4Ux All Camping Hike links Huangyaguan, Jinshanling, Gubeikou, Jiankou, Mutianyu, Huanghuacheng, Xishuiyu. The program balances walking, transfers, meals and overnight arrangements across a longer section of the Wall.
Summary
4Ux All Camping Hike links Huangyaguan, Jinshanling, Gubeikou, Jiankou, Mutianyu, Huanghuacheng, Xishuiyu. The program balances walking, transfers, meals and overnight arrangements across a longer section of the Wall.
Route map
Route illustration. Your guide will confirm the final trail, access and travel times before departure.
Brief itinerary
Day 1 · Beijing-Huanghuacheng-Xishuiyu
Day 2 · Jiankou Trekking and Crossing over to Mutianyu
Day 3 · Gubeikou-Jinshanling-West Simatai
Day 4 · Peace Fort-Huangyaguan-Sky Ladder-Sanjiebei
Detailed itinerary
Day-by-day route details from our original tour program. Confirm the departure time, walking distance, meals, lodging and permitted campsite in your booking proposal; these may change with access and weather.
Day 1 · Beijing-Huanghuacheng-Xishuiyu
Huanghuacheng is the only section that sits beside the lakes, so it is called Lakeside Great Wall. Since the lake breaks this section of the Great Wall into three segments naturally, its uniqueness might surprise you.
The Huanghuacheng Reservoir lies here, shaped like a curved moon. The highest point of the wall is a broken watchtower, and from there you will have a wide panoramic view of the whole valley. From this summit the Wall dives steeply downwards into the valley. Today’s hike is quite special-part of the wall is under water! In 1974 China built the Xishuiyu Reservoir, and when the water level rose, some low-lying sections of the wall were submerged under water. Seen from the dam of the reservoir, this stately sunken wall is still visible under the water’s smooth and glimmering surface.
Tonight, we will camp on the Great Wall in an ancient watchtower.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Camping on the Wall
Day 2 · Jiankou Trekking and Crossing over to Mutianyu
Jiankou is translated as 'Arrow Nock' in English, for the shape of the mountain is like an arrow, with the collapsed ridge opening as its arrow nock. The Jiankou section is known for its ruggedness and wild beauty, and you will be in awe of the marvelous views it affords. As soon as we reach Jiankou we will see a deserted watchtower that gives you a panoramic view of the entire valley. In the early morning the view is priceless with its morning fog. This section of the wall is not well known by tourists, although if you see a picture of the Great Wall from exotic traveling magazines, chances are it is from Jiankou. This is the pinnacle of exotic Great Wall scenery.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Camp inside an ancient tower
Day 3 · Gubeikou-Jinshanling-West Simatai
Today, our goal is to complete the hike from Gubeikou to Jinshanling and to West Simatai. This is a very classic intensive hiking on the Great Wall enjoyed by many people, but only offered by the Great Wall Adventure Club.
The section of Gubeikou was a battlefield in the modern World War II. Gubeikou Great Wall occupies a strategically important location, which is difficult to access. 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. The Simatai Great Wall is separated into eastern and western halves by a valley, with a rainbow-like chain bridge over the valley.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Camp inside an ancient tower
Day 4 · Peace Fort-Huangyaguan-Sky Ladder-Sanjiebei
Today we'll start with Peace Fort (Taipingzhai) that starts from Banlagang Mountain in the east and arriving at Guafu Tower (Widow Tower) in the west. There are six watch towers, one battlement, and one shortcut leading to the wall.
Waking westward, we will get to the steepest segment of this section, the Huangya Sky Ladder. Stretching to the top of the ridge, this long stairway seemingly leads to the sky. Climbing over the ladder, we will reach the primitive Great Wall built in the Northern Qi Dynasty, marking the end of the Huangyaguan section.
Today is the last day of this iron-man 4UX adventure.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
What we confirm
Meeting point and departure window
Admissions, tickets and local transport
Guide language, meals and accommodation
Walking level, luggage and weather plan
Return point or onward connection
Before you proceed
Share the relevant dates, group size and priorities. We will provide the current details in writing and identify anything that must be booked separately or may change with access, schedules or local conditions.
Original Great Wall stonework and watchtowers — from the Great Wall Adventure Club source site.
What makes this experience different
More than a viewpoint
Walk tower to tower and understand how the Wall follows the natural defense line.
A route for your pace
We distinguish gentler restored paths from demanding unrestored ridges before you choose.
Local route knowledge
Entrances, exits, seasonal conditions and transfer logistics are checked for your date.
TerrainStone steps, ridges and uneven historic paths
Best seasonsSpring and autumn; summer and winter need extra planning
BringGrippy footwear, water, layers and sun protection
Designed around real travelers
Every departure is matched to the group’s dates, ages, interests, walking experience and preferred comfort level. Tell us what matters most—quiet trails, photography, history, a physical challenge, family time or a broader China itinerary—and we will explain the most practical options without hiding the tradeoffs.
Questions worth asking before booking
How much time is spent walking, driving and stopping?
Which parts of the route are restored, unrestored, steep or exposed?
What is included, and what should we carry or arrange ourselves?
What changes if weather, access rules or transport schedules affect the plan?
Keep exploring
Compare more multi-day treks or talk to us about a custom route.
