China4 days
Great Wall Near Beijing: Hiking Four Sections — 4 Days
From Gubeikou to Jinshanling with one night camping in a watchtower on the Gubeikou section, covering multiple sections of the wall
The Great Wall's most varied terrain lies within two hours of Beijing. This four-day itinerary strings together five sections — Wohushan, Jinshanling, Simatai, and Erchu — each built in different eras and each showing different degrees of restoration. The route includes one night camping inside a watchtower on the unrestored Gubeikou section, where you can enjoy views of the sun rising over the Wall's ancient ramparts and the surrounding hills. Across the hike, you'll pass through farmland where villagers have lived for centuries in the wall's lee, walk the inner defensive rings that protected the main rampart, and reach vantage points where the wall's trajectory across the ridgeline becomes clear. A local English-speaking guide leads throughout.
Highlights
- Hike along the Great Wall with a guide so you don't get lost, and enjoy picturesque views of the Great Wall.
- Camp overnight in a restored watchtower on the unrestored Gubeikou section, with sunrise views across the ramparts
- Walk the inner defense circle at Jinshanling, a secondary wall line built for contingency when the main barrier was breached
- Traverse Simatai and Erchu sections with cumulative ascent of 890 meters across valleys and high passes
- Reach Wang Jing Tower on the final morning, where clear visibility extends views toward Beijing city
Day by day
1Beijing to Wohushan: Hiking the Gubeikou Section at 665 MetersWohushan Great Wall · village guesthouse near the wall · Beijing to Gubeikou trailhead
Your guide and driver meet you after breakfast and drive two to three hours from Beijing to the Gubeikou trailhead. After lunch, you begin hiking on the Wohushan Great Wall. Built during the Ming Dynasty, this section rises to 665 meters and extends 13.6 kilometers across terrain marked by steep climbs and multiple watchtowers. The architecture here represents a high point in Ming engineering — deliberately sited for defensive sight lines and containing facilities for soldiers who were stationed here for months. The day's hike covers three to four hours of walking. You finish at a village guesthouse near the wall.
2Gubeikou to Jinshanling: 12 Kilometers Along the Inner Defense WallGubeikou to Jinshanling · working village · Erdaoliang Jinshanling guesthouse
After breakfast at the guesthouse, you set out with your guide toward Jinshanling. The hike spans 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) over four to five hours of walking, with three to four hours of rest and lunch breaks built into the day. As you walk, your guide explains how this section deteriorated: in the 1950s, local farmers dismantled portions of the wall to salvage bricks for their homes, a pragmatic act that left gaps and rubble you'll still see today. A key feature of this day is the inner circle of the wall — a secondary defensive ring that would have been garrisoned only if the main wall was breached. You pass through a working village set below the wall before arriving at Erdaoliang Jinshanling guesthouse.
3Simatai and Erchu: A Full Day at Steeper SectionsSimatai · Erchu · Erdaoliang Jinshanling guesthouse
From the guesthouse, your guide and driver transfer you to Simatai, where you hike for two to three hours across one of the wall's steepest sections. In the afternoon, you continue on foot from Erchu toward Jinshanling, making this a full day of hiking. Total distance for the day is 6 miles with cumulative ascent of 890 meters. The terrain here is notably more demanding than the previous sections — the wall climbs sharply across ridge spines and descends steeply into valleys. By evening you return to Erdaoliang Jinshanling guesthouse.
4Wang Jing Tower and Return to BeijingWang Jing Tower · Beijing hotel or airport
Your final morning begins at the guesthouse. You hike to Wang Jing Tower (also called Watching Beijing Tower), with moving time and rest time to take in views. From the tower's crest, you can see across surrounding mountains and, on clear days, toward Beijing itself. After completing this hike, your driver returns you to your Beijing hotel or transfers you to the airport for onward travel.
Where you go
- 1Wohushan Great Wall
Included
- Accommodation & breakfast
- Transport service from and to airport & tours
- Speaking English guide
- Entrance fee
- Local guide fee at particular tourism objects
- Meals & mineral water as a program
- Travel Insurance
Not included
- Air ticket
- Personal & other expenses
- Optional program