Any sightseeing or adventure trip to China is definitely incomplete without taking some time to explore the Great Wall of China. This massive landmark which stretches for 6000 kilometres along where the northern border of the Empire of China used to be was added to and repaired by various imperial regimes after it was first built by the Emperor Qin Shi Huan Di, more than 2200 years ago. The sheer size of this monumental structure has given rise to some interesting pastimes to the tourists who experience this awe inspiring piece of ancient history; namely Great Wall Hiking tours that take you exploring along this majestic edifice, if your feet arent objecting.
Along the Great Wall, you can find several stretches that are favourites for hiking tours as some sections of the Great Wall offer a more interesting experience than other areas. It will become evident that the Great Wall of China wasnt merely a massive wall but a well designed security bulwark which had strong fortifications along with many other buildings.
Depending on where you hike, it is possible to come across interesting ruins and monuments that belong to the complex construction that is the Great Wall, such as guard rooms that were manned by Imperial sentries, ruins of beacon towers which were poised to light their fires at the first sight of an invading force, and sometimes even the remains of garrisons citadels as well.
Since the capital city Beijing is a popular tourist destination, its fairly easy to get a tour organized with transport to the Great Wall. While youre there you can either choose a full day hike, or go spend some time camping near the Great Wall well if you want to take in more of this massive monument and its breathtaking landscape. Once section of the wall closest to the capital can be seen at Gubeikou, where the Great Wall spans between two mountain passes. While hiking along this section, its possible to come across many ruins of important guard houses and citadels, such as the Wangjing Tower. Since the Gubeikou section stretches for 25 miles, it will take more than a day to explore this strategic hotspot, where many battles of old was won and lost. Then again, Gubeikou is only a start as you will find when you visit the Great Wall, as there are many more sections of this amazing structure that is worth the trek.
Finding some good accommodation in the capital, like at a
luxury hotel Beijing is home to makes it easier to travel to the Wall at your leisure. Any great
hotel in Beijing, such as the Raffles Beijing Hotel, China has great deals; assuredly the best you can ask when you are planning to go exploring the Great Wall of China.
Great Wall Hiking Exploring A Fortified History