Description
Day 1: Challenge the Wild Ridge, Witness the Intertwining of Time —— Jiankou to Mutianyu
【Hiking Overview】
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Hiking Duration: Approx. 5 hours (Times are for reference only, subject to individual physical fitness)
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Hiking Distance: Approx. 10 km
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Hiking Difficulty: (High difficulty, requires strong physical fitness)
【Morning Itinerary: Explore the Primitive “Eagle Flies Facing Upward”】
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08:00 – 10:00: 【We Arrange】 The guide will pick you up at the hotel entrance on time. Then, drive for about 2 hours to Xizhazi Village in Huairou District, the starting point of the Jiankou Great Wall hike.
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10:00 – 11:30: 【We Arrange】 Depart from Xizhazi Village. This area preserves the most authentic suburban Beijing village scenery, where you can see villagers drying mountain products in front of their yards. We will climb upwards for about 1 hour to reach 【Zhengbei Tower】.
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【Architectural Highlights】: The Jiankou Great Wall was built during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty (1573-1620), using the local unique white marble as its foundation. Zhengbei Tower is the highest point of this section; not only can you overlook the wall shaped like a full bow, but you can also clearly observe the “ruin aesthetics” of naturally peeling bricks and stones that haven’t undergone modern restoration.
【Afternoon Itinerary: Crossing the Threshold of History】
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11:30 – 14:30: 【We Arrange】 Hike along the ridge crossing multiple watchtowers. This section is full of challenges, with crumbling brick walls and shrubs growing between cracks visible everywhere, requiring your full concentration.
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14:30 – 16:00: 【Landscape Contrast】 Cross the boundary into the 【Mutianyu Great Wall】. You will feel a strong contrast: the ground instantly changes from soft soil and gravel to smooth, sturdy Ming Dynasty blue bricks. Mutianyu is famous for its “double-sided battlements” and extremely high forest coverage, resembling a giant dragon crouching in the lush greenery.
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16:00 – 17:30: 【We Arrange】 Walk from Watchtower 23 down to Watchtower 10 to exit the wall. This section is relatively flat and perfect for capturing the sense of depth of the Great Wall. Afterward, descend and drive to Gubei Water Town.
【Dining Description】
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Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner: Meals on your own for today.
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【Food Recommendation】: Upon arrival at Gubei Water Town, you may choose to visit the “Shaorouguan” (located on Workshop Street) to taste the local signature “Miyun Roast Pork.” Stewed with secret spices and then deep-fried, the skin is crispy and the meat is tender. Average consumption is about 120 yuan.
【Accommodation Arrangements】
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【We Arrange】: Stay at a beautiful hotel inside Gubei Water Town.
Day 2: Stroll Through the Fortress Pass, Capture the Great Wall Curves —— Gubeikou to Jinshanling
【Hiking Overview】
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Hiking Duration: Approx. 4~5 hours (Times are for reference only)
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Hiking Distance: Approx. 10 km
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Hiking Difficulty: ***
【Morning Itinerary: Visit War of Resistance History Sites】
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08:00 – 08:30: 【We Arrange】 Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
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08:30 – 11:30: 【We Arrange】 Start the 【Gubeikou Great Wall】 hike. This was the strategic bottleneck for entering Beijing in ancient times.
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【Historical Background】: The Gubeikou Great Wall underwent multiple reinforcements during the Liao, Jin, Ming, and Qing dynasties. After about 2 hours of hiking, reach the 【24-Eye Window Tower】, named for its 24 arrow windows on four sides; the architectural style is rugged and practical.
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【Local Life】: You may choose to talk with road guards you encounter along the way and listen to stories of the flames of war at this section during the Anti-Japanese War.
【Afternoon Itinerary: Stunning Composition Across the Ridge】
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11:30 – 13:00: 【We Arrange】 To avoid the military restricted zone, we will take a detour path to Jinshanling. This section allows you to walk through quiet forests and feel the breath of nature.
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13:00 – 16:00: 【Photography Peak】 Enter the 【Jinshanling Great Wall】. This section was built under the supervision of the famous general Qi Jiguang.
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【Visual Highlight】: Arrive at the 【West Five-Eye Tower】, which is recognized as the best spot for photographing the “S-shaped” winding posture of the Jinshanling Great Wall.
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16:00 – 17:00: 【We Arrange】 Descend from Zhuanduokou and return to the hotel to rest.
【Dining Description】
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Breakfast: 【We Arrange】 Included.
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Lunch/Dinner: On your own.
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【Food Recommendation】: In the evening, you may choose to try “Qiaotou Gao” at the Water Town Great Wall Temple Fair Plaza. This is a traditional deep-fried dessert, crispy outside and tender inside, about 15 yuan per portion.
【Accommodation Arrangements】
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【We Arrange】: Continue to stay at the hotel inside Gubei Water Town.
