Great Wall of China with Bolton Hospice
With challenging hikes, panoramic views, and immersive cultural experiences can you imagine trekking this iconic landmark, all in the name of raising vital funds for Bolton Hospice?
We're now accepting bookings to do just that, on our 2027 Great Wall of China Trek!
Join a group of Bolton Hospice supporters on an iconic journey along one of the most extraordinary structures ever built, the Great Wall of China. This epic overseas challenge takes you along a remote and atmospheric stretch of the wall, far from the busy tourist areas, offering an unforgettable blend of adventure, culture, and history.
This trek is considered moderate to challenging and is best suited to participants with a good general level of fitness. The Great Wall is built across rolling hills, and many sections include long, steep staircases, some restored and even others uneven, broken, or worn down into rocky slopes by centuries of weathering.
You can expect to walk for 5–8 hours each day across a mix of steps, stone pathways, and natural hillside trails. The constant up-and-down climbing can be demanding, so preparation is essential.
What can I expect?
Day 1 (Tuesday 21 September 2027):
UK to Beijing
Fly to Beijing on an overnight flight.
Day 2 (Wednesday 22 September 2027):
Beijing
Arrive in Beijing and check into a central hotel in time for a group dinner and a briefing on the week ahead. If time permits, why not explore the maze of alleys (hutongs) where you will find traditional houses, small local shops and other wonders.
Meals: Dinner
Day 3 (Thursday 23 September 2027):
Beijing to Gubeikou
Today we transfer by bus to the Great Wall (approx. three hours). After lunch, we start our trek, winding our way uphill to reach an ancient and original section of the Great Wall, from where you will enjoy views of the wall stretching across the countryside. We descend next to the wall, then through a forest to a small town and to our first guesthouse at Gubeikou.
Trekking: Approx. 7.5km. Total ascent: 410 meters. 4-5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 (Friday 24 September 2027):
Gubeikou
This morning, we will transfer from our guesthouse to explore the Gubeikou section. This area is completely original, quite challenging and one of the lesser-visited sections. The wall here dates from the Ming Dynasty, and it is believed to have seen more battles than any other part of the Great Wall and has long been a place of military significance. The majority of the trek today is along a part of the wall which is almost completely worn away, and the terrain underfoot is rugged and uneven. We return to the guesthouse tonight.
Trekking: Approx. 9km. Total ascent: 370 meters. 6-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 (Saturday 25 September 2027):
Gubeikou to Jinshanling
We set off early today to transfer to the start of our trek. Today, we will trek up to a section of the wall known locally as the ‘dragon standing on the beautiful golden mountain’. It’s easy to see how the wall resembles a dragon as it weaves across the land. The views are stunning, and you will have hundreds of great photographic opportunities. Unlike other sections of the wall, this area has seen little restoration, and many of the stairs and turrets have crumbled away to leave steep stone slopes between each watch tower. We descend through forests and past farmland before transferring to our guesthouse in Jinshanling.
Trekking: Approx. 15.5km. Total ascent: 675 meters. 5-6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 (Sunday 26 September 2027):
Jinshanling to Simatai
Today’s trek takes us along a restored section of the wall originally built in the 15th century. In contrast to the unrestored sections of the previous days, you can see how the wall looked when it was built centuries ago. Here you will gain an appreciation of the incredible effort in building the wall and the meticulous attention to detail, tactical wisdom and subtle beauty in its construction. We descend through the forest and return to our guesthouse.
Trekking: Approx. 9km. Total ascent: 450 meters. 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7 (Monday 27 September 2027):
Simatai to Beijing
After breakfast, we head off for an exhilarating half-day climb below the summit of My Simatai, taking in two villages with stunning views of the hinterland along the way. Unlike other sections of the wall this area has seen very little restoration and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch, we drive back to Beijing (approx. 3-4 hours).
Trekking: Approx. 7.5km. Total ascent: 450 meters. 4-5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8 (Tuesday 28 September 2027):
Beijing
Today you will have guided visits to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square before some free time and a special farewell dinner tonight.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9 (Wednesday 29 September 2027):
Beijing to the UK
Transfer to the airport for the return flight to the UK, which may arrive the following day (Thursday 30 September 2027), depending on flight schedules.
Meals: Breakfast
N.B. This itinerary may change due to unusual weather patterns, the ability of the group, and so on. We will do our best to keep to the set itinerary however, we cannot be held responsible for changes that might occur outside of our control. In all such circumstances, your guide and tour leader will have the final say in the interest of the health and safety of the group.