China3 days
Great Wall Trek: Gubeikou to Simatai — 3 Days
Hike restored and original sections across three UNESCO-listed regions north of Beijing, with stays in local guesthouses.
This three-day hiking route traverses the Great Wall across three distinct sections built and maintained during the Ming Dynasty. Starting at Gubeikou—a strategic mountain pass dating to the 16th century—the route moves through Wohushan, Jinshanling, and Simatai West, covering between 6 and 16 kilometers each day at a moderate pace. Unlike the crowded restored sections closer to Beijing, these stretches include passages where the original brick structure remains partially intact, alongside restored towers and defensive walls. Daily hiking is supported by an English-speaking guide, a backup vehicle, and accommodation in local farmhouse guesthouses near each day's endpoint. Meals and transfers from Beijing airport are included.
Highlights
- Wohushan Great Wall section — Ming Dynasty construction with watchtower network and 13.6-kilometer span
- Jinshanling restored section — walk the inner defensive wall and observe where 1950s brick removal by local farmers altered the structure
- Simatai West original and restored sections — two-story and three-story watchtowers with flat, rounded, and pitched roofs along steep mountain terrain
- Daily hikes of 6 to 16 kilometers with rest periods for viewpoints and meals
- Meet local farmers and stay in family-run guesthouses near Gubeikou and Jinshanling
- Scenic watchtower vistas snaking along ridgelines with varying restoration states
Day by day
1Arrival and Wohushan: Gubeikou PassWohushan · Gubeikou · Beijing airport · local farmer's guesthouse near Gubeikou
Meet your guide and driver at Beijing airport for transfer to your hotel, then continue to Gubeikou, the historic mountain pass anchoring this route. Gubeikou's strategic importance spans from the 16th century through the Ming Dynasty; the pass itself once commanded 14 beacon towers, 143 watchtowers, and 16 strategic passages across 40 kilometers of wall. Your guide will brief you on terrain, safety, and the day's route before beginning your first hike at Wohushan, one of Gubeikou's four main sections. Built during the Ming Dynasty, Wohushan extends 13.6 kilometers and is notable for its density of watchtowers and the steepness of its construction. The route's engineering reflects the defensive ingenuity required to hold mountain passes against invasion. Check in at a local farmer's guesthouse near Gubeikou for the night.
2Jinshanling: Restored Wall and Inner DefensesJinshanling · a local village · Erdaoliang Jinshanling guesthouse
After breakfast at your guesthouse, hike toward Jinshanling over 12 kilometers (approximately 4–5 hours), with 3–4 hours for rest, views, and lunch. The path reveals how historical forces shaped the structure: during the 1950s, local farmers removed bricks from sections of the wall to build homes, creating visible gaps in the original masonry. As you walk, you'll observe how the wall was engineered in layers—the inner circle served as a second line of defense if the main outer wall was breached. The route passes through a local village, offering context for how communities lived within the shadow of imperial military infrastructure. Lush vegetation now covers much of the terrain. Check in at the Erdaoliang Jinshanling guesthouse.
3Simatai: Original and Restored SectionsSimatai West · local farmer's restaurant · Beijing hotel or airport
From your guesthouse, hike 12 kilometers across Simatai West to experience both original brick structures and restored sections side by side. The watchtowers here—some two stories, some three—display varied architectural details: flat roofs, rounded domes, and pitched roofs with upturned eaves, each suited to different defensive functions and weather exposure. The mostly paved ground gives way to unrestored pathways with stairs and steep gradients, allowing you to feel the difference between original and reconstructed masonry. After the hike, lunch at a local farmer's restaurant where you'll have the opportunity to meet residents and learn about community development in the region surrounding the wall. Return to your hotel in Beijing or transfer to the airport for onward travel.
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