Great Wall One-day Hike from
Gubeikou to Jinshanling
TOUR
1AA: See both the Great Wall built 2,000 years ago and 400 years ago - The alternative route to replace Tour 1A due to Simatai's
closure
Popularity Ranking: 
*Ranked by the quantity of signups of
all 1-day hiking routes.
The American Softball Group
used our service during the 2008 Beijing Olympics
for Great Wall to hike from Jinshanling to Simatai (before
Simatai was closed in June 2010).
"NBC-Beijing Olympics." also hiked the Mutianyu
Great Wall with our club.
Highlights
Gubeikou was a strategic
fort to protect the capital in ancient times. Gubeikou, along with the passes at Shanhaiguan and Juyongguan, was a key strategic target in military campaigns since
ancient times. Protecting these three passes was considered vital for
keeping Beijing safe from the Mongolian nomads. The vistas of the
sinuous Wall snaking its way over the ridges of the Yanshan are
breathtaking. This section of the wall
meanders through the countryside and mountains, and you will be rewarded
by the scenery along both the Gubeikou
and Jinshanlng sections. 
In 1933, Chinese army fought against
Japanese invasion troops in Gubeikou. In
the four-month-long battles, over 5,000 Japanese soldiers were
killed while 9,000 Chinese soldiers died. It was amazing that
ancient wall was still useful in the World War II. In other words,
Gubeikou is not merely a relic but it remained as a battlefield
in modern world. Today, there is
still a military installation in Gubeikou and we'll take a side path
along the Wall to by pass that restricted zone.
The
Jinshanling Great
Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while partially restored, is not nearly as crowded as Badaling or Mutianyu,
allowing you to have a more intimate experience with the wall.
Jinshanling is known for it many beautiful watchtowers, as well as the
way it winds and snakes its way along the mountains. When you first get
up on Jinshanling you will be stunned.
Detailed Hiking Itinerary: (10km/6miles
on mountain, 4.5 - 6 hours
of hiking)
 Our car or minivan will pick you up
anywhere within the 3rd ring road, probably between the
times 8:00 - 8:30 am. and from your pick up we will drive
directly to the Gubeikou (left photo) great wall. The drive should
take a little over 2.5 hours. Gubeikou Great Wall occupies
a strategically important location, which is difficult
to access. Situated between Shanhaiguan Pass and
Juyongguan Pass, and about 62 miles to Beijing, it is
the bastion protecting the northern gateway to the
capital. There are 14 beacon towers, 143 watchtowers, 16
strategic pass, three citadels and many other military
constructions. Many of them are famous cultural relics,
such as the Big Flower Beacon Tower of the Northern Qi
Dynasty, Fairy Tower, General Tower, and the dominant
Wangjing Tower.
Today we will hike for around 10
km/6 miles. Gubeikou is covered with over 140
watchtowers, all differing in size and design. From the
wall here you will be able to witness how the wall
twists and winds along the steep mountain ranges. This
is as dramatic a view on the Great Wall as you’ll find.
If the weather is clear, you will be able to see the
shimmering blue lake of the Miyun Reservoir. There is a
section on the wall that is part of a military base, so
you will be able to walk and explore a quaint nearby
local village to take a detour and re-enter the wall
somewhere close to Jinshanling.
Much of the hiking that we will do
on Jinshanling (right photo) today is relatively easy, as much of the
wall here is restored and the surface smooth.
Jinshanling has five main passes and 67 watchtowers.
Every 100 meters (328 feet), there is an enemy tower
each of which is about ten meters (33 feet) high.
Featuring various structures and having various
functions, those watchtowers are either one tiered or
two-tiered. Among them, the most celebrated are the Big
and Small Jinshan Watchtowers. The Wangjinglou Tower,
the General Tower, the Black Tower and the Taochun Tower
are also must-sees on the Jinshanling Great Wall. Each
tower has its legend. Legend has it that the stone bars
used to build the Wangjinglou Tower were carried to the
mountaintop by Er Lang Shen, the nephew of the Jade
Emperor. The general tower was named to commemorate Wu Guihua, a heroine who sacrificed herself to resist
northern invader's invasion in the Ming Dynasty. The
Black Tower and the Taochun Tower were christened to
commemorate two girls, Heigu and Taochun, who made great
contributions to the construction of the Great Wall.
(Jinshanling photo & copyright by
Duan Jiujun. Authorized use only. 2011)
|
Note: Please remember to bring your own snacks,
drinks, and lunch, as a meal will not be provided on this hike.
Stuff you should bring with you:
* Tough hiking boots, sunscreen and sunglasses
* Backpack, and snacks or energy/protein supplements you want to
have before lunch*
* Extra cash for driver/guide tips
* Don’t forget your camera!
|
Great Wall Sunset Tour
1S2 - 
Check 
