1-Day
Day Walks
Spend a day walking between historic towers, with transport from Beijing.
Explore Great Wall hiking tours →Great Wall Adventure Club · Since 2003Explore the tours
Conquer the Real Great Wall.
Walk the Great Wall of China. Hike like a hero.
History beneath your boots
Hike the Great Wall—from the sea to the mountains.
The Great Wall changes from one valley to the next. At unrestored sections, old masonry follows rough mountain ridges; elsewhere, repaired steps and towers make the defensive architecture easier to explore. Your guide helps explain those differences as you walk.
For a coastal beginning, consider Old Dragon’s Head at Shanhaiguan, where the Ming Great Wall meets the Bohai Sea. Longer routes connect this landmark with passes and mountain sections inland, revealing how the defenses adapted to very different settings.
Explore Great Wall Treks from the Sea
Why book with us
A Great Wall specialist trusted since 2003
The best route is the one that fits your time, interests and walking ability. We explain the terrain and travel involved so you can choose your Great Wall experience with a clear picture of the day ahead.
Since our beginnings in Beijing in 2003, we have built journeys around local route knowledge and practical coordination. Guides, drivers and the team behind each departure work together to keep the itinerary coherent from pickup to return.
Our past guests and projects include Google, British Airways, NASA, NBC Olympics and 19 Kids and Counting. That experience with varied groups also informs the way we plan for couples, families and independent travelers.
With headquarters in the United States and long-established roots in China, our team helps connect your travel plans with the people and arrangements on the ground.
Choose your adventure
ENERGIZING WALKS
A day on the Wall, a night beneath the stars, or a three- to four-day escape. Find the style that suits your time and interests.
1-Day
Sunset & Sunrise Walks
Choose first light or a sunset walk, with time to enjoy the changing colors over the Wall.
Explore sunset walks →Explore sunrise walks →Signature Experience2-Day
2D/1N Hiking & Camping
Stay beyond the day visit, with an arranged campsite and a second morning outdoors.
Explore Great Wall camping tours →Shared departures
Group Hiking & Camping
Meet fellow travelers and compare shared hiking and overnight departures for your travel dates.
Explore group adventures →3-Day
3D/2N Hikes
Use a long weekend to explore several sections and the connections between them.
Explore 3-day great wall treks →4-Day
4D/3N Hikes
Choose four days of mountain walking, village stays or a coastal starting point.
Explore 4-day great wall treks →More days. More discovery.
FULL-ON EXTENDED TREKS
Spend five to twelve days exploring more of the Wall’s landscapes, historic defenses and nearby communities.
Start here · Find your trip ↗
Not sure which Great Wall hike is for you?
Tell us who’s going and we’ll point you to the right trip from our 60+ routes.
Your starting pointA classic first Great Wall hike
Gubeikou & Jinshanling
Walk from Gubeikou to Jinshanling for wide mountain views and distinctive watchtowers. Gubeikou is 100% original and unrestored; Jinshanling retains its original Wall, with repairs to preserve it.
Best for active first-time visitors. Expect uneven steps and uphill sections. Cirque du Soleil visited here in 2019.
Prefer a gentler visit? Explore private Mutianyu tours.Showing a recommendation for: See the Real Great Wall.
Our Great Wall camping experience, in print100 Nights of a Lifetime
The World’s Ultimate Adventures After Dark
Our Great Wall camping experience is featured in 100 Nights of a Lifetime, written by travel journalist and photographer Stephanie Vermillion and published by National Geographic.
Historic watchtowers, mountain silhouettes and the quiet anticipation of sunrise. Discover a different side of the Wall when you stay beyond the day visit.
Featured in The New York Times · 2013The Great Wall, Our Way
Jeannie Ralston recounts a two-day family hike with Great Wall Adventure Club, from Gubeikou through Jinshanling to Second Valley, with guide Joe Zhang and driver-supported luggage transfers.
Explore the NYT story → Original article ↗A quieter side of the Wall
Her account follows the Gubeikou–Jinshanling route, with old watchtowers, mountain scenery and few other hiking groups.
History brought to life
Guide Joe Zhang explains historic brickwork, watchtower design and the Wall’s defensive role along the way.
Sound judgment when weather changed
When thunderstorms threatened, the club replaced watchtower camping with a homestay. The author later concluded that not camping was the trip’s best decision.
Editorial summary of a historical travel feature, not a quotation or current endorsement. The original article may require a subscription.
Traveler testimonial
A journey worth remembering.
“They routinely went above and beyond the call of duty to make my trip smooth and unforgettable.”
Scott Hanson
American TV sportscaster · China traveler, July 2012 · Gubeikou & Jinshanling
In his account, Scott recalls attentive planning and Joe’s clear explanations, punctuality and knowledge of the route.
Read more traveler stories
Traveler reviews · TripadvisorGreat adventures. Lasting memories.
A family adventure to remember
Praised guide Louis for his knowledge, patience and care while leading a two-day trek with five children, including an overnight stay and meals.
Read reviews on Tripadvisor ↗Local knowledge that brings the Wall to life
Highlighted Oliver’s historical and geographic insight, remarkable unrestored sections, and a smooth three-day trip with no unexpected fees.
Read reviews on Tripadvisor ↗Quiet trails and thoughtful guiding
Recommended Barry for his kindness and knowledge, scenic sections with few other visitors, and excellent food along the route.
Read reviews on Tripadvisor ↗Selected review summaries, paraphrased from Tripadvisor. Rating and review count may change.
See all Tripadvisor reviews ↗
Travel Responsibly
Great Wall Care
The Great Wall is more than a remarkable monument. It is home to living communities, family traditions and landscapes that deserve our care.
Through Great Wall Care, we bring together mindful travel, local livelihoods and cultural exchange. From working with village guides and family-run guesthouses to respecting the trails we walk, thoughtful choices help sustain the places and people that make every journey meaningful.
MAKE AN IMPACTBeyond the Wall
Complete your China journey
Build around your Great Wall visit with Beijing sightseeing, a hotel stay or a private journey to another part of China.
Beijing Adventure
Make room for imperial sites, neighborhood walks and practical city transfers.
Explore beijing adventure →China Adventure
Link Beijing with other cities and landscapes through a privately planned itinerary.
Explore china adventure →Beijing Hotels & Special Rates
Compare convenient hotel locations, room arrangements and available rates.
Explore hotels →Tell us the trip you have in mind.
Tell us who is traveling, when you can visit and how you like to explore. We will suggest a workable route for your group.
