Stepping out across the peaceful semi-ruin of a section of the Great Wall is like walking in the footsteps of the past. Far from the tourist crowds we are able to get a great sense of the scale and majesty of this remarkable piece of engineering without rushing through in a big group. We trek along various contrasting sections of the wall, both dilapidated and rebuilt stretches. The old portions have a romantic feel, but the new ones may look odd to people who are used to seeing their ancient monuments in a poor state, though since the wall was constructed over a 2000 year period, the new sections are just a continuation of that process. We will get closer to day-to-day life in rural China before returning to Beijing, a city steeped in history yet plunging headlong into modernity.

You will spend 3 nights in a well located comfortable hotel in Beijing and 5 nights in basic guesthouses whilst on trek.  Please be aware that accommodation options are limited on trek and the guesthouses are basic mountain accommodations but rooms are twin share and have en suite bathrooms. The bathrooms are equipped with Western toilets and there is hot water (although erratic and somewhat unreliable). It can get cold in the mountains and the guesthouses have no central heating but sleeping bags are not required as blankets are provided and the guesthouses usually have a few electric heaters, which are available upon request. There is electricity but there can occasionally be power cuts so a torch may come in handy.