Beijing & Great Wall: Cycle, Trek, and Peaks — 6 Days

Mixing central Beijing by bike, remote Great Wall hiking, and long-distance cycling through northern roads

This six-day itinerary alternates between three distinct physical modes: cycling through Beijing's central districts, walking unrestored sections of the Great Wall across the Yanshan range, and extended-distance cycling on rural roads north of the capital. Days one through three move from urban to remote—beginning with a bike tour of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, then shifting to two days on foot along the jagged ridgeline between Gubeikou and Simatai. Days four and five return to cycling: a 73-kilometer ride from Changshaoying to Huairou, followed by a 110-kilometer traverse from Liulimiao to Yangqing. The progression tests different muscle groups and paces across varied terrain, suitable for travelers comfortable with sustained physical effort but not requiring mountaineering experience.

Highlights

Cycling tour of central Beijing: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Houhai Lake, Drum Tower
Walking the unrestored Great Wall from Gubeikou to Jinshanling across the Yanshan range
Trekking the jagged ridge of Simatai, the most rugged section on this route
73-kilometer cycling leg from Changshaoying to Huairou on secondary roads
110-kilometer cycling day from Liulimiao to Yangqing through quiet mountain valleys
Beijing Duck dinner with the group on the first evening

Day by day

1Beijing Arrival & Cycling Orientationyour hotel · Tiananmen Square · the Forbidden City · Houhai Lake · the old Drum Tower · group dinner venue

Arrive in the morning and check into your hotel. After a midday group meeting, cycle through central Beijing's main sites: Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, Houhai Lake, and the old Drum Tower. Return for a group Beijing Duck dinner.

2Great Wall Trek: Gubeikou to JinshanlingYanshan mountains · Great Wall from Gubeikou toward Jinshanling

Drive to the Yanshan mountains and walk the Great Wall from Gubeikou toward Jinshanling, crossing unrestored stone sections and ridgeline terrain.

3Jinshanling to Simatai: The Great Wall's Jagged PeaksJinshanling to Simatai

Continue on foot along the Great Wall from Jinshanling to Simatai's dramatic, jagged peaks.

4Changshaoying to Huairou: 73-Kilometer Cycling DayChangshaoying to Huairou

Cycle 73 kilometers northeast on secondary roads through agricultural land and foothills toward Huairou, a county town north of Beijing, with regrouping stops along the way.

5Liulimiao to Yangqing: 110km Mountain Road CycleLiulimiao to Yangqing · Yangqing

Cycle 110 kilometers through quiet valleys to Yangqing, then return to Beijing in the evening.

6Departure

Free departure at your own pace.

Where you go

Map: Beijing & Great Wall: Cycle, Trek, and Peaks — 6 Days route — Numbers follow the itinerary order. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap

1Tiananmen Square

Activities: Cycling , Hiking, Trekking