China12 days
China: The Great Wall Running Route — 12 Days
Beijing to Xi'an via the Great Wall and Mount Huashan; running, hiking, and heritage sites across 12 days
This itinerary traces a north-south spine through China's most significant architectural and spiritual landmarks, from the Bohai Sea reaches of Shanhaiguan to the Terracotta Warriors near Xi'an. The route moves by private transport through four distinct sections of the Great Wall—each with its own character and condition—interspersed with runs through temples, town parks, and mountain slopes. The underlying structure is movement: early morning runs in each settlement, day hikes on restored and wild wall sections, cable car descents and regional train travel. Participants experience the Great Wall as a series of different walls, different terrains, and different states of preservation, culminating in two days exploring Mount Huashan, one of China's four sacred mountains, before concluding in Xi'an with access to both the Terracotta Warriors and the city wall.
Highlights
- Morning run at Temple of Heaven and observation of tai chi, martial arts, and bird-singing groups
- Run atop the Great Wall at Shanhaiguan, where the fortification reaches the Bohai Sea
- 8–10 km morning run to Dragon's Head at Jiaoshan, followed by wall hiking
- Boat excursion on Panjiakou reservoir and hikes across two separate wild wall sections
- Wild wall trek at Luowenyu with descent to village of Ganjiayu; visit to Eastern Qing Tomb royal necropolis
- Full-day exploration of Mount Huashan, including ridge hike and cable car descent
- Terracotta Warriors viewing near Xi'an
- Run on Xi'an City Wall and exploration of the Muslim Quarter
Day by day
1Arrival in Beijinga central 4-star hotel · the hotel lobby · a local restaurant
Private transfer to a central 4-star hotel. Group convenes at the hotel lobby at 6 p.m. for orientation and group dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Beijing.
2Beijing: Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, and Jingshan ParkBeijing · Temple of Heaven · Forbidden City · Jingshan Park · Tiananmen Square
Early morning run at the Temple of Heaven, where locals practice tai chi, martial arts, bird singing, and folk dance. Return to hotel for breakfast. Full day tour covers Tiananmen Square, followed by the Forbidden City and Jingshan Park. Afternoon visit to Jingshan Park, which overlooks the Forbidden City from the north. Beijing Duck dinner. Overnight in Beijing.
3Drive to Great Wall Shanhaiguan — The Wall Meets the SeaBeijing to Shanhaiguan · Shanhaiguan City Gate · restored wall section · Shanhai Holiday Hotel
Private transfer 300 km east from Beijing to Shanhaiguan, the point where the Great Wall reaches the Bohai Sea. Visit the First Pass Under Heaven—Shanhaiguan City Gate—and run atop the restored wall section. Overnight at Shanhai Holiday Hotel (4-star).
4Dragon's Head Run and Jiaoshan Great Wall HikeDragon's Head · Jiaoshan Great Wall · Panjiakou · Qianxi Hotel
Early morning run through town to Dragon's Head, a waterside promontory marking the wall's terminus. Distance: 8–10 km. Hike the nearby Jiaoshan Great Wall section. Afternoon transfer 180 km south to Panjiakou. Overnight at Qianxi Hotel (4-star).
5Panjiakou Reservoir and Wild Wall SectionsPanjiakou · town · Panjiakou and Xifengkou · Zunhua International Hotel
Morning run in town. Private transfer to Panjiakou for a boat excursion on the reservoir. Hike two separate wild (unrestored) Great Wall sections: Panjiakou and Xifengkou. Afternoon drive to Zunhua. Overnight at Zunhua International Hotel (3-star central).
6Luowenyu Wild Wall, Ganjiayu Village, and Eastern Qing TombLuowenyu · Ganjiayu · Eastern Qing Tomb · People's Park · Jinshanling · Jinshanling Hotel
Morning run in the town People's Park. After breakfast, transfer 13 km to hike the wild Great Wall at Luowenyu, then descend to the village of Ganjiayu for lunch. Afternoon transfer to the Eastern Qing Tomb. Late afternoon drive 153 km to Jinshanling. Overnight at Jinshanling Hotel.
7Jinshanling Great Wall to BeijingBeijing · Great Wall between Jinshanling and Erchu Park Lot · Back and Front Lakes · Dongfang Hotel
Early morning hike on the Great Wall between Jinshanling and Erchu Park Lot, a partially restored section. Lunch, then return drive to Beijing. Late afternoon run around Back and Front Lakes in the city center. Overnight at Dongfang Hotel (4-star, established character).
8Fast Train to Mount HuashanBeijing railway station · Huashan Inn · countryside
Transfer to Beijing railway station to board a high-speed train to the Xi'an region. Private transfer to Huashan Inn (4-star central). Evening 6 km countryside run. Overnight at Huashan Inn.
9Mount Huashan — Sacred Mountain Hiking and DescentMount Huashan · Huashan Inn
Full day on Mount Huashan, one of China's four most sacred mountains. Ridge hike at altitude, then cable car descent. Overnight at Huashan Inn.
10Terracotta Warriors and Xi'an Muslim QuarterTerracotta Warriors site · walled Muslim Quarter · Ramada Hotel
Transfer to the Terracotta Warriors site. Return to Xi'an for afternoon exploration of the walled Muslim Quarter. Overnight at Ramada Hotel (4-star central).
11Xi'an City Wall Run and Free TimeXi'an City Wall
Morning run on the Xi'an City Wall. Rest of day free for independent exploration, shopping, or rest before departure. Overnight in Xi'an.
12Xi'an DepartureXi'an airport
A private transfer takes you to Xi'an airport for your onward flight home. Your Adventure Asia tour concludes.
Where you go
- 1Beijing
- 2Temple of Heaven
- 3Forbidden City
- 4Tiananmen Square
- 5Beijing
- 6Terracotta Warriors site
- 7Xi'an City Wall
Included
- Accommodation: Hotels, Guesthouses, Dleeper train
- Transport: Private Bus
- Meals: 11 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches and 11 Dinners
- Guide: Local guide
- Included activities: Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Jingshan Park, Forbidden City, Eastern Qing Tomb, Great Wall Shanhaiguan, Panjiakou, Jinshanling, Mount Huashan, Terracotta Warriors, Muslim Quarter, Old City Wall