Travel and Hiking

A tough Great Wall hike over tricky terrain in a remote area of northwest Beijing, with a lot of ups and downs on the way to the end. Note: this route features steep descents on loose footing—if you’re not good with heights and balancing, you will not enjoy this hike.

We’ll begin in a valley at the literal end of the road, and soon start the climbing: a steep scramble over rocks and bricks towards the first tower. After following the wall up further we’ll take a detour along the ridgeline to reach a very skinny and tall tower with no obvious point of entry.

From there we’ll inch down a narrow and difficult trail, before heading up again along a steep path to continue along the Great Wall. After more climbing up and down we’ll get to the repaired 'switchback' part of the wall, and continue a little further before stopping for a quick lunch break at the highest point on the walk. From the lunch spot we’ll continue to follow the wall, making some extended descents and ascents on stairs as we head for a more accessible stretch of this section of the Great Wall.

After a steep stair climb we’ll reach the “General’s Tower”, one of the biggest towers in the area, and likely the location of the commander in the area back in the Ming Dynasty. From here we’ll be able to see why it made such a good command post – the views are amazing!

From the General's Tower the hike gets much easier, as the wall starts to follow a ridgeline instead of running up and down the sides of valleys. We'll do some hillside detours around the steep and slippery parts until we reach the trail that will lead us back down to the village where we'll find our bus.

Cost: ¥420 / ¥380 for members

See a full description, more photos, and book online at https://www.beijinghikers.com/hike-in-beijing/view/261/switchback-great-wall/

Beijing Hikers—fun and friendly hikes and trips around Beijing and greater China, since 2001.

For more updates on hikes and trips follow our WeChat account BeijingHikers北京爱山 and keep an eye on www.beijinghikers.com

https://www.beijinghikers.com / info@beijinghikers.com

Explore the Panlongshan section of the the Gubeikou Great Wall, starting with a climb up to the 24-Eyes Tower, finishing with a look at some of the Great Wall towers on the west side of the big North Gate, and hiking all the wall in between.

24-Eyes Tower is the highest tower on the Panlongshan ‘Coiling Dragon Mountain’ part of the Great Wall, and was one of the largest, too. The name ’24-Eyes’ came from the number of windows—six on each of the tower’s four sides. The tower only has two sides now due to damage over the years, including explosions and gunfire during a 1930s battle between Chinese and Japanese armies.

From 24-Eyes Tower we’ll hike down the Great Wall, heading for Gubeikou’s North Gate. We’ll be on the wall most of the way there, passing through Haowang Tower and the General’s Tower along the way.

Just after the General’s Tower we’ll take a detour off the wall to head for the North Gate, hiking hill trails to get back to the wall that encircled Gubeikou Village, and then along the wall to the North Gate, an arched gate in the wall.

Includes a post-hike lunch at a countryside restaurant.

Cost: ¥470 / ¥420 for members / ¥240 for kids

See a full description, more photos, and book online at https://www.beijinghikers.com/hike-in-beijing/view/1924/gubeikou-great-wall-7/

Beijing Hikers—fun and friendly hikes and trips around Beijing and greater China, since 2001.

For more updates on hikes and trips follow our WeChat account BeijingHikers北京爱山 and keep an eye on www.beijinghikers.com

https://www.beijinghikers.com / info@beijinghikers.com

On this two-day trip to Yu County in Hebei Province you’ll walk the streets of well-preserved Yuxian Ancient City, visiting the pavilions and pagodas, as well as visiting Jimingyi, the remnants of a Ming Dynasty postal relay center. And, on the first evening, we’ll take in a performance that includes Da Shu Hua, a 300-year old local tradition that translates as ‘making a tree of flaming flowers’ and results in molten iron being flung against the city walls in lieu of a fireworks display!

Cost: ¥2,300 / ¥2,090 for members / ¥1,870 for under 18s

See a full description, more photos, and book online at https://www.beijinghikers.com/hike-in-beijing/view/531/yu-countys-ancient-walled-towns-and-fireworks-of-molten-iron-autumn/

Beijing Hikers—fun and friendly hikes and trips around Beijing and greater China, since 2001.

