Trek Itinerary

Here's an itinerary for the trip, which I wrote two days before departure, so my Mum could have some idea what I was doing on any given day. It's compiled from a few sources - mostly an itinerary issued early on, which then got revised, and some stuff from "Chinese Whispers", the trek's newsletter. It's not completely accurate to what happened, but it's pretty close - I may add comments later indicating where it deviates from the truth.

2001.11.04 Sun - Embarcation

Flight CA938 from London Heathrow (Terminal 3) to Beijing with Air China, 10 hour flight.

Out: 2001.11.04 Sun UTC:1400 Bjng:2200 Air China check-in, Term. 3, Heathrow 2001.11.04 Sun UTC:1730 Bjng:0130 Flight CA938 departs Heathrow 2001.11.05 Mon UTC:0320 Bjng:1120 Arrive Beijing (9 hrs 50 mins).

2001.11.05 Mon - Arrive Into Beijing

Arrive 11:20 local time. Then off to The Barracks at Huangyagguan.

The accomodation at Huangyagguan ("The Barracks") is basic but makes up for creature comforts with its traditional Chinese style and courtyards. It has a beautiful location in a mountainous setting with the wall towering from the heights on either side.

2001.11.06 Tue - Huangyagguan

From Huangyagguan we walk out through the nearby village and follow an uphill road through the countryside that will bring us to the start of the Great Wall. The walking is relaxed and enjoyable as we pass by small farms, that are ablaze with colour and activity as people harvest in their persimmon and corn crops. The wall here follows a narrow mountain ridge that gives spectacular views over the surrounding area and the scenery here is reminiscent of the classical Chinese landscape that is featured in artists paintings. Once the walk is over there is an opportunity to visit the local market or have a go on the 'Go Kart' track.

Approx 12 km five hours.

2001.11.07 Wed - Simatai to Jinshanling

We leave our accomodation at Huangyagguan and drive through the mountains to reach our longest days walk. Last year the walk was met at the start of their pre-walk at Simatai by bareback horseman, who quickly headed back to alert the village that visitors were on their way.

The walk from Simatai to Jinshanling is a spectacular one that is on original unreconstructed wall, with many steep, crumbling staircases and ruined watchtowers along the way. It is quite a demanding day but also a very rewarding one, particularly on a clear day when you look out over the best part of eighty miles of mountains, with Mongolia on one side and China on the other. There are very few visitors here so the sense of solitude is unrivalled. It does not take much for your imagination to take you back several centuries to when the wall was the frontline defence of Imperial China.

Approx 18km six hours.

2001.11.08 Thu - Mutianyu

Today we visit the Mutianyu section of the wall, where visiting Heads of State are usually brought. We will begin our walk through a stony valley that ascends to the unreconstructed Great Wall, which twists and winds its way along the mountains, interspersed with crumbling ruined watchtowers along the way. After walking for a few hours along the rugged overgrown path we reach the restored wall at Mutianyu which rises and falls above thickly wooded hillsides. On a clear day the wall is visible on the mountains all around. After walking along the various towers at Mutianyu, we will descend to the market area to meet our minibus.

Approx 15 km five hours.

2001.11.07 Fri - Huanghua

This section of the wall is approximately 1.5 hours drive from Beijing and situated between the Mutianyu and Jurongguan sections of the Great Wall.

There are no hawkers and you get a true feeling of being in one of the more remote areas of China. The wall is completely un-renovated and parts are completely overgrown with vegetation. The morning walk will be approximately 4 kms and will take 3 hours (average).

The walk starts at the base and we cross a dam - on the other side we take a path to the left, which takes us up on to the Wall past the first watchtower. The walk takes us continuously up past five watchtowers and we then come off the Wall through apricot fields down to a path which leads us through orchards back on to the main road again. Lunch and water pick up at the base. There are a few cafes and shops at the base, where people can sit and rest.

The afternoon walk will take around 2 hours and takes us up on to the other side. It is a steep walk up a trail which brings us to the first watchtower. Then there is a steep continuous climb up before descending through the valley through orchards to a village. We have around 30 minutes walk through the village before arriving back to the base again. This part is really interesting as we follow the course of a river and locals will come out and greet us as we go through.

In the afternoon parts of the Wall are really steep and we would highly recommend that walkers bring walking poles as there is nothing to hold on to as they descend. China Travel Agency are sorting out the possibility of overnighting at the hotel by a lake at the foot of the Wall. An ugly building but has good facilities and stunning views of the Wall.

2001.11.08 Sat - Jurongguan

This is a short by very vigourous walk that loops along the mountains either side of the pass. The wall here is all maintained and in good condition starting with a steep haul up a staircase of some 1600 steps that brings us to a top tower with views out over the distant city of Beijing.

The whole section was a circular fortress guarding the approach to Beijing. Totally reconstructed, it dominates the valley and from the very top you can see Beijing to one side and in the distance the famous section at Badaling. Unfortunately you will also see the worst of the modern day attack on the Great Wall with a hotel having been built right in the centre of this ring. In China, unlike in this country, there is currently no green belt designated around the Wall.

Aprrox. 10 km five hours.

2001.11.11 Sun

A day of leisure in Beijing for you to explore the many attractions of China's capital city, including the Forbidden City (I'll be doing this, proably not the others), the Temple of Heaven, Lama Temple or the many great shopping opportunities in the local markets. The evening is a great time to stroll around Tiananmen Square or take in a show of Chinese acrobats or opera.

2001.11.12 Mon

At leisure in Being or an optional excursion to the Lama Temple and Silk Alley. In the evening, you will be treated to a Beijing Duck banquet where we can celebrate your achievements.

2001.11.13 Tue

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Beijing Airport for the return flight CA938 on Air China, arriving at London Heathrow the same day.

Return: 2001.11.13 Tue UTC:0410 Bjng:1210 Flight CA937 departs Beijing 2001.11.13 Tue UTC:1500 Bjng:2300 Arrive Heathrow (10 hrs 50 mins).