1S4: Beijing’s Imperial Palace and a Great Wall Sunset

With a morning pick-up, our day will start with a tour of the famous must-see Forbidden City. After a few hours of touring, we drive out to the Great Wall section of Jinshanling, where we will begin our hike. Here it is one of the most photogenic areas of the Great Wall and never overly crowded, so bring your camera and be amazed at what’s in store!

 MORNING
 

Your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel at about 8 a.m. for the journey to the Forbidden City. Explore the imperial palace’s courtyards and buildings, once the home of China’s emperors, and learn how they reflect the traditions of Chinese architecture.

If you prefer, ask about visiting the Summer Palace instead of the Forbidden City.

NOON
 

We will have a break for a brief lunch by tasting the local specialties of Beijing - dumplings, Chinese quesadilla, noodles with stir-fried sources. You will eat in a place where once the President of China ordered! After lunch, we will make our way out of Beijing towards the Jinshanling Great Wall section. 

AFTERNOON
 

Jinshanling's right wing, where we will hike until we reach Simatai West called Second Valley. As we head west the wall will start to gradually deteriorate, making the hike progressively more challenging, but also interesting to observe and compare.
 

The Jinshanling Great Wall possesses an excellent opportunity to take in some fabulous views. Make sure to take your camera. You will not be disappointed! This part of the Great Wall has not been repaired since 1570. It is very remote, but it's what makes it so unique and a great chance to experience the nature and the wild parts of the wall.
 

West Simatai’s Second Valley offers a rugged walk among original Great Wall ruins. Notice the barriers set across the walkway, perpendicular to the parapets, as you explore the defensive architecture.

After climbing down the wall we will have dinner at a local guesthouse, Then drive back to Beijing, and you will be dropped off back at your hotel in the evening. 

•  English-speaking guide with well-experienced tour guide; 
• Professional driver and nice vehicle; 
• General admissions; 
• Gourmet lunch included and free bottled water;
• Free membership card; 
• Hotel pickup & drop-off;
• Airport pickup & drop-off at a low fee;

PLATINUM PACKAGE

Private or Semi-private English Tour including private transfers, tickets and meal. Your guide will walk with you for every step from hotel pickup to drop-off and on the Great Wall! 

GOLD PACKAGE

Use our top-rated professional private transfer service and tour by yourself. You can pick Volkswagen Passat, Buick Minivan, or luxury Mercedes and BMW. Everything is the same as the Platinum Package except that you pay less.

Budget Version of This Hike (A6)

If you travel alone and are seeking a group tour for social and economic reasons, please sign up our A6 for the same hike but with less cost. Click below bullton for A6 details.  

•  Gubeikou-Jinshanling Sunset
• Jinshanling-West Simatai Sunset
• Jiankou-Mutianyu Sunset
• Huanghuacheng Sunset
• Group Sunset tour

There are many Great Walls to the north of Beijing, all of which were defensive fortresses that guarded the border at that time. They were built according to the terrain, and each segment has its own characteristics.  Check our full list of day hikes, and sunset, sunrise hikes.