For more updates on hikes and trips follow our WeChat account BeijingHikers北京爱山 and keep an eye on www.beijinghikers.com

https://www.beijinghikers.com / info@beijinghikers.com

For this hike we plan to be up on the top section of the Mutianyu Great Wall during the ‘golden hour’, the hour before sunset in which the sunlight gets an extra filter as it passes through more of the atmosphere and (hopefully!) gives some lovely soft and warm light for photos of the Great Wall and scenery.

The hike begins from a small village in the Jiankou area. Our local guide has a guesthouse here, and he's picked a nice spot—Jiankou is home to some of the most dramatic stretches of Great Wall in the Beijing area.

We'll start off the hike by following a zigzag hillside trail that rises quickly to a Great Wall tower that is almost 1,000 metres above sea level. From the tower we can see the Jiankou basin, as well as the many other sections of Great Wall in the area.

From there we'll head east, following the wall towards Mutianyu.

We'll end up at the northwestern end of the Mutianyu Great Wall. As the sun gets ready to set, we’ll follow the wall down towards the main park area. It’s during this part of the hike that we should experience the soft light of ’golden hour’, and hopefully we’ll see some lovely colours for photography.

We expect it will get cold and dark quickly as the sun goes down. Bring a flashlight or head lamp, plenty of warm clothes, and maybe a thermos of something hot.

Cost: ¥460 / ¥415 for members

See a full description, more photos, and book online at https://www.beijinghikers.com/hike-in-beijing/view/1652/jiankou-to-beigou-village-great-wall-sundown-hike/

Beijing Hikers—fun and friendly hikes and trips around Beijing and greater China, since 2001.

For more updates on hikes and trips follow our WeChat account BeijingHikers北京爱山 and keep an eye on www.beijinghikers.com

https://www.beijinghikers.com / info@beijinghikers.com

Hike down to the White River and head downstream on trails, gravel tracks, and dirt roads by the riverside, passing below tall cliffs.

You'll see the running river, leafy green trees by the riverside, impressive tall and steep cliffs made from massive slabs of rock and boulders, and hopefully the local family of herons that nest high up in the cliffs.

It’s possible to hike all the way down without crossing, but it’s also fun to get your feet wet on a few of the crossings—up to you!

Cost: ¥420 / ¥380 for members / ¥220 for kids

See a full description, more photos, and book online at https://www.beijinghikers.com/hike-in-beijing/view/1512/along-the-white-river-2/

Beijing Hikers—fun and friendly hikes and trips around Beijing and greater China, since 2001.

For more updates on hikes and trips follow our WeChat account BeijingHikers北京爱山 and keep an eye on www.beijinghikers.com

https://www.beijinghikers.com / info@beijinghikers.com

On this two day Great Wall adventure you’ll hike picturesque stretches of the wild Great Wall and camp in a Great Wall tower at Gubeikou.

We'll supply a tent, sleeping bag, and ground pad for you, as well as a farmhouse dinner and a basic campsite breakfast. All you’ll need is a day pack to carry your essentials while hiking, leaving you free to enjoy the scenery, sunset, stars, and sunrise as we hike along the Gubeikou and Jinshanling sections of the Great Wall.

Maximum group size of 12 hikers; book early to make sure you get a spot!

Cost: ¥1,700 / ¥1,530 for members

See a full description, more photos, and book online at https://www.beijinghikers.com/hike-in-beijing/view/654/camping-gubeikou-great-wall-and-jinshanling-great-wall-4/

Beijing Hikers—fun and friendly hikes and trips around Beijing and greater China, since 2001.

For more updates on hikes and trips follow our WeChat account BeijingHikers北京爱山 and keep an eye on www.beijinghikers.com

https://www.beijinghikers.com / info@beijinghikers.com

24-Eyes Tower is the highest tower on the Panlongshan ‘Coiling Dragon Mountain’ part of the Great Wall, and was one of the largest, too. The name ’24-Eyes’ came from the number of windows—six on each of the tower’s four sides. The tower only has two sides now due to damage over the years, including explosions and gunfire during a 1930s battle between Chinese and Japanese armies.

