“Broken-down sections first attract tourists off the beaten track, then the inevitable hawkers, then the renovators and safety consultants who often strip away much of the historical charm along with the dangers.”
From: An Armchair Traveller’s History of Beijing, by Jonathan Clements
As soon as I decided that our four-week journey in China would be around Beijing and the northeastern part of the country, I knew that hiking the Great Wall was going to be on our list.
In fact, initially, I researched whether it would be possible to thru-hike the Great Wall (or a part of it), however, today no such hike exists. I found only expensive ways of visiting the Great Wall and the idea of hiking it faded into the background.
Wasn’t that a pity?
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The Great Wall in China
Imagine more than 13,000 miles of rocks and bricks and stones meandering through valleys and deserts, along rivers, across mountain ridges, and closing off gullies and gorges. Such an awe-inspiring feat of engineering! Built in stages by different dynasties over the course of some 2,000 years, the Long Wall, as the Chinese call the Great Wall (长城 – Chángchéng), this ancient defensive structure runs through nine provinces and municipalities in northern China.
In the 7th century BC, the Zhou Dynasty had the first section built to prevent invasion from other states. The last – and most – sections were built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) after they had kicked out the Mongols who had invaded the country under Kublai Khan.
Read More: Signboards in China – The Funniest Translations
Standing on the Great Wall is a beautiful and terrifying experience. It still has the same effect on modern visitors that it was designed to have on the Mongols.
Stretching away as far as the eye can see, across mountains and valleys until it peters out on the horizon, only to lurch back into view again as it rings a strategic site a few miles further over, the Great Wall still sends a message to any who see it.
This is what China can do, it says. Not just to you, but to ourselves – not for nothing did earlier defensive projects gain the wall the nickname of ‘the Longest Cemetery’.
The Great Wall is a testament to the millions that died to build it, and a symbol of fortress China. (from: An Armchair Traveller’s History of Beijing)
Who wouldn’t want to walk on such a wall and to see it for oneself?!
Visiting the Great Wall – Where to Go?
One third of the 5,500-mile Ming Great Wall has disappeared without a trace whereas other sections have been restored. The Great Wall became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Badaling is the most famous and visited section. If you like crowds, this is the place to go where during peak season you can hike the wall with 70,000 other daily visitors.
Clearly this was not for us so we were more than thrilled when our hosts in Beijing told us about a practically unrestored section about two hours north of where they live. It took little time to come up with a plan. While Mike, unfortunately, couldn’t join us, Marcella could and so, together with her colleague/friend Josie, the four of us took a taxi to the remote village of Chenjiapu.
Read More: Northeast China Travel Guide – Why Visit, Where to Go & How to Travel
Hiking the Great Wall
With drinking water and some snacks for lunch we hiked out of the village into the mountains. The Great Wall was clearly visible on our left, towering above the green forested slopes. Built of cut stone blocks and bricks bound with glutinous rice flour, the wall consists of battlements, crenels and parapet walls with watchtowers flanking every 500 meters or so.
Large brown panels indicate trails that lead on and off the wall. We started with a 4-hour section that later on we prolonged with a 3-hour section (although the total only took us 5,5 hours). The 40-minute hike to the start of the trail was a good warming up before we began the serious clambering to get up the mountain slope, bushwhacking our way through thick vegetation over loose rocks, sand, and stones.
Read More: Harbin City Travel Guide (NE China)
All around us we took in fabulous views of forested mountain hills and, later on, a lake and urban areas. Parts of the wall have been restored while other sections have crumbled away and are largely overgrown with weed and an astonishing variety of flowers.
The sky blue, the air blissfully clear of air pollution, and the temperatures the best you can have for a hike. Being on 1070 meters at the beginning of September, our days here were pleasantly warm while in the evenings the temperatures cooled down considerably.
We had the world to ourselves; the world silent except for birdsong, the rustling of leaves and our chatter. For hours we were simply in awe of being here as we walked in solitude across this mind-blowing, centuries-old behemoth.
At times I had to pinch myself and look around me to make sure I wasn’t dreaming; we were actually hiking the Great Wall.
What a privilege!
Thru-Hiking the Great Wall?
Two years ago Coen and I ‘discovered’ the joy of long-distance hiking on the Baekdu-daegan Trail in South Korea. Last winter we hiked the 650 Jordan Trail and we have plans for yet another thru-hike this winter as well.
We are not the only ones – long-distance hiking is clearly growing in popularity throughout the world.
Wouldn’t it be awesome to thru-hike the Great Wall one day?
Travel Guides for China
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Read More: (Thru-)Hiking the Baekdu-daegan Mountain Ridge
Practical Information on Great Wall Hike
We stayed at Great Wall Fresh, a simple guesthouse in the village of Chenjiapu. One of the family members speaks English. Apart from accommodation, they offer lunch and dinner made with fresh produce from their vegetable garden and for an additional fee they lit a bonfire.
Charles River Editors have concise and interesting reads about famous landmarks and historic events, including one about the Great Wall. Check it out. The Great Wall of China: The History of China’s Most Famous Landmark.
One Last Tip: VPN
We have used VPN Unlimited for a few years now and it has been a great way to add overall safety when you depend on local WiFi. Not only will it allow you in China to access Google or your favorite social media, but it will also help you get cheaper airline tickets as well.
This this little cool video that will explain the benefits, especially if you travel to China.
Make sure you installed your VPN before you arrive in China.
If you are looking for a VPN with great service, we recommend VPN Unlimited. You will be allowed to activate up to 5 devices.
Check it out and take it for a spin. VPN Unlimited is cross-platform and offers a 10-day trial for free.
Check it out: the Landcruising Adventure T-shirt Collection
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Nice! Hate hiking around other people, especially 70,000 of them!
Will have to remember to check out this hidden section when we get out that way. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome.
I love the pics of the wall sections with plants growing all over them! I hiked a different, also fairly remote section of the wall, in winter. What an experience!
These images are fabulous. I cannot even envision 13,000 miles. Boggles the mind. Eye-popping. Most definitely on my list of places to experience. Rocking post.