China: Adventure to the Great Wall 2027

The Great Wall of China is one of the most iconic and enduring symbols of Chinese history, culture, and ingenuity. Its origins can be traced back over 2,000 years to the 7th century BC, when early walls were built by rival kingdoms to defend against northern invasions. These fragmented walls were later unified and expanded, most famously during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), when the structure we recognise today took shape. The Ming emperors rebuilt and reinforced the Wall to protect China from Mongol and other nomadic incursions, creating an extensive defence system that included watchtowers, signal beacons, garrison stations, and stone fortresses.

At its greatest extent, the Great Wall stretched over 21,000 kilometres across mountains, deserts, plains, and plateaus, using the natural landscape to enhance its defences. Built using local materials like tamped earth, stone, and bricks, the Wall was not a single continuous barrier, but a network of fortifications tailored to the terrain.

Beyond its military function, the Wall became a symbol of China’s unity, strength, and resilience. Though large portions have eroded or collapsed, many key sections have been preserved or restored. Today, the Great Wall is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and remains a powerful reminder of China’s rich and complex past.

The trek is accompanied by local English-speaking guides who have an excellent knowledge of trekking in the region. The guides are first aid trained and will support you throughout your journey. You will also be supported by an excellent team of support guides during the trek, drivers for the journeys made during the trek and a Different Travel Company UK tour manager.

The terrain on this trek is varied, rugged, and at times physically demanding. You’ll encounter a mix of restored and unrestored sections of the Great Wall, each offering a different experience underfoot. The unrestored areas, such as Gubeikou and parts of Jinshanling, are particularly wild and atmospheric, featuring crumbling stonework, broken steps, loose gravel, and narrow ridgelines with drops to the side. These sections often require careful footing and may involve light scrambling. In contrast, the restored areas, such as Simatai, offer more stable stone paths and reconstructed steps, though these can still be steep and taxing on the legs.

Beyond the Wall itself, you’ll also trek along forest trails and farmland tracks, which may be uneven, muddy, or rocky depending on the weather. Ascents and descents between the villages and the wall are a daily feature, and some paths are steep and winding with limited shade.

In October, the climate along the Great Wall of China is typically mild and dry, making it one of the best times of year for trekking. Daytime temperatures usually range from 15°C to 22°C, while night-time temperatures can drop to around 5°C to 10°C, especially in the more rural areas.

You can expect clear skies and low humidity, which means excellent visibility and comfortable conditions for walking. The chance of rain is relatively low, though short showers are still possible, so it’s important to be prepared with lightweight waterproof gear. The cooler temperatures make the physical effort of trekking more manageable, but mornings and evenings can feel crisp, particularly in exposed locations.

October is also the start of the autumn foliage season, so the landscapes are often vibrant with shades of red, orange, and gold, adding to the stunning scenery along the Wall.

Please note: the temperatures and conditions above are historically accurate however, climate change impacts the seasons so you may experience uncharacteristic conditions which are out of our control. Should this happen the guide will assess the situation and make decisions to ensure the best enjoyment and ultimate safety of the group.

Throughout the trip, you’ll enjoy a variety of authentic Chinese meals, offering a delicious insight into regional cuisine. Meals are typically freshly prepared, served family-style, and feature a mix of meat, vegetable, and rice or noodle dishes. Expect dishes such as stir-fried vegetables, dumplings, braised meats, tofu, fried rice, and hearty soups.

During the trek, breakfasts are usually simple and filling, with items like boiled eggs, noodles, and rice. Packed or local lunches are provided each day on the trail, offering nutritious and energy-boosting meals to keep you going during long walks. Dinners are more substantial and served at guesthouses or local restaurants, where you’ll often be treated to multiple shared plates that cater to a range of tastes.

While dietary options can be catered for, variety can be more limited in remote areas, so it’s important to advise dietary requirements in advance. Snacks aren’t typically provided, so bringing your own is recommended. Overall, the food is flavourful, wholesome, and rooted in local tradition, giving you the chance to refuel and experience Chinese hospitality at its most genuine.

Accommodation on this trip is a mix of comfortable 3-star hotels and traditional local guesthouses, offering a balance of convenience, cultural immersion, and rest after each day’s trekking.

