• Take a longer hike along unrestored sections of the Great Wall away from the tourist hordes, admiring the views of winding mountain ranges and endless horizons.
• Discover local life near the Great Wall when staying at a family-run local guesthouse, sitting down to a delicious home-cooked meal each evening.
• Find your zen while learning kung fu from a local master. Learn the basic principles and common misconceptions of this martial art while being guided through moves and practices.
• Explore the Forbidden City and then cycle around Beijing on a bike tour that takes you through parks, temples and winding alleyways.
• Learn the ways of Chinese daily life and culture, stopping by for home-cooked meals with families during your adventure. There’s no better way to get under the skin of a place than speaking to those who call it home.

Day 1: Beijing

Nimen Hao! Welcome to China. The capital of the most populous country on earth, Beijing has quickly shed its historical face in favour of modernity. However, there are still plenty of places that give an insight into the nation's ancient past, as well as sights that showcase China's contemporary culture. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you’ll meet your tour guide and travel pals. If you arrive early, good for you! Settle into your hotel and then maybe head out to explore the Beijing streets – with your hotel located centrally, a walk in any direction will unveil all sorts of wonderful surprises.

Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)

Meals Included: There are no meals included on this day.

Special Information: It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

As this trip does not spend much time in Beijing, it is highly recommend arriving a few days earlier to make the most of your time here. If you would like to spend an extra couple of days in Beijing, we’ll be happy to book additional accommodation (subject to availability).

Day 2: Great Wall (Hiking)

This morning, make tracks for the first section of the Great Wall – Huanghuacheng (approximately 2 hours’ drive). An incredible piece of engineering, the wall stretches 6000 km (3730 miles) westwards from the mountain ridges north of Beijing. Originally constructed to protect empires from invaders from the north, it is still without a doubt one of the country's most remarkable achievements. Take your first steps along the renowned structure today at Huanghuacheng. This section features a unique part of the Great Wall submerged under water when a dam was built. Spend a couple of hours here hiking along the wall and have lunch in the nearby village before continuing to Gubeikou village tonight. You will stay at a family-run guesthouse for the next two nights. Tonight, learn the art of dumpling making with a demonstration from your hospitable hosts – the best part is tasting the fruits of your own labour!

Accommodation: Guesthouse (1 night)

Included Activities

• Great Wall - Dumpling making
• Great Wall - Huanghuacheng Section

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Special Information: Today's hike is around 4 kilometres, and is at an easy walking pace.

Day 3: Great Wall (Hiking)

Rise and shine early and trek from the Gubeikou to Jinshanling section of the Great Wall. You will walk over some steep, remote terrain for approximately 5-6 hours. Some parts of the wall have not been restored so you'll need to concentrate hard to keep your footing, while in other parts the trail takes you off the wall to walk alongside it through the countryside. You’ll often feel like you have the whole wall to yourself as you take your time, snaking through the hills almost endlessly into the distance. Being perched on this incredible engineering feat and surveying the spectacular surrounding countryside is an unforgettable experience. In the evening, put your feet up, have a few beers or maybe learn how to play mahjong at your guesthouse – a few of your travel crew will definitely be keen to play.

Accommodation: Guesthouse (1 night)

Included Activities

• Great Wall - Gubeikou to Jinshanling trek

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Special Information: This is one of the highest rated Great Wall trekking routes. Parts of the section of wall here are not well maintained and the trek can be challenging. You'll need good fitness and walking shoes with good support and grip for the walk – a walking pole may be handy as well. There are many steps and slopes (some very steep) on the way so be prepared for a tough climb in sections. The views make it more than worth the while though – this is a real highlight of the trip. You'll hike for about 13 kilometres today.

Day 4: Jinshanling Great Wall (Hiking) – Changping

This morning, drive back to your finish point yesterday to continue the trek along the Great Wall. This portion of Jinshanling winds through stark hills and mountain ridges. Steep stretches make parts of today's 3-hour trek challenging, but also largely without any of the tourist hordes. This stage is also known for its unusual Barrier Walls, or walls within the Wall, and inscribed watchtowers. Today will be your last day walking the Great Wall, so make the most of it. Once off the wall, you'll be transferred to Changping county to meet your master Shifu for kung fu tomorrow.

