Walk the Great Wall + Xian Extension

The trip starts today in Beijing, China's political and cultural centre. The city has been the capital for most of the period since Kublai Khan made it the capital of his mighty Asian Empire in the late 1200s. All clocks in this vast country are set by Beijing time despite the westernmost regions being some 5,000 km away. Your Leader plans to meet everyone in the hotel reception for a welcome meeting at 5 pm. For those that wish, there is the chance to go out together as a group for dinner afterwards. There are no other activities planned for today. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up the next morning. If you would like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into either Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) or Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) . Due to the frequent traffic congestion in the city you should allow up to one-and-a-half hours for this journey. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, perhaps you might choose to head out on foot and explore Beijing's central district with its many parks, temples and restaurants. Although Beijing is a massive city our hotel is centrally located within walking distance of Tiananmen Square (40 minutes) and the Temple of Heaven (15 mins).

Our trip begins today with a drive to the impressive expanse of Tiananmen Square, the heart of Beijing, covering some 40 hectares and enclosed on all sides by memorials to the past and present. After visiting the square we will cross to the magnificent Forbidden City, the one-time home of the Ming and the Manchu (Qing) emperors and a treasure trove of eastern wares. So named, because for 500 years it was off limits to all but a privileged few, the Forbidden City is the largest and best preserved collection of ancient buildings in China, covering an area of 720,000 square metres and containing an incredible array of some 800 buildings. After our visit the rest of the day is free to continue exploring as you wish, perhaps taking the opportunity to explore the alleyways or 'Hutongs' that make up the older and rapidly disappearing residential quarters of this fascinating city. This evening there may also be the opportunity to experience the unique atmosphere of a traditional Beijing Opera performance or acrobatic display (optional).

Leaving Beijing early this morning we drive for about 4 to 5 hours to Shanhaiguan. It is here that the Great Wall reaches the Bohai Sea at a point called Laolongtou or the 'Old Dragon's Head' - named after the legendary carved dragon's head that once faced the ocean. The city was a garrison town with a large square fort (which still exists) with huge gateways facing the four compass points. The east gate is an impressive structure known as 'First pass under Heaven'. It has these words inscribed at the top signifying the ancient Chinese perceived division of the world into 'civilised China' and the 'barbarians'. After visiting Old Dragon's Head we then drive to the First Pass where we have our first opportunity to walk on the Wall and visit the Great Wall Museum. Over the next 6 nights we stay in local guesthouses and hotels that we have given a comfort level of simple. The rooms are twin-bedded and en-suite but some service levels may be less efficient than you are used to, and electricity and plumbing can be erratic at times. Today's 4 kilometre/2.5 mile walk is expected to take around two-and-a-half hours.

On most mornings we plan an early start to make the most of each day, in rythm with local rural life. Today we walk out of town to join an old section of the wall to the impressive Jiaoshan Pass where it heads into the mountains for the first time. The walk returns the same way. A large visitor centre and car park is being built that intersects the Wall and we will need to navigate around. The fitter amongst the group may wish to continue up to a high point for spectacular views (weather permitting). We may encounter sections where the route passes gorse bushes and trousers are recommended. Terrain today is generally stable but we will encounter rocks, some concrete slops, a short vertical metal ladder and there are some large steps along the route that would challenge any dodgy knees. Please note that each year the Jiaoshan Pass is closed until 01 May due to fire concerns. Departures before 01 May will walk instead at the Jiumenkou section of the Wall and please note that this is shorter at around 2.5km/1.5miles long which should take around 2 hours and is a 40 minute drive away. This afternoon we take the drive to Sahe near Panjiakou reservoir where the wall now crosses beneath the waters. Today's 4.5 kilometre/2.8 mile walk is expected to take around two-and-a-half hours.

This morning we drive to Panjiakou reservoir where we take a boat excursion on the reservoir at Panjiakou. The surrounding scenery is stunning - with the Wall following undulating ridges across the rugged hills before plummeting into the water at two points, Panjiakou and Xifengkou. Joining our vehicle again we drive for about 1.5 hours to Luowenyou where we are able to walk for approximately 5 kilometres/3.1 miles on a rugged and quite steep section of the wall with glorious views across the surrounding area. On the ascent we will be scrambling at times and on the descending sections the terrain changes into more gravel covered surfaces and sometimes overgrown with trees. From Luowenyou we continue by bus (1.5hrs) to our hotel in the grounds of the Eastern Qing Tombs near Zunhua. Today's 8.5 kilometre/5.3 mile walk is expected to take around five to six hours.

