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Multi-day treks · 12-DAY

Twelve Days of Great Wall Exploration and Beijing Culture

Begin with arrival support in Beijing, discover the coastal fortresses and Dongjiakou, and continue across the mountain sections toward the capital. A final Beijing sightseeing day adds a cultural conclusion to the trek.

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Trip summary

Begin with arrival support in Beijing, discover the coastal fortresses and Dongjiakou, and continue across the mountain sections toward the capital. A final Beijing sightseeing day adds a cultural conclusion to the trek.

12-DAYMulti-day treksAn extensive journey with challenging hiking sections and scheduled cultural days.

Route overview

12-DAY Great Wall route map

The map illustrates the program area. Daily transfers and hiking directions follow the itinerary below.

Brief itinerary

  1. Day 1 · Airport Transfer
  2. Day 2 · Beijing to Old Dragon's Head
  3. Day 3 · Jiaoshan Great Wall
  4. Day 4 · Dongjiakou Village
  5. Day 5 · East Qing Tombs to Huangyaguan
  6. Day 6 · Peace Fort to Huangyaguan and Sky Ladder
  7. Day 7 · West Simatai-Jinshanling
  8. Day 8 · Jinshanling to Gubeikou
  9. Day 9 · Jiankou
  10. Day 10 · Jiankou to Mutianyu
  11. Day 11 · Huanghuacheng Lakeside
  12. Day 12 · The Forbidden City and Cultural Ride

Detailed itinerary

Day 1 · Airport Transfer

Arrive in Beijing and meet your driver at the confirmed airport meeting point. Transfer to your arranged hotel and use the remaining time to settle in before the journey begins.

Planned overnight: Holiday Inn Express or similar

Day 2 · Beijing to Old Dragon's Head

Travel from Beijing to the Bohai coast, where Old Dragon’s Head carries the Wall to the sea. Explore the defenses at Shanhaiguan, visit the Great Wall Museum and take in the old town before the mountain stages begin.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Planned overnight: Shanhaiguan Hotel or similar

Day 3 · Jiaoshan Great Wall

Leave the coastal setting behind for Jiaoshan, where the Wall begins its climb into the mountains near Shanhaiguan. Follow the historic ramparts through increasingly rugged scenery, with the day’s accessible walking section set by your guide.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Planned overnight: Shanhaiguan Hotel or similar

Day 4 · Dongjiakou Village

Explore the fortifications around Dongjiakou, a village linked to the defense of Shanhaiguan. Surviving towers and broken stretches of masonry offer a close look at the Wall’s mountain defenses before the evening transfer toward Huangyaguan.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Planned overnight: Huangyaguan Hotel or similar

Day 5 · East Qing Tombs to Huangyaguan

Visit the Eastern Qing Tombs for an introduction to the imperial burial landscape and its ceremonial architecture. Continue to Dule Temple, noted for its historic wooden structure and Guanyin statue, with Huangyaguan serving as the base for the next Wall stage.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Planned overnight: Huangyaguan Hotel or similar

Day 6 · Peace Fort to Huangyaguan and Sky Ladder

Explore the Huangyaguan area, including the defenses around Taipingzhai, also known as Peace Fort. The planned route continues toward the steep Sky Ladder and older mountain remains; the guide will confirm which sections are accessible for your group.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Planned overnight: Huangyaguan Hotel or similar

Day 7 · West Simatai-Jinshanling

Explore the Jinshanling and West Simatai side, following the direction and exit confirmed by your guide. Alternating repaired and weathered stretches, frequent towers and successive hill crests give this stage its distinctive rhythm.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Planned overnight: Camping on the Wall

Day 8 · Jinshanling to Gubeikou

Walk the Gubeikou–Jinshanling corridor in the direction shown in the daily route. Gubeikou’s weathered ridges and Jinshanling’s substantial watchtowers provide a varied picture of the Wall, while connecting paths allow the walk to follow the permitted access for the day.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Planned overnight: Miss-U-Much Hostel

Day 9 · Jiankou

Devote the day to Jiankou’s dramatic ridgeline and unrestored towers. Mountain approaches and uneven surfaces make this a careful, guided walk, with stops at suitable viewpoints rather than a fixed promise to reach every tower.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Planned overnight: Laohe's Inn

Day 10 · Jiankou to Mutianyu

Begin on Jiankou’s rugged mountain side and follow the agreed route toward Mutianyu. Weathered towers and broken masonry gradually give way to restored ramparts, ending with a descent arranged to suit the day’s conditions and your group.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Planned overnight: Camping on the Wall

Day 11 · Huanghuacheng Lakeside

Walk above Huanghuacheng’s reservoir, where the Wall descends toward the water and crosses the surrounding hills. Views toward Xishuiyu reveal the unusual relationship between the historic defenses and the later reservoir landscape.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Planned overnight: Holiday Inn Express or similar

Day 12 · The Forbidden City and Cultural Ride

Spend the final program day exploring Beijing’s cultural sights. Discuss the Forbidden City, Summer Palace or a hutong outing with your trip planner so the day reflects your interests and available admission reservations. The source program also provides a further Beijing overnight and an onward airport or station transfer the following day; confirm these arrangements in your proposal.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Planned overnight: Holiday Inn Express or similar

Along the Wall

Twelve Days of Great Wall Exploration and Beijing Culture
12-day Great Wall Trek

Plan your departure

We confirm pickup, transfers, walking distances, meals and overnight arrangements in your personal proposal. Routes and camping locations depend on permitted access, weather and your group’s ability; named accommodations are planned stays and remain subject to availability.

For Mutianyu, confirm whether cable car, chairlift or toboggan tickets are included in your quote. Camping equipment and the approved overnight location are confirmed before departure.

Ask about 12-DAY

Send your dates, party size and hiking experience so we can prepare the right arrangements.

Request this tour