Self-guided challenging hiking from Simatai West to Gubeikou

Great Wall Hiking Adventure

If you want to challenge yourself and try a tough hiking in one day, this would be the perfect one! There are many ups and downs and some big steps. You have to be prepared for the lifetime hiking!

Gubeikou Great Wall

❮ ❯

See more photos

Pick you up at your Beijing hotel at 7am and drive 2.5 hours to Simatai West. A 40-minute walking up will lead you to East-Five-Eye watchtower at Simatai West (Jinshanling East). You may take a few breaths before reaching the Wall, and will be rewarded by the breathtaking panoramic view of this amazing human constructions. Once standing on the top of the Wall, you could see Simatai, Jinshanling and Gubeikou in a clear day, what a spectacular view! You will walk mainly on brick steps at Jinshanling section and some of them are big. This section of the Wall is very popular among keen photographers for its intact watchtowers, beacon towers and other solid constructions. The steps rise up and down constantly and scenery is changing at every watchtower. Take a short break and some photos here, you will then walk westward to Jinshanling. You will get through Shalingkou and Zhuanduokou and then off the Wall at Taochunkou. Walking on the hilly trail for some 1 hour and taking a break at the cottage at Jinshanling West Gate. Continuing the walking through jungles for half an hour, you will come back to the Wall again at 24-Eye Watchtower at Gubeikou. You could see the panoramic view of the Tiger Hill in a distance if weather permits. The rest of 1.5 hours’ walking on the Dragon Hill is relatively flat and easier. Our driver is waiting for you at the end of Gubeikou. You will drive 2.5 hours back to Beijing.