China4 days
Gubeikou Great Wall: Four-Day Mountain Trek
Hiking the Ming Dynasty frontier across Wohushan, Jinshanling, and Simatai—40 kilometers of restored and original wall
This four-day trek follows the Gubeikou section of the Great Wall, a 40-kilometer stretch built and reinforced during the Ming Dynasty beginning in 1378 under General Xuda. The route covers four distinct segments—Wohushan, Panlongshan, Jinshanling, and Simatai—moving progressively through sections where 1950s agricultural salvage has left visible damage to the wall structure, to the original and restored watchtowers of Simatai. Nights are spent in local farmhouse guesthouses rather than hotels. Each day involves 4–5 hours of walking at varying elevations and grades, interspersed with meals prepared in village kitchens and opportunities to speak directly with residents whose families have lived along the wall for generations.
Highlights
- Wohushan section—13.6 kilometers of Ming Dynasty wall with watchtowers and steep terrain
- Jinshanling's inner defense circle—a secondary wall structure, with visible gaps where farmers dismantled bricks
- Simatai's original and restored watchtowers—2-, 3-story structures with flat, rounded, and pitched roofs with upturned eaves
- Meals at local farmer's homes—home-cooked Chinese food with opportunity to meet residents and learn about surrounding villages
Day by day
1Arrival in BeijingBeijing · Nostalgia Hotel · a local restaurant
Arrive in Beijing and transfer privately to Nostalgia Hotel (approximately 1 hour from airport). The evening brings your group together for an introductory meeting at 7 PM, followed by a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Your guide will provide a pre-trek briefing covering terrain, route logistics, safety requirements, and packing essentials for the following three hiking days. Overnight at Nostalgia Hotel.
2Beijing to Wohushan Great WallWohushan Great Wall · Beijing hotel · farmer's guesthouse in the Gubeikou area
Morning departure from Beijing hotel with private transfer to Gubeikou. Your guide introduces the Gubeikou complex, a 40-kilometer fortified pass dating to the 16th century and comprising Wohushan, Panlongshan, Jinshanling, and Simatai sections.
Wohushan Great Wall was built during the Ming Dynasty and stands at 665.2 meters elevation. This 13.6-kilometer section stretches along a ridge with 143 watchtowers positioned across the larger Gubeikou complex, which includes 14 beacon towers and 16 strategic passes. The wall features two-story watchtowers with varied roof designs and steep grades typical of mountain fortifications.
Today's hike covers this section with walking time included. Picnic lunch is served on the wall. Dinner and overnight accommodation are at a farmer's guesthouse in the Gubeikou area.
3Jinshanling Wall HikeJinshanling section · inner wall · local villages · guesthouse in Erdaoliang village · farmer's house
After breakfast at your guesthouse, depart for Jinshanling section. The route covers 12 kilometers including walking, rest breaks, and lunch.
This section of the wall shows surface damage from the 1950s, when local residents dismantled bricks to construct homes. Your guide will point out the inner wall, a secondary defensive line built to protect against breaches in the primary structure. The trail passes through local villages, providing context on how communities developed adjacent to the fortification. Most terrain is moderate with occasional steep sections.
You'll arrive at a guesthouse in Erdaoliang village by late afternoon. Dinner is served at the farmer's house where you will overnight.
4Simatai Wall Hike and Return to BeijingSimatai · local farmer's restaurant · Beijing airport
This final hiking day takes you to Simatai, which contains both original unrestored sections and rebuilt portions. Your guide leads you across the wall covering mostly paved ground with several steeper stretches featuring stairs and uneven terrain. Watchtowers along the ridge display 2 and 3-story structures with flat, rounded, or pitched roofs. Views reveal how the wall traces the mountainous landscape across multiple ridges.
After the hike, you'll visit a local farmer's restaurant for lunch featuring home-cooked Chinese meals and conversation with residents about community life and development in the region. A private transfer then takes you to Beijing airport, concluding your trek.
Where you go
- 1Beijing
- 2Wohushan Great Wall