From 24-Eyes Tower we’ll hike down the Great Wall, heading for Gubeikou’s North Gate. We’ll be on the wall most of the way there, passing through Haowang Tower and the General’s Tower along the way.

Just after the General’s Tower we’ll take a detour off the wall to head for the North Gate, hiking hill trails to get back to the wall that encircled Gubeikou Village, and then along the wall to the North Gate, an arched gate in the wall.

Includes a post-hike lunch at a countryside restaurant.

Hike up on to the ridgeline of the mountains opposite Miaofengshan Temple and make a big 16km loop all the way around, climbing 1,000m-plus on the way.

This hike starts from a village close by to Miaofengshan Temple, in Beijing’s West Mountains. We’ll follow part of an old pilgrims’ trail along a ridge with excellent views, up to a plateau, then up and along the Vulture Rock Ridge.

From the carpark in the middle of the village we’ll follow the main road up towards their orchards and terraces, turning off to head up a steep and twisting mountainside trail. Halfway up we’ll join one of the many pilgrim trails in the area, a roughly paved path that heads up to a saddle above the village.

A trail leads up the plateau and along Vulture Rock Ridge. At first it’s a broad gravelly trail along an old firebreak, which then meets a new road that was built up to the lookout point up top.

We’ll follow that road for a little while, and then get back on to hill trails to reach the first peak on the hike, at an altitude of 1,265m. The views are worth the climb – mountains all around, and views of the flat area that is slowly being filled by Beijing's urban sprawl.

We then make a steep descent and pass the ruins of an old teahouse, and then get back up on to the ridge that will take us up to the peak of Miaofeng Mountain—a steady climb with a few really steep sections that takes us up to 1,277m above sea level. It's a scenic trail, but can get bushy in summer.

Cost: ¥390 / ¥350 for members

See a full description, more photos, and book online at https://www.beijinghikers.com/hike-in-beijing/view/628/miaofengshan-super-loop/

Beijing Hikers—fun and friendly hikes and trips around Beijing and greater China, since 2001.

For more updates on hikes and trips follow our WeChat account BeijingHikers北京爱山 and keep an eye on www.beijinghikers.com

https://www.beijinghikers.com / info@beijinghikers.com

Duanshuling is located in the northern mountainous area of Huairou, at the Baiquan Mountain range. With its unique geographical environment, mountains and abundant vegetation, it forms a unique natural landscape. The valley is filled with streams, and small waterfalls, with forest coverage reaching 95%.

Hike Information:

l Date: Aug.31st (Saturday)

l Drive time: 2 hours each way

【The route type】This route is mainly consists of dust+gravel roads, few rocky place. Some small streams need to be crossed.

【The route description】At the begining, the hiking route is relatively easy and clibming up slowly. While the middle section involves steep ascents and descents. Then we are through tourist area and climbing up in 1 km. After that, we are out of the tourist place. (The village will charge entrence fee around 10.00/person-20.00/person. Let's see when we are there.) It is a good practice route for beginners.

l Distance: 9km

l Time to complete: 5 hours

l Total ascent: 520m

l Total descent: 518m

l Peak: 769m

l Lowest point: 252m

l Location: Huairou

Preparation:

1. Take at least 4 bottles of water. (Remember to drink and eat constantly on the trail, if you have to drink because you are thirsty you are not drinking often enough, if you need to eat because you feel weak you haven't been eating enough.)

2. Bring some lunch, and some snacks.

3. Hiking boots is necessary.‍

4. More details will be posted in the group before hiking.

Itinerary:

07.30: Departure from Dongzhimen (line2 exit B)

09.30: Arrive the place, beginning of hike

18.00: Arrive back in Beijing

Activity Fee: 150RMB/person

Activity Price includes:

1. Transportation with a driver

2. Hiking Leaders: Lengzhi, Shan'nan(Intern)

3. One day outdoor insurance

Payment: After the hike, you can transfer the fee to Mona by Wechat or Alipay.

Please note:

- Do not participate if you are sick or showing symptoms of ever or couching.

