
Travel Insurance.
Single Supplement.
Meals not included in the itinerary.
Beverages.
Tips and gratuities.
Personal expenses.
PCR test and quarantine expenses, if needed.

Important: The itinerary and schedule are subject to change due to weather, road challenges or operating conditions. At any moment, the guide has the RIGHT to change the program for the safety and convenience of the travelers.

Also, the trip's price does not cover expenses that may occur due to conditions beyond Rahhalah's control (force majeure). Such cases include but are not limited to extreme weather conditions, flight cancellations or delays, and natural phenomena (earthquakes, volcano eruptions, hurricanes, etc.). We, the Rahhalah team, both in our HQ and on the ground, will do our best to assist you with alternative arrangements (like new accommodation and/or transportation arrangements, revised itinerary and activities etc.), but ALL NEW COSTS incurred because of force majeure are to be covered by the traveler.

We strongly recommend that, before your departure, you purchase travel insurance that covers trip cancellation costs, loss of baggage or personal items, medical emergencies, and other unexpected circumstances that cannot be controlled by Rahhalah or any traveler.

China

Hiking on the Great Wall - Optional extension to Xi’an

Price

1,495 USD

Duration

7 Days

Level

moderate

Date

October 20, 2023

7 days

1,495 USD / 455 KWD / 5,515 AED / 5,675 SAR

Overview

Itinerary Details

Optional extension to Xi’an: the cradle of the Chinese civilization (3 days)

Notes

The Price Includes:

The Price Excludes:

Inspiration from our travels

Navigate

Explore