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| 7 | |
Great Wall Hiking |
DAYS |
This
7 days tour will show you an authentic Beijing, an authentic China. As one of
China's four ancient capitals, with its profound history of 3000 years and 20
million people, covering 16,808 square kilometers in area, Beijing is the
cultural, political, and historical center of China. It is widely considered to
be one of the most magnificent cities in the world. Let’s share a journey of exploration
which will ultimately invest in your life story!
This program
has been crafted for serious Great Wall enthusiasts who would like to
experience the best parts of the wild Great Wall, but who has only limited time.
This is a comprehensive Great Wall tour that we offer, combined Great Wall
hiking and the historical sites in Beijing city center together as well nearby water
town in Miyun with one day special experience in Gubei Water Town, and you'll
be hard pressed to find a better constructed one at any other travel agency.
ARRIVE IN BEIJING
Arrive in
Beijing in the morning, you will be met at Beijing International Airport by our
CAT guide and transferred to a comfort hotel in central Beijing, have a short
rest.
After lunch,
drive to Tian’anmen Square, walk cross the square, then visit Forbidden City,
the symbol of China, also called Gu Gong. It was the imperial palace during the
Ming and Qing dynasties. Welcome dinner will be followed by that.
Accommodation Economy hotel in Beijing
Meals LD
BEIJING / DAYINGPAN / YANGBIANCHENG
After breakfast, check out the hotel and take 2-2.5hrs to the entrance of the wild wall on the border of the Yanqing County of Beijing and Huailai County of the Hebei and the beginning of our trek. Today we can enjoy the beauty and tranquility of this idyllic spot in the absence of other tourists. This section of the wall was built up in the year of 1520 during the Ming Dynasty. We have time to take in the intriguing rock formations of the wall before trekking to view a huge dilapidated water gate. We stop for some lunch before continuing in the afternoon trekking through canyons and across fields, gradually climbing until we have the wall on one side and the ancient village of Dayingpan on the other. Here we have a chance to meet some of the local villagers and take in traditional life before trekking back to our awaiting coach. Then take 50mins drive to tonight’s lodging place.Accommodation Hostel near Badaling
Distance 10km
Meals BLD
Time 6hrs hiking
BADALING / SHIXIAGUAN / HUANGHUACHENG
This
morning, we will take a short drive to the start point of today’s trek – ruined
Badaling Great Wall. As its name hints, this section of the Great Wall is
partially restored and more adventurous, while not being easy to climb. After
about 2-3 hours of hiking, we’ll cross over into Shixiaguan (Stone Gorge) Pass,
5km southwest of the Badaling section of the Great Wall. It is one of the most
intact parts of the whole Great Wall. In spite of serious damage, the winding
wall set in the lofty mountains reveals its grandeur. However, a castle in
Shixiaguan was pulled down during the Great Leap Forward. Nevertheless, the
wall remains relatively intact because of its strategic location. Shixiaguan
Pass was originally built in the reign of Ming Emperor Wanli (about 1600 AD),
which was then a key pass guarded by a large number of soldiers. There are
sites such as official residences, the ancient castle, clay walls and brick
walls in the village. After another 2-3 hours of hiking, we’ll walk down the
Great Wall and have a late lunch. Then we'll take 1.5-2hrs drive to Huanghuacheng section of the Great Wall. Huanghuacheng Great Wall is the only one section in
Beijing that was built through a lake. The whole section is defined in three
segments by water. When summer arrives in full bloom, the entire village below
is awashed in a sea of yellow wild flowers ('yellow flower' is 'huanghua' in
Chinese). Hence the village name Huanghuacheng (Huanghua City in English), and
by turn the Great Wall section acquires its name.
Accommodation Guest House at the bottom of Huanghuacheng
Distance 10km
Meals BLD
Time 4.5-5hrs hiking
HUANGHUACHENG / XISHUIYU / JIANKOU
There
are several up-and-down parts today, however fortunately the mountains here are
not that high or steep. First, there is a good trail alongside the Wall, after
about half an hour we will get to a watchtower on the cliff. Here is a great
place to take photos, one of which must be of the moon-shaped reservoir at the
bottom of the mountain. Then, after another half-an-hour hiking, we will reach
the highest point in this area, on the pinnacle of which there is a broken
watchtower. From this vantage point you will have a nice sunny panoramic view
of the whole wide valley, stretching even further toward the west.