- Customer service: Mona (wechat id: mona_zhangli) If you have any suggestions or complaint, please feel free to leave messages.

- Photos will be used in the social media platform. If you don't want to show in the picture, let us know.

Cancellation:

1. You can cancel anytime till the deadline on Friday 18:00PM. As we have to fix capacties for the bus and the guides. After deadline, we will have charge you 80% activity fee. Or you find another person not yet registered to join the hike. If your cancellation is on Saturday morning, please pay 100% activity fee. We repect your choice. When you register for this activity, you accept this cancelation policy.

2. Bad weather plan:We will message you 1-2 days before the hike to let you know about theweather condition. If there is a thunderstorm, heavy rain or strongwinds it will be dangerous to do the hike in the high mountains. Sowe will cancel it or change the dates.

Join us:

Add me as your wechat: mona_zhangli, or scan the QR in below. I'll add you into our hiking group.

Crossing North Lingshan, it is one of classical hiking routes. With high altitude and vast alpine meadows, this is one of the most popular routes around Beijing in summer time. We chose a route that offers a little bit of a challenge, but you definately can make it.

We will end of the trip at Huangcaoliang. Huangcaoliang, an alpine meadow stretched from east to west for several kilometers on the mountain, only a few months of the year, it turns green to green, most of the time it is dark yellow. Let's enjoy the precious moment.

Hike Information:

l Date: August 24th (Saturday)

l Drive time: 2.5 hours each way

【The route type】This route mainly consists of dust roads+grassy paths, with two steep slopes to ascend and descend. There is a 10.00RMB entrance fee.

【The route description】At the first section, there is an oberioulsy climbing up from the starting point to the summit of North Lingshan. There is a short shaded path through the forest, but the meadow area has no shade, so it's important to be well-prepared for sun protection. From the summit to Huangcaoliang, the trail is mostly downhill, with a bit steep section at the beginning. From Huangcaoliang to the GreatWall tower, the trail is uphill but slope is slowly. The last descent section mostly follows the valley, with a significant slope. It's recommended for using knee pads or trekking poles. Additionally, there are forks in the path; if you lose sight of the group ahead, please wait for the group behind to catch up.

l Distance: 16km

l Time to complete: 7 hours

l Total ascent: 580m

l Total descent: 1220m

l Peak: 1884m

l Lowest point: 964m

l Location: Mentougou

NOTE:

1. Take at least 3-4 bottles of water. (Remember to drink and eat constantly on the trail, if you have to drink because you are thirsty you are not drinking often enough, if you need to eat because you feel weak you haven't been eating enough.)

2. Bring some lunch, and some snacks.

3. Hiking boots is necessary.‍

4. More details will be posted in the group before hiking.

Itinerary:

07.30: Departure from Dongzhimen (line2 exit B)

10.00: Arrive the village, beginning of hike

20.00: Arrive back in Beijing

Activity Fee: 160RMB/person (Further distance)

Activity Price includes:

1. Transportation with a driver

2. Hiking Leaders: Nuanyang,

3. One day outdoor insurance

4. The Organizer: Mona

5. Payment: After the hike, you can transfer the fee to Mona by Wechat or Alipay.

Please note:

- Do not participate if you are sick or showing symptoms of ever or couching.

- Customer service: Mona (wechat id: mona_zhangli) If you have any suggestions or complaint, please feel free to leave messages.

- Photos will be used in the social media platform. If you don't want to show in the picture, let us know.

Cancellation:

1. You can cancel anytime till the deadline on Friday 18:00PM. As we have to fix capacties for the bus and the guides. After deadline, we will have charge you 80% activity fee. Or you find another person not yet registered to join the hike. If your cancellation is on Saturday morning, please pay 100% activity fee. We repect your choice. When you register for this activity, you accept this cancelation policy.

2. Bad weather plan:We will message you 1-2 days before the hike to let you know about theweather condition. If there is a thunderstorm, heavy rain or strongwinds it will be dangerous to do the hike in the high mountains. Sowe will cancel it or change the dates.

Join us:

Add me as your wechat: mona_zhangli, or scan theQR in below. I'll add you into our hiking group.