The Great Wall of China

For those that enjoy walking, a walk along the Great Wall is often the highlight of any trip to China.

Our specialists have put together a number of points to consider if you are thinking of incorporating a walk along the Great Wall of China into an itinerary:

• Steps can be steep, so you’ll need a reasonable level of fitness.
• Once on the Wall, how long you walk for is up to you. You can walk for up to 6 kilometres towards the Simatai section before heading back towards Jinshanling and exploring further in the opposite direction, which would take around 4 to 5 hours.
• Jinshanling takes 2 hours to reach from Beijing but you will be well rewarded with outstanding views, and are likely to have a great deal of this section to yourself. 

If you are a little more adventurous, it’s possible to arrange a longer trek along the wall, of up to five days. This is a great way to see some sections of the wall that are little visited by Westerners, as well as experiencing a more rural side of Chinese life. Accommodation is basic but this would be a memorable trek, with some fantastic scenery along the way.