Win Tickets to Get Fit on the Great Wall This Autumn With Beijing Hiker's Hiking Festival, Sep 9

Hiking on the Great Wall may just be one of the most life-affirming activities you can do in Beijing. Up on the Wall, the sheer scale and majesty of the twists and turns it takes through Beijing's northern bucolic hills will take your breath away in more ways than one. What can be particularly exciting is getting completely lost, running out of water, and begging the only people you've seen for kilometers for a little sip of their water to quench the thirst that will surely be the end of you (no comment).

To save you from the embarrassment and deep-seated stupidity one might feel after such an incident (again, no comment), Beijing Hikers have organized their fourth annual Hiking Festival, to take place on Saturday, September 9. The day-long event is divided into two options: the first is your run-of-the-mill Hike for Fun (also suitable for kids 7 years and up) dawdle through scenic flats, admiring the abundant birds and smelling the sweet pollen of flowers along the way.

The second, however, is a walk simply deemed "The Challenge." As if it couldn't sound any more ominous, but ominous it should be. This little lesson in backbreaking, knee-stomping, sweat-showering is just a little half-marathon up the Wall with over 1,000 meters of that uphill. If that's not enough, you can extend it to 30km if you're willing to scrabble your aching carcass up and over mountains using only the bloody nubs you used to call fingers.

All joking aside, the Hiking Festival is a safe chance to get out of the city, do some exercise, and enjoy the Wall in completely different light through the help of knowledgeable guides that have been in the excursion business for over 15 years. It's also a great chance to meet like-minded people who revel in the great outdoors, setting you up with travel buddies for whenever you feel the sudden an inescapable need to flee Beijing's cold, gray (but super-fun!) heart.

All you need to do is sign up for the festival before September 6 and Beijing Hikers will take care of all the rest, including transport to and from the wall from the Beijing Agricultural Center, water, assigned support staff, and snacks to replenish your energy. The Hike for Fun costs RMB 500 whereas The Challenge is RMB 700.

Best yet, the Beijinger is the media sponsor for the event and we have six individual tickets to give away to you lucky readers. For your chance to win, simply answer this question: When did Beijing Hikers begin organizing hikes and expeditions around China?

Simply send your answer to win@truerun.com before Friday, September 1, along with your name and phone number. We look forward to seeing you clambering up the Wall. Just please don't get upset if we lunge for your water.

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Email: tomarnstein@thebeijinger.com
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Images courtesy of Beijing Hikers