Making a reasonably early start this morning, we hope to have this lovely site to ourselves. The Eastern Qing Tombs are the largest and most complete of the Imperial Tombs in China with 5 emperors, 15 empresses and 136 concubines all buried here. In addition the surrounding mountains contain the tombs of hundreds of lesser nobles such as princes and dukes. We are able to enter a few of the beautifully carved tombs which mostly date back to the 17th and 18th Centuries. That of Emperor Qianlong covers almost half a square kilometre. Leaving the tombs we drive to a point on the Great Wall where there is access, and walk for 2-3 hours into Huangyaguan. This section of the wall is more restored, with a generally stable, concrete terrain and some hand rails. It can be relatively quiet and offers some great views - the first part of the walk is an ascent up to a prominent tower before descending down to another tower near the river. From here we cross the river and walk into the town and our hotel for the night. Today's 3.5 kilometre/2.2 mile walk is expected to take around two to three hours.

This morning we drive for 2 hours from Huangyaguan to Gubeikou. From here we will walk up on to the wall along a mountain path. This section of the wall takes us past 16 beacon towers and we get to see a part of the wall in the distance that is restricted and not usually seen. We leave the wall at Jinshanling and head to the hotel where we spend the next 2 nights. Today's 10 kilometre/6.2 mile walk is expected to take around 5 to 6 hours.

Today we aim to walk on one of the most stunning sections of the Wall between Jinshanling and Simatai - both locations where the wall has been refurbished. The walk between these two places is on partially ruined sections, with some quite steep ascents and many steps to be climbed. In 2010 Simitai was closed to the public, so we'll walk as far as we're allowed towards Simitai before returning to Jinshaling. We pass 18 watch-towers on this walk - these provide the only shade along the route and give us an excuse to pause and admire the breath-taking views. Today's 6 kilometre/3.7 mile walk is expected to take around 5 hours.

Today we return to Beijing. We should arrive back into the city by early afternoon with late afternoon free for further personal exploration. You may wish to take an excursion to the Summer Palace or the Temple of Heaven in Tiantan Park (both optional). We take an overnight train from Beijing to Xian, berths are usually in 1st class 'soft sleeper' compartments for 4 which have 2 sets of bunks. Hot meals and snacks are usually sold to your berth on overnight journeys. In times of large demand we may have to travel in 2nd class 'hard sleeper' which consists of open plan carriages with blocks of 6 beds in 2 triple bunks leading off the corridor. WC and washbasins are provided for shared use at the end of each carriage and clean bedding is provided. We try to ensure the group of Xian Extension passengers is accommodated in the same carriage and compartments although this will not always be possible, therefore at times you will be sharing with fellow travellers of different nationalities. The Tour Leader will try to accommodate the group as best they can, keeping travel companions together, and will brief you before the journey. The majority of hotels in China offer check in from 12noon. On days where we will arrive on a sleeper train the Tour Leader will try and arrange an early check in for the group, however this may not be possible. The Xian extension is not accompanied by an Explore Leader. You will not be accompanied on the overnight train and on arrival in Xian you will be met by a local guide who accompanies all the included sightseeing activities and will be able to provide information on places to eat and optional activities.

You will be met on arrival this morning in Xian train station. Our stay in Xian reveals the extraordinary continuity of Chinese civilisation. Xian (Changan) served 11 dynasties and was the very starting point of the Silk Road between Central Asia and Europe. Its ancient monuments include, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (64 metres, a 7-storey high structure with a superb view over the city) and the Great Mosque, a wonderful 15th century working mosque within the old muslim Hui District, which we include in our sightseeing tour.

Today we visit one of the highlights of any trip to China - the magnificent Terracotta Warriors and Horses who guard the Qin Shi Huangdi Tomb. There are literally thousands of lifesize warriors, dating from 200BC. This dramatic find of the 1970s is considered one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the century. Late afternoon is free in Xian with the option to visit the extensive and impressive National (Shaanxi) Museum.

Our tour ends this morning after breakfast. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Xian at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from either Xian Xianyang International Airport (XIY). Due to the frequent traffic congestion in the city you should allow up to one hour for this journey.