Unfortunately,
from here on, the Wall is really too broken to traverse safely, so we will
instead follow a pleasant mountain trail downwards into Xishuiyu Village.
After
lunch, drive
2 hour to Xizaizhi village at the bottom of Jiankou Great Wall.
Accommodation Guest House at the bottom of Jiankou
Distance 8km
Meals BLD
Time 4hrs hiking
JIANKOU / MUTIANYU / GUBEIKOU
Today will be the hardest day. We will spend the morning on the Jiankou section of the Wall, recognized as one of most beautiful parts of the “Wild Wall” near Beijing, and much-loved by photographers. Not visited often by “typical” tourists, this section is really rough and broken. Although we will have to be careful walking on it, the opportunity for pictures in this section is unequalled!
The hike along the wall will take about 4 hours, and it is unlikely you will meet any other tourists along the way. Although the Wall follows the mountain crest, it is gently undulating and, although there are areas of disrepair to be navigated with care, it is fairly-easy hiking. One highlight is the enemy observation tower known as, "Ying Fei Dao Yang", so named because this watchtower was erected on the highest peak in the area, and eagles and hawks often perch on it. Although the majestic wall is slowly being conquered by small trees and brambles, the view from the top is still stunning! Taking the chairlift down to the bottom of Mutianyu Great Wall, enjoy a late lunch and then drive to Gubeikou section of the Great Wall.
Upon arrival, we will directly trek 2hrs to tonight’s camping site. Today’s hike will take us to a military area along the Wall, which we must bypass. We will take a pleasant diversion to a friendly village where will be our tonight’s camping site.
At 18:00pm, we will start our tonight’s BBQ dinner, it will be arranged at the yard of local guest house.
Accommodation Camping on the Great Wall
Distance 10km
Meals BLD
Time 4-4.5hrs hiking
CAMPSITE / GUBEIKOU / JINSHANLING / ERCHU / GUBEI WATER TOWN
We will be up before sunrise to catch the sun throwing soft morning light onto the Wall itself, great for pictures! Simple breakfast will be followed, then we will continue to hike from our camping site eastward to Jinshanling section of Great Wall. The panoramic view is wonderful – partway along the hike. After a 2.5 hours hike, we will arrive at Shayukou Tower, you could down to the bottom of Jinshanling Great Wall through a mountain path. From here, for the participants with good physical strength, they could continue to hike 2.5hrs eastward to Erchu ( Wuyan tower), where we could enjoy a good view of Simatai Great Wall and overlook the surrounding. Then we will down to meet the driver in the parking lot at the bottom of Jinshanling. A short drive will take us to Gubei Watertown at the bottom of Simatai Great Wall.
Gubei Water Town is situated in Gubei Township of Miyun County northeast of Beijing, hence the name of Gubei Water Town. It has a charming location with a massive backdrop of the world famous Simatai Great Wall, accompany of the romantic Yuanyang Lake ( Mandarin Duck ) and the ancient Simatai Village that was developed from Simatai Castle built during the reign of Emperor Wanli ( 1573 -1620 ) in Ming Dynasty ( 1368 – 1644 ). So the Gubei Water Town resort is a rare combo of Great Wall, Mountains, Lakes and Ancient Villages.
Accommodation Guest House in Gubei Water Town
Distance 10km
Meals BLD
Time 5-6hrs hiking
GUBEI WATER TOWN - SIMATAI - HOME
This morning, we will firstly do a 2hrs round hike on the spectacular Simatai Great Wall. Our hiking on Simatai stops at Tower 10 where we could watch a beautiful sunset on the top of Jinshanling Great Wall and overlook the surrounding. Then we will down to the bottom of Simatai. Then, you will have a leisure time to enjoy the night view of Gubei Water Town.
After lunch, we will transfer to Beijing International Airport for our return international flights.
