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12-day China with Great Wall Hiking (2010)

Beijing (Great Wall at Mutianyu, Jinshanling & Simatai) - Xi'an - Shanghai

This tour is intended for casual hikers who are itchy to experience China's Great Wall more than the average tourist does. It is open to anyone over 18 years of age but those suffering from heart conditions, high blood pressure, obesity or mobility difficulty will not find the tour suitable. In fact, this is a physically demanding trip requiring the participant to be perfectly fit.

We will spend 2 days hiking three different sections of the Great Wall covering 15 kilometers in total. Escorted by a senior Laurus Travel guide, tour members will start with Mutianyu section outside Beijing and then move on to the real deal - a 10 km hike from Hebei Province's Jinshanling to Beijing's Simatai section of the Wall. This arduous and yet extremely rewarding journey takes about 5 to 6 hours. The tour includes two nights staying at guesthouses run by villagers near the Great Wall. Although participants are required to carry their own essential supplies such as water and snacks, a porter will be hired to carry extra supplies in case of emergencies.   

The trip also features extensive sightseeing within Beijing. The travel from Beijing to Xi’an, where the Terra Cotta Army is located, is by overnight express train. The tour ends in Shanghai but you may fly back to Beijing if you have to return home from there.

Scroll down to the bottom for departure dates, prices and hotel list.

Day 1/Thu: Departing Home City
The journey begins with your transpacific flight departing from a city of your choice. We lose a day upon crossing the International Date Line.

Day 2/Fri: Arrival in Beijing
Meet our guide on arrival in late afternoon and transfer to the hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure.

Day 3/Sat: Beijing
Beijing, capital of China, is the country's second largest city in terms of population. Following a brief orientation we visit Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City and an old hutong - alleyway flanked with traditional residential courtyards. Welcome dinner features delicious Beijing roast duck, a local delicacy. (B/L/D)

Day 4/Sun: Beijing
Morning visit to the majestic Summer Palace, a royal resort during the Qing Dynasty. After lunch we tour the National Stadium, nicknamed the "Bird nest", where the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games were held. Those who have no interest in the Olympic venue may want to spend the afternoon exploring Panjiayuan flea market on their own.The evening Peking Opera show is optional if available. (B/L)

Day 5/Mon: Beijing - Great Wall at Mutianyu
This morning we drive 73 km north to Mutianyu section of the Wall. Our climbing of this section helps us warm up for the 10km hike tomorrow. To conserve energy, we will ride the cable car to get on and off the Wall. Late in the afternoon we transfer to a village near Jinshanling Great Wall and spend the night at a guesthouse run by a local farming family. The guesthouse is simple but clean and warm. You twin bed room is equipped with private bathroom and shower. The dinner consists of authentic local dishes prepared by the family with organically grown fresh produce from their own farm. (B/L/D) 

Day 6/Tue: Jinshanling - Simatai
After breakfast at 7 am, we set out for our 10 km hike from Jinshanling to Simatai, accompanied by a local guide and a porter. The arduous hike lasts 5 to 6 hours. If you wish to opt out, you can still visit part of the Wall at Jinshanling with the driver, who will then drive you to Simatai to wait for the rest of the group. After a hot lunch at Simatai, we check into a small hotel nearby and spend the rest of day relaxing or wandering around on our own. (B/L/D) 

Day 7/Wed: Simatai - Beijing City Center - Xi'an
Return to the city in the morning. Afternoon sightseeing takes in the Temple of Heaven and Beijing Zoo. We board overnight express train for Xian after dinner. Each private compartment on the train consists of 4 bunk beds (2 upper, 2 lower) and can be locked from inside. (B/L/D)

Day 8/Thu: Xi’an
Transfer to the hotel for breakfast upon arrival around 8 am. Xi'an is the eastern terminus of the fabled Silk Road and one of the ancient capitals of China. It is home to the Terracotta Army designed to follow the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) into eternity. Today's schedule takes in the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, an ancient structure on the grounds of a Buddhist monastery. We spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring on our own after a tour of the provincial History Museum. The modern, well-organized museum was completed in 1992 and traces the history of Xi'an from prehistory to the Qing dynasty (1644-1911). The extensive galleries and exhibitions offer the visitor an excellent introduction to the area that greatly improves understanding of the numerous historical sites in and around the city.

Day 9/Fri: Xi'an
Visit the excavation site of the Terracotta Army located 30km east of the city. A stroll on the ancient wall before dinner is also on our schedule. Tonight we enjoy a spectacular music and dance show reminiscent of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.), a period generally considered a golden era of the Chinese civilization. (B/L/D)

Day 10/Sat: Xi'an - Shanghai
Morning flight to Shanghai. Paris of China, Pearl of the Orient, city of quick riches, paradise of the adventurers - those were some of the names by which Shanghai was known before the Communists took it over from the Nationalist Government in 1949. Our sightseeing in Shanghai begins with a stroll on the Bund - a waterfront promenade famous for its landmark neoclassical buildings of European style, followed by Shanghai Museum. (B/L)

Day 11/Sun: Shanghai
Morning visit to the Yu Garden in old town center and Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center. Explore China's most populous city on your own after lunch. Enjoy a spectacular hour-long cruise on Huangpu River after farewell dinner. (B/L/D)

Day 12/Mon: Shanghai - Home City
Free morning to pack and relax. Transfer to airport by taxi (cab fare approx. $20) to board return flight. Arrive home the same day. (B)

Hotel list
City	Nights	Hotel	Star Rating
Beijing	3	Sheraton Beijing
Great Wall	2	Guesthouse with private bath, simple but clean	N/A
Overnght Train	1	Beijing to Xi'an	"soft sleeper" first class
Xi'an	2	Sheraton Xi'an
Shanghai	2	Sheraton Shanghai Pudong

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