Beijing Wild Great Wall

Courageous Onward
- Beijing Wild Great Wall Jiankou Hike

“Being deeply loved,
gives us strength；

While loving deeply
gives us courage...”

Length: 3 days 2 night
Location: Beijing

About the Retreat:

A weekend into the wildest section of the Great Wall, feel the pulse of what was happening as the final protection of that time of the heart of mainland China. Experience and imagine the life in the fierce environment while at the same time stunning nature, a great mixture of the master piece of both nature and mankind...

The Jiankou is a section of the Great Wall of China. It is located between the Mutianyu Great Wall- ten kilometers to the east and the Moshikou sections of the Great Wall of China. As one of the most famous and dangerous sections that were constructed in Ming Dynasty, Jiankou retains its original appearance since its construction, and it is an ideal place for adventurous and experienced hikers and photographers, what people can see appears on picture album and post card of the Great Wall frequently. It was constructed based on “The Ox Horn Edge Wall" mountain, it is translated as 'Arrow Nock' in English, because of the shape of the mountain is like an arrow, with the collapsed ridge opening as its arrow nock.

"Beijing owns the most beautiful part of the Great Wall, but you will not feel that unless you are standing on the top the Jiankou.’"Qi Jiguang said so, as a national hero on Chinese history, he also took charge on constructing Jiankou section when he was nominated as the Jinzhou Governor.

Itinerary

Day 1 “Beijing Culture”

Flight to Beijing ( Timing according to airline, will choose morning flights )

--:-- First pick up : School Campus ;
     Second pick up : Follow school set up address
   (a break after two hours drive in high-way service area)
Our lunch will be on the airplane
--:-- Pick from Beijing Airport and drive to our hotel in Beijing, check in
16:00 Visit Beijing Hutong,
     guided tour to explore and know better culture of ancient Beijing life
18:00 Dinner together in Beijing, taste Beijing Roast Duck:
     Chinese food and some soft drinks
19:30 Night street market in Beijing, feel free to explore
22:00 Good night in hotel

Day 2 “ Wild EARTH – Audacious Great Wall…”

Hiking endurance: 3/5（3 hours to hike up and reach the camping tower on the wild great wall, up around 200-400m）Technicity: 4/5
The hiking distance is not very long, it will be around 12km in two days. But we need to hike with heavy backpack and some times hike cross the side of great wall, will be steep and people afraid of height need to be careful.
Some part we will use rope support.
In general, everyone all can do it if you are in good health.

07:30 Breakfast together at the hotel and briefing of the day
08:30 Check out ready and Gathering at the lobby of the hotel for departure
11:00 Arrival at the village of Xizhazi in Huairou in Beijing
11:30 Simple lunch in local guest house : Chinese food : rice and vegetable, meat
12:30 Get ready of our backpack
13:00 Start the hike from mountain foot, and safety briefing
16:00 Arrive our camping area and you have time time to explore, set up tents
17:00 Dinner on camping site with simple cooking, we will bring stove and cooking set
           We will collecting wood for fire for tonight
18:30 Dinner together
21:30 Stretching and rest, stories of Beijing!

Day3   “ Wild ON…”

06:00 Wake up, sunrise on the great wall!
07:00 Simple breakfast, with some bread and tea, clean camping base
07:30 Continue our hike, cross the wild part of the great wall
10:30 Return to village
11:00 We will eat a lunch in the local village, then return to Beijing city
12:00 Departure to Beijing railway station
G147 15:30 - 21:45 Beijing south to Suzhou north
Dinner will be on the train with food provide by train, same as we go
22:00 Pick from railway station and back home

Some Local Experience/Workshops
(we will choose time during the days to conduct )

Basic Hiking Workshop

Basic hiking workshop covering:
How to dress hiking jackets,
How to walk with hiking poles,
How to start a hike,
What are the key prevention points during a hike.
Outdoor disciplines

Hiking Challenge I:

In Jiankou wild great wall, there are some parts very steep going up, after hundreds of years of corrosion, the stone stairs disappear.
Some hikers try to walk up with rope support, and there is still risk of hit by a small falling stone. The most safe way is to hike on the side to cross this part.

The side way walk has small path, one side will be a bit empty, but not totally like a cliff. Most of the people they can walk cross, with their backpack.

If you are very afraid of high, please consider this part.
Usually this first part we need to cross, the walk will take only 5-8min.
And there is another part to walk cross need 30 min cross in mud path, that part will be not like one side empty, just walk up and down a bit steep.

Hiking Challenge II:

As we mentioned, some part the stone stairs are very steep, and after repair, the new stairs are more stable but still steep.

Usually we will go with a rope support, and you can still walk down with step on narrow stairs one foot by one foot.

Or the other options will be rope support and walk down on the side way.

Hiking Challenge III:

After all, the whole hike distance will be around 12km for two days.
The location also attract hikers who like wild great wall to go.

Most of the people will be no problem for hike on it if you have no problem for carry your 60L hiking backpack (your sleeping bag, tent, mattress, personal belongs, water) to hike.

And you are not afraid of height.

Included:
-Transportation From & Back
-Outdoor insurance for three days
-All meals in the itinerary
-Camping equipment with tents, matress, sleeping bags, everyone’s gloves
-Hiking guides from local and with 2-3 carriers for common equipments
-Leader & organization

Not Included:
-Extra drinks not during meals, you can buy from local shop
-Bottle water every day 2 bottles per person provided ( but we encourage you bring refilling water bottle, responsible travel )

Accommodation:
-First night stay in Beijing 3-4 star hotel
-Second night camping on wild great wall, no bathroom, no toilets. All in wild. 2 people in one tent

Food:
All meals will be local Chinese dishes with meat and vegetables.
No worries if you are vegetarian, we will organize vegetable dishes.
If you have your special food requirement, please let us know before.

Equipment list
- Your passport original one
- Hiking shoes
- Hiking Jacket & Pants depends on season (we will inform weather before we go)
- Hiking sticks
- Quick dry sports gear
- Drinking bottle (no soft plastic, as often refill is with boiled water and it melts)
- Backpack to carry your things during the hike (60L) you will take sleeping bag, mattress, tent (two people can share one with your partner for carrying)
- Personal toiletries and towel
- Self eating bowl for put the food
- If you have your own camping equipment, welcome bring them
- Weather protection, according to the season, like hat, suncreen

Enjoy your vitality,
devote to the Present and experience nature with serenity…
See you soon!