Distance 4km
Meals BLD
Time 1.5-2hrs hiking
Additional details
1. Before you pay deposit to book the tour, we haven’t made any reservation yet. The train, flight tickets and the hotel may different from the itinerary listed.
2. The visiting order of the scenic spots in the itinerary may change according to the traffic condition and other unforeseen things.
3. Tourist insurance is a must before going, please provide us the confirmation of insurance company when sign up.
The price includes
1. Entrance Fees: to scenic spots as listed in the itinerary
2. All the activities fee mentioned in the itinerary: Hutong rickshaw in Beijing; Sichuan Opera show in Chengdu;
3. Private Transfers: Transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing during the trip by private air conditioned vehicle with a driver.
4. Meals: All meals as indicated in the itinerary (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner), include Peking duck dinner in Beijing; Hot pot dinner in Chengdu.
5. Guide: As outlined in the itinerary an English-speaking guide and driver will be provided in each city, who will remain with you throughout your time in that city. A new guide and a new driver will meet you at each city on your tour, to provide you with the best local knowledge available
6. Hotel: hotel fees are based on two people sharing one room with king-size bed. All hotels as listed in the above itinerary serve daily western or Chinese breakfast
9. Arrangements: the tour cost includes planning, handling, operational and communication charges
10. Travel Agency Liability insurance
The price does not include
1. International airfare or train tickets to enter or leave China
2. China entry visa fees
3. Excess baggage charges
4. The medicine for the sickness or accident while on the way
5. Personal expenses: expenses of a purely personal nature such as laundry, drinks, fax, telephone calls, optional activities, sightseeing or meals which are not included in the tour itinerary
6. Meals: any meals which are not specified in the tour itinerary
7. Single room supplement
8. Please notice that the price will be much higher during the festival of Labors’ Day, National Day, spring festival
9. Tips to tour guide and driver (recommended USD10-15/guest/day).
10. Tourist accident insurance. NB - you are strongly suggested to buy travel and health insurance before you start out from your home country.
Payment conditions
To confirm your reservation, you must pay a deposit of 30% of the total amount due via the payment link that your local agent will share. The balance is due 30 days prior to departure. The quoted exchange rate is valid for the next 7 days – if the deposit is not paid within this time, the quote will be re-calculated.
Terms and conditions for cancelation
i. Cancellation of the Tour by CAT (local agent):
CAT reserve the right to cancel the postpone tour at any time up to the date final payment is due under the following condition: in our opinion, health and/or safety factors related to conditions in China would make the tour inadvisable. And in this case, all money paid by the participants will be refunded. If the tour is postponed, CAT will offer all those who have signed up the opportunity to have the same tour for a later time, but the price may be changed according to the season. We will notify you of any change, and give you a reasonable period
of time to make your decision. Consumers may, but are under no obligation to, take the tour under these new terms. After final payment has been made, we may cancel the tour only if, in our opinion, health and/or safety factors related to conditions in China would make the tour inadvisable. Since cancellation in this case involves factors which may arise suddenly and are entirely outside our control, including but not limited to natural disasters, civil unrest and epidemic disease, we cannot guarantee a full refund in this case. This is because payment will already have been made to finalize the arrangements and reservation.
ii. Cancellation of the Tour by Consumer:
Any cancellation must be made by sending an email to the local agent. The cancellation fee varies according to how many days prior to departure the cancellation is made:
· More than 30 days prior to departure: 5% of the total holiday cost
· Between 30 and 22 days prior to departure : 25% of the total holiday cost
· Between 21 and 8 days prior to departure : 50% of the total holiday cost
· Between 7 and 3 days prior to departure : 75% of the total holiday cost
· Less than 3 days prior to departure and after the departure date: 100% of the total holiday cost
All cancellations must be in writing and will be effective upon receipt by CAT. No refund will be made to those participants who break the journey regardless of the portions of the package unused. If, owing to serious illness or injury, the participant withdraws from the tour, a refund will be subject to the consent of the local travel agent.
No refund will be made to those participants who have failed to secure valid travel documents such as passport or visas.