The Great Wall of China Hike 2016 – A Chinese Winter’s Tale 初冬的足迹

The Great Wall is a masterpiece construction of ancient China. The stone and earthen fortifications in northern China were built originally to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire against intrusions by various nomadic groups. The wall stretches for 8,800km and spans 17 Chinese provinces.  Listed as a World Heritage by UNESCO in 1987 – the Great Wall like a gigantic dragon, winds up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus, stretching approximately 8,851.8 kilometres (5,500 miles) from east to west of China. With a history of more than 2000 years, it is one of the most appealing attractions all around the world owing to its architectural grandeur and historical significance – WorldHeritageSite.
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Brave new frontiers as we continue our Great Wall hike series on the wild side of the Wall. Go on a breathtaking journey of the Great Wall of China. With every footstep, you’ll encounter centuries of history as you explore of the wonders China has to offer! Don’t miss our Season 3 hike under early winter conditions when the snowfall is still moderately light, and the weather is cool (day time). Be prepared for magnificent photo opportunities!

The Great Wall of China hike series (Previous seasons)

Sep 2014 – Autumn Moon Over the Yellow Mountains “黄花秋月“ (See video by TravelledPaths)
Sep 2015 – The Golden Autumn Adventures 金秋漫步 (See video by Ian Chan)

A Chinese Winter’s Tale 初冬的足迹 Itinerary
12 to 18 Nov 2016
Day 1 – Arrival in Beijing
Day 2 – Beijing- Eastern Qing Tomb – Huangyaguan Village
Day 3 – Gubeiko to Jinshanling
Day 4 – Beijing Water Town to Simatai Great Wall
Day 5 – Jiankou – The Nine Floors
Day 6 – Jiankou – Mutianyu
Day 7 – Beijing City tour (free and easy) / Return to Singapore
Daily estimated hike distance – 10 to 12km, 4 to 5 hours
(hiking itinerary subject to change)

Cost 5 days Great Wall of China hike – $730sgd
Hotel for 12 and 18 Nov (based on twin sharing) – $80sgd
Total cost: $810 sgd (excl flights)

Included
– Lodging Overnight  (Guesthouse 2 to 3 to a room)
– Trekking English tour guide
– Drinks and Meals during hike
– Transportation
– Hotel Accomodation for Day 1 and Day 6 in Beijing

Excluded
– International airfare (please see below)
– Visa fees (important! pls check if applicable)
– Guide & driver gratuity
– Travel insurance
– Personal expenses
– City tour approximately 50USD – Forbidden Palace, Tianamen, Summer Palace (optional and depending on time)

FAQs

1.  What are we carrying during the hike?
Just your day pack with rain gear, extra shirt and water bottle. Other stuff are optional.

2.  Who can participate in this event?
There will be walking, climbing and descending over varied terrain. The elevation is about 1000 meters and the length ranges from 10 to 15 km. Some roads/trails can be a little rough. The hiking time is usually somewhere between 4 and 6 hours. People with acrophobia shouldn’t join these kinds of hikes.

3.  Do I have to follow your flight booking?
It will be ideal if we are travelling together but if you can confirm your own flight and show us that you will be in Beijing on 12 Nov at our said hotel location, that will be good enough for me. You may arrange for your own extension of the trip.

4.  What about Hotel accommodation?
The $80sgd price stated includes twin sharing arrangement for 12 and 17. Transfer from airport to hotel is provided ONLY if you are travelling with the main party.  This will also be the pick up location for the beginning of the Great Wall hike. Please note that we will be staying at different guesthouses every night.

Others
Event host will provide First aid box with basic medication such as: plasters, bandages, Panadol, iodine, anti-rash etc

Note that you will only need to carry your day pack and water bottle during the hike. You can leave the rest of your luggage or other unnecessary items inside the coach. We will have access to all our items at the end of each day’s hike.

Tips and Gratuity
We encourage participants to each set aside $5 sgd and $2 sgd as tips for the guide and driver daily. Ie Total $7 * 5 = $35 (167 CNY) each pax. The tour guiding culture in China is to bring visitors for shopping. Commission from such trips has always been the main source of income for tour guides.  However, our trip is a no-shopping event so we will do a collection (recommended amount $35 sgd per pax) to the guide and driver.

Other Useful Links
More info about the tipping culture http://www.chinatravel.com/facts/tipping.htm
More info about Travelling to China http://www.chinatravel.com/facts/
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Insurance
From 15 July 2015 onwards, a travel agent is required to ask attending participants if it is their wish to purchase travel insurance that includes coverage for business insolvency of travel agencies when:
–  they are buying a leisure travel product/package; or
– their travel product/package costs at least S$1,000 (including GST) per person; or
– they are paying a deposit or payment of at least S$500 per person.