Take a walk on the wild side of the Great Wall...

Camping on the Great Wall

Imagine being able to say that you camped overnight on the Great Wall. That's exactly what this place is all about.

Just an hour or so outside of Beijing sits one of the more accessible wild parts of the Great Wall, and it is there that you'll find Chen's village - a gateway to camping on the Great Wall.

The hike:

Chen will drive you to the trailhead and then from there the hike is in two parts: one through the woods, one on the wall. Signal on the wall is spotty at best so make sure to let him know when you want him to pick you up in the morning.

• Hike about 30-40 minutes through the woods following the trail to the wall

• Climb the rudimentary ladder onto the wall.

• Turn right for another 20-40 minutes until you reach the pavilion with some turrets for shelter.

Tips:

• The hike is about 1-2 hours each way, with about 30 minutes uphill through the woods. It's recommended to wear long trousers for this part as there are occasionally snakes in the area.

• It is recommended to check the weather as it is extremely hot in the summer and the hike can get less than enjoyable..

• Make sure you carry enough water and any and all snacks you will want.

• Technically you can camp wherever, but the pavilion is probably the best place with flat ground and cover from the elements.

• There are some government facilities nearby so, if you are taking a drone, make your flights short and sweet.

• Make sure to take your trash with you.

Organising:

To set up your stay, add Chen on wechat (+86 1381 028 4682), and let him know Alex Feal mentioned it. From there, let him know when you plan to visit and done!

On arrival, Chen can help prepare some delicious local food to make sure you're full of energy before hitting the wall.

Getting there:

There are multilpe ways to get to Chen's village. Whichever way you choose, make sure to let Chen know so that he knows to expect you and where to pick you up from.

The associated costs can be chatted to him directly when discussing how to get there.

• By bus: Bus 919 Expres from Deshengmen to Yanqing Bus Station. (easiest and most reliable)

• By train: S2 train from Huangtudian toYanqing train station.

• Getting picked up: Chen can also come and pick you up either from within Beijing, or from a multitude of other spots around the city.