China Highlights Express
The essential first-time itinerary: imperial Beijing, the Terracotta Army in Xi'an and futuristic Shanghai, linked by high-speed rail.
★★★★★4.9 218 reviews
From US$1,290 US$1,490/per person
Adventure · 6 days
Great Wall & Beyond
Walk the restored battlements of Mutianyu, then camp overnight on a wild, unrestored stretch of the wall at Jinshanling.
The short version
Great Wall & Beyond is a 6-day small-group tour covering three distinct sections of the wall — restored Mutianyu, semi-restored Jinshanling and a wild unrestored stretch where the group camps overnight. Beijing's imperial sights fill the remaining days. From US$890 per person.
- Three wall sections in six days, from fully restored to genuinely wild.
- One night camping on the wall itself, with tents and cooking provided.
- Groups capped at eight — no coach parties.
- Beijing highlights folded in around the walking days.
Day by day
Your day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
What's included and what isn't
Includes
- 5 nights including one on the wall
- All camping equipment
- Private transfers and a support vehicle
- English-speaking guide throughout
- All entrance fees and permits
Not included
- International flights
- Chinese visa
- Sleeping bag rental if you prefer your own
- Travel insurance with trekking cover
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View tourFrequently asked questions
How hard is the walking?
Moderate to challenging. Jinshanling involves steep, uneven steps over roughly 6 km with a daypack. You do not need mountaineering experience, but you do need to walk uphill for an hour at a time.
Is camping on the wall legal?
On the designated wild sections, permitted camping is arranged locally and we hold the permissions. You are never camping inside a protected heritage structure.
What if the weather turns?
The guide carries a fallback plan every day — usually a guesthouse near the wall and a shortened walk. Lightning on an exposed ridge is non-negotiable.
Can I do this without camping?
Yes. We run the same route with a guesthouse night instead, at the same price.
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Practical guides
- Do I Need a Visa for China? Requirements, Costs and How to Apply
- China's 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit: Who Qualifies and How It Works
- Paying in China: Alipay, WeChat Pay, Cards and Cash
- China's High-Speed Rail: How to Book, What It Costs, How Fast It Goes
- Is China Safe for Tourists? Honest Risks and How to Avoid Them
- Best Time to Visit China: Month by Month, Region by Region
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