This was the main reason for me to visit Beijing, a bucket list thing I’ll say, walking on the Great Wall of China. The Great Wall is the world’s largest iconic monument and people say you can see it from space. The Great Wall is about 8850 km long and goes from east to west through 15 Chinese provinces.
Great Wall of China Back in the Days
On the Great Wall including the watchtowers, Ming Dynasty soldiers were stationed to watch the enemy, the Mongols coming. Next to this function as protection the Wall was also used as a highway for the troops including their horses and material but it is also a beacon tower in the area.
Great Wall of China Nowadays
Some parts of the Great Wall are restored and open for the tourists. The known place near Beijing is Badaling this place is safe and easy to walk, there is even a cable car to bring you up. It could get crowded and very touristic here I heard. But most of the Great Wall is unrestored, less easy to walk and at some points not very safe. It all depends on your preference of course what you like most. We went for the unrestored and authentic part of the Great Wall.
Where to walk the Great Wall of China?
We drove to the Village of Gubeikou, 125 km from Beijing and this took us ±2 hours, but that is off course all depending on your location in Beijing, traffic and time of the year. The roads are good and all well maintained. Went we arrived at the village; we parked at the designated car park. Next to the car park there is a public toilet, relative clean, perfect as last stop before walking the wall.
Choose a bright and sunny day to climb the walk, ok it could get hot but the view is stunning with clear skies!
You walk up the river next to all the stand and little houses. The scenery is already so overwhelming and beautiful. Then take a left up to the entrance of the North Gate where you have to buy a ticket to enter the park. I was lucky to witness a holy ceremony, all impressive. You can play with the drums that are welcoming you.
Ready to climb the Great Wall of China!! The track is clear walk over the wall, but there are several walls combined at some point, so not all too clear for us. But we managed to stay on the track. Must admit it was scary at some point, very steep unprotected walks on not very well paved paths. I’m afraid of heights so be careful and never go alone! To remind you this is the unrestored part of the great wall. This is authentic and not repaired or anything. I loved it better than the full Instagram restored version of the Wall, but that is my opinion.
Bring sufficient water and snacks with you, if you forgot you can buy some in town as well
The view is indescribable stunning, as far as you can see you see the wall the undulating in the distance. The photos won’t capture the whole view and feeling of the wide and open area you are in. All is breathtaking and realizing you are on a world wonder, part of the UNESCO World Heritage. You can’t imagine how much time an effort it took to build this wall. It is high, long and really well structured. Another breathtaking was the walk up, it literally took my breath away, meaning the walk was quite exhausting with the high temperature included.
Bring good hiking shoes with you on this hike, normal trainers will do on the restored but you need more grip on the unrestored parts of the Wall
After couple of hours on the wall, we walked back to the town of Gubeikou. The paths are highlighted with colored signs, but we missed one of the signs during our walk and ended up in farmland and local towns nearby. Not the same path as our way to the Wall. That didn’t mind at all, the route was even stunning and good to walk on the paths as well. I used my Maps.me app to guide us back to the car.
Download Maps.me the off-line Map in order to stay on the right track in case you get lost
On our way back, which we did not plan at all, we walked by a nearby Temple called Yaowangmiao. This was the cherry on the cake! A colorful temple with traditional paintings and artwork. You will see those in the Summer Palace as well.
On the way back a fell immediately asleep; jetlag, impressing and the workout. But I would not miss it for the world! Similar like my Machu Picchu experience!
Back you Beijing! Are you going to visit the Summer Palace next, another bucket list activity?!
