1D: Hike the Great Wall above the Lakes

Begin with the drive to Huanghuacheng, where restored Great Wall masonry follows the mountains above a reservoir. About halfway through the hike, continue into Xishuiyu’s lesser-known, unrestored section. Here, the weathered fortifications meet the water, with broken stretches of the Wall submerged beneath the reservoir.

Our professional tour guide will pick you up from your hotel. We'll head for Huanghuacheng (Yellow Flower Town). It is the last gate of the foreign power to enter the capital. It is known as the "North Gate of the Capital." The rock wall near the pass is engraved with the word "Jin Tang" written during the Ming years, presumably to describe this point as a reliable and dangerous place.
 

Your hike today will be from Huanghuacheng to Xishuiyu, which is about 10 km (4 hours of hiking)

The fantastic countryside of Huanghuacheng Great Wall is covered in a yellow mass of wildflowers in the summer, Also known as the 'Yellow Flower Town' of the Great Wall. This section of the Great Wall has no stone steps or a single smooth walkway, and it provides quite a challenge for its visitors. Another significant feature is the Lake that gives it that extra unique feel to your visit when hiking this beautiful section.

Follow Xishuiyu’s weathered Great Wall west toward the reservoir. The original masonry gives a sense of the Wall before restoration, while submerged sections show the unusual relationship between the fortifications and the water.

Before we drop you off at your hotel, we will stop by the Olympic Park, where you can take some pictures of the famous Birds Nest and the Water Cube. These are symbolic buildings in Beijing from the 2008 Olympics.

• 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.  

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.