Day 3: Savor the Three Architectural Wonders, Pay Tribute to Original Relics —— Jinshanling to Simatai
【Hiking Overview】
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Hiking Duration: Approx. 3 hours (Times are for reference only)
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Hiking Distance: Approx. 5 km
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Hiking Difficulty: *
【Morning Itinerary: In-depth Study of Architectural Details】
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08:00 – 08:30: 【We Arrange】 Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
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08:30 – 11:30: 【We Arrange】 Drive for about 30 minutes to arrive at Jinshanling Great Wall Zhuanduokou to start today’s itinerary.
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【Architectural Features】: Today focuses on visiting 【General’s Tower】 and 【Big Jinshan Tower】. Jinshanling is famous for the “Three Wonders: Horse-Blocking Walls, Inscribed Bricks, and Branch Walls.” Be sure to look at the bricks; some Inscribed Bricks with words like “Sixth Year of Wanli” are still clearly legible.
【Afternoon Itinerary: Explore the Strategic Dangers of the “Original Great Wall”】
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11:30 – 14:30: 【We Arrange】 Continue eastward into the 【Simatai Great Wall】. This was praised by UNESCO as the “Original Great Wall,” preserving the Ming Dynasty’s original appearance to the maximum extent.
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【Landscape Highlights】: Simatai is famous for its five characteristics: “danger, density, uniformity, ingenuity, and completeness.” You will climb to the 【East Five-Eye Tower】 to overlook the unique “single-faced wall” structure formed by the steep terrain, which is absolutely breathtaking.
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14:30 – 15:30: 【Grand Finale】 Descend from East Five-Eye Tower and drive back.
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【Follow-up Suggestions】: The journey ends here. You may choose to have us drop you back at the city center, or contact us to extend your itinerary to explore the Hutong culture in Beijing.
【Dining Description】
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Breakfast: 【We Arrange】 Included.
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Lunch/Dinner: On your own.
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【Local Specialty】: After ending the journey, you may choose to try “Wood-Fire Stewed Fish” in a farmhouse yard outside Jinshanling, using live fish from Miyun Reservoir, about 80-100 yuan per person.
【住宿安排】
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【We Arrange】: None (return after today’s itinerary ends).
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Badaling Great Wall / Mutianyu Great Wall — Practical Information
Tickets & Booking
- Badaling Great Wall night tour: Adult from about CNY 181 (OTA reference); advance booking required (Badaling official channels/OTA)[src]
- Mutianyu Great Wall adult ticket: Standard adult CNY 40 per person; postcard souvenir ticket CNY 45 per person; advance booking required (Real-name reservation via the Mutianyu Great Wall official website/official channels (book up to 30 days ahead; one ticket per ID per day))[src]
- Mutianyu Great Wall student/senior ticket: Half-price concession CNY 20 per person; postcard concession CNY 25 (Beijing-registered residents over 60, medical staff and others free of charge, but must call ahead to reserve and exchange tickets); advance booking required (Mutianyu Great Wall official website/official channels)[src]
Transport & Schedules
- Deshengmen → Badaling Great Wall | Bus 877: From Deshengmen take bus 877 direct (about 1–1.5 h); third-party timetables show outbound departures about 6:00–12:00 and return trips about 10:30–17:00, fares from CNY 12, with a discount f[src]
- Metro Line 13 Huoying station → Badaling Great Wall | Suburban railway Line S2 (Huangtudian station): Transfer at Huoying metro station to Line S2 (Huangtudian station) to Badaling station; third-party sources give a fare of about CNY 7, no advance booking, buy on site per departure (non-off[src]
- Dongzhimen → Mutianyu Great Wall | Bus 916 Express + H24: From Dongzhimen take 916 Express to Huairou North Avenue, then transfer to H24 to Mutianyu Great Wall; many stops, about 2.5–3 h (third-party guide).[src]
Where to Stay · Room Type · Nearby
- Yanqing district (at the foot of the Badaling Great Wall) | Reference price Characteristic guesthouses, reference several hundred CNY per night (OTA reference) | Room tip: View room/standard room | Nearby add-ons: Badaling Great Wall, Ancient Great Wall, Shuiguan Great Wall, Ming Tombs[src]
- Huairou district (at the foot of the Mutianyu Great Wall) | Reference price Scenic-area hotels/guesthouses, reference several hundred CNY per night (OTA reference) | Room tip: View room/standard room | Nearby add-ons: Mutianyu Great Wall, Yanqi Lake, Jiankou Great Wall[src]
Typical Climate & Packing (Past Years)
- January: -9.4–1.6 °C, Windy and freezing at the Great Wall passes; slippery when snow and
- February: -6.9–4.0 °C, Still cold; windproof and warm clothing needed
- March: -0.6–11.3 °C, Warming and windy; mountain flowers gradually bloom
- April: 7.2–19.9 °C, Cherry blossom and mountain flower season along the Great Wall; larg
- May: 13.2–26.4 °C, Pleasant climate; hiking the Great Wall is fairly comfortable
- June: 18.2–30.3 °C, Rainy season begins; watch for thunderstorms and slippery paths