You’ll begin and end your journey in Beijing, staying in a 3-star hotel, with en-suite rooms and modern amenities, an ideal base for exploring the city and recovering from your flight.

During the trek itself, you’ll stay in simple but welcoming guesthouses located close to the Great Wall in Gubeikou and Jinshanling. These guesthouses are locally owned, giving you an authentic experience of rural Chinese hospitality. Rooms are usually twin-share with basic en-suite facilities, though standards may vary slightly depending on location. While amenities are modest, the accommodation is clean and comfortable, and the hosts are friendly and accommodating.

These overnight stays in smaller, quieter villages also allow you to experience daily life away from the tourist trail, with scenic surroundings, home-cooked meals, and a more personal atmosphere. While you won’t be in luxury lodgings, the accommodation is perfectly suited for a trekking adventure, functional, restful, and culturally enriching.

The hotels and guesthouses used during the trip have en-suite facilities with flushing toilets and hot showers. Please note that toilet paper should always be disposed of in the bin provided, not flushed.

Towels are provided, but toiletries may not be. You will need to bring toilet paper for use while out on the trek. Public toilets along the route rarely provide toilet paper.

It’s important to carry a small bag to put any toilet paper you use during the day, so it can be disposed of properly back at the guesthouse. Under no circumstances should toilet paper, fruit peel, nut shells, or any other litter be left on the trek. For general hygiene, we recommend bringing a small pack of baby wipes and hand sanitiser to use after toilet visits and before eating.

You must be 18+ to join this trek. It may be possible for you to participate if you are 16 or 17 years old if accompanied by a parent or guardian. There is no upper age limit.

An ideal candidate for the trek would be someone who enjoys being out of their comfort zone and trying something new. Adventure travel involves an element of the unexpected so do not expect standards to be the same as you are used to at home. Remote areas are sometimes unpredictable (be it because of group pace, weather conditions, local bureaucracy or other factors) and itineraries may be altered to allow for this.

For you to get the most out of your challenge it is important that you are flexible, positive and eager to take on all the challenges that arise. Suitable fitness preparation before departure forms part of this.

To take part in this trek, you’ll need to have a good level of physical fitness and be comfortable walking for several hours a day over multiple consecutive days. The route includes daily hikes ranging from 4 to 15.5km, with up to 6–7 hours of walking per day and ascents of up to 675m. The terrain is varied and can be steep, uneven, and physically demanding, particularly on the unrestored sections of the Great Wall, where you may need to scramble or navigate narrow ridgelines.

You don’t need to be an elite athlete, but you should be able to manage sustained uphill walking, handle descents over rough ground, and recover well overnight to do it again the next day. Regular hill walking, hiking, or cardio training in the weeks leading up to the trip will make a big difference to your comfort and enjoyment.

If you have any existing medical conditions or injuries, it’s essential to consult your GP before booking. With the right preparation and a positive mindset, this trip is entirely achievable — and hugely rewarding, for most people with a good base level of fitness.

This trek is physically and mentally challenging, but entirely achievable with preparation and determination. The toughness lies not in high altitude or extreme weather, but in the sustained daily effort across uneven, steep, and at times crumbling terrain.

You’ll be walking for up to 6–7 hours a day, often over rugged sections of the Great Wall that involve long climbs, steep descents, and loose stone underfoot. Some paths are narrow with drops to the side, and you may need to scramble in parts. The lack of rest days, basic guesthouse accommodation, and limited facilities adds to the challenge.

Mentally, the trek can be tough, especially on tired legs or when dealing with repetitive climbs and descents. But the rewards are huge: stunning views, a deep sense of history, and the satisfaction of completing a route that few others will ever experience in such depth.

Some sections that you will walk along are almost completely worn away, may be narrow and/or have a drop to the side. If you have a fear of heights, this may represent an additional challenge, but local guides will be on hand to offer assistance to ensure that you traverse these areas safely

With the right training, attitude, and kit, the challenge becomes part of the adventure, and a key reason why this journey is so memorable and fulfilling.

Visit here to find the kit list relevant to this trip.