Accommodation: Guesthouse (1 night)

Included Activities

• Great Wall - Jinshanling section

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Special Information: You'll hike about 5 kilometres today. The accommodation tonight is twin share rooms with shared bathroom facilities.

Day 5: Changping (Kung Fu) – Beijing

Start the day with a lesson in kung fu. Learn basic principles, common misconceptions and how this ancient practice relates to Zen tradition as an expert instructor guides you through simple moves. Wrap up an enlightening morning with a vegetarian lunch, just like a Shaolin monk, then leave your meditative retreat to return to the vibrance chaos of Beijing later in the afternoon. Tonight is free for you do choose your own adventure. Perhaps you’d like to head to a kung fu show tonight to see if you recognise some of the moves, or why not head to Beijing’s Olympic Park to see it all lit up at night.

Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Miyun - Kung fu lesson

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6: Beijing (Cycling)

Get ready for a full day discovering Beijing! Transfer to the Forbidden City by public bus and spend some time exploring this magnificent palace complex. After exiting the Forbidden City, board another public bus and transfer to your bicycle pick-up point. Hop on your bike and follow your leader on a cycling tour through the parks, temples and hutongs (residential alleyways) of Beijing. Your guides have a rough itinerary in mind, but it has been kept flexible so you can see the most interesting sights along the way. For today’s lunch, you’ll join a local family in one of the hutongs for a traditional meal – it’s a perfect opportunity to learn about the daily life and culture of Beijing residents. After an active day, maybe head out with your new travel friends for an optional dinner to celebrate a great journey together.

Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Beijing - Forbidden City
• Beijing - Temple of Earth
• Beijing - Jingshan Park
• Beijing - bike tour

Meals Included: Lunch

Day 7: Beijing

Your trip ends after breakfast. There are no planned activities today and you are free to depart at any time before check out, which is usually around 12 pm. Depending on your onward journey, you can store your luggage at the hotel during the day.

Meals Included: There are no meals included on this day.

Special Information: Hotel check-out time is 12pm

This trip has active inclusions most days, so you will be expected to have reasonable fitness to be able to fully enjoy all the activities. While there is nothing technical and no specialised knowledge is required, previous experience in hiking and cycling will definitely help!

We will hike some original, unrestored sections of the Great Wall which are very steep and uneven and can be tough going for many. Good footwear and steady balance are a must.

As there is little free time or included activities in Beijing on this trip, we highly recommend booking to stay additional days to explore the city.

If you are keen to spend more time being active in China, check out our China: Hike, Bike & Kayak trip too – ask for more information.

Ask about our Comfort Experience Tours, including our Premium China tour. 

What makes a Premium Tour different?

• PREMIUM ACCOMMODATION: Our best accommodation and highest level of service.
• PREMIUM EXPERIENCES: Unusual, exceptional and authentic on-trip experiences.
• PREMIUM KNOWLEDGE: Led by our most experienced and highest rated local leaders.

Subject to availability, Premium Tours can also include:

• Arrival airport transfer
• Tipping for accommodation, activities and transport
• Luggage transfer
• Daily breakfast and signature local meal experiences
• 24/7 on-ground support

Ask us for more information: call 021 4277094, email info@shandontravel.ie, or fill out the enquiry form below.

Price is per person, based on 2 sharing,  and includes:

• China: 7 day Great Wall Hike, Bike & Kung Fu Tour
• Meals: 3 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners
• Transport: Private vehicle
• Accommodation: Hotel (3 nights), Guesthouse (3 nights)
• Included activities:
  • Great Wall - Dumpling making
  • Great Wall - Huanghuacheng Section
  • Great Wall - Gubeikou to Jinshanling trek
  • Great Wall - Jinshanling section
  • Miyun - Kung fu lesson
  • Beijing - Forbidden City
  • Beijing - Temple of Earth
  • Beijing - Jingshan Park
  • Beijing - bike tour

• Flights- we'll find the best fare for your chosen departure airport and date
• Single rooms available at a supplement (where available)
• Travel insurance

Subject to availability. Terms & conditions apply.

For more information please call us on 021 427 7094 or 01 696 5135, email info@shandontravel.ie, request a call back using the red button, or submit an enquiry through the form below.