General Introduction to WildWall
The term ‘Wild Wall’ was conceived in the early 1990s to describe a species of Great Wall, lying as ruins, overgrown and crumbling, that exudes both antiquity and authenticity.
Exploring from a farmhouse at the foot of the Great Wall, a few hours’ drive north of Beijing, this is a fantastic experience for school groups for 5-6 days or hiking enthusiasts for a weekend.
Great Wall Weekends. Please tell us what weekend works for you, September through June! Give us at least 30 days' notice.
We organise these trips from a farmhouse in Hebei Province, quite remote, located at the end of a 10 km dirt road and 500 metres from the Wall. The farmhouse is in the centre of a tiny village of eight farms where locals grow corn and herd goats.
Facilities:
Four bedrooms which are clean, simply decorated and furnished, as well as a dining room/lounge, kitchen, running water and flush toilet. Rooms are adorned with various Great Wall photographs and maps. Note that beds are provided with freshly laundered bedding. We have a walled vegetable garden in which we often enjoy eating al fresco.
Day 1:
Starting with a late morning flight from Hong Kong, participants are collected at the Beijing Airport or hotel accommodations. Leaving Beijing by 4:30 PM, we have dinner at the farmhouse soon after our arrival by around 7:30 PM. This evening, Wil shares some fantastic insight into the Wildwall.
Day 2:
Two hikes this day. One to see the Sunrise over the Wall, the second after lunch and a short rest.
Day 3: A short hike this morning. After lunch, transferred back to the Beijing airport or hotel.
A total of six home-cooked meals will be provided from dinner on the first day through lunch on Sunday. Hearty breakfasts will ensure hikers are up to full strength. There is a free flow of drinks included (tea, coffee, beer, Sprite and Coke).
**Summary: 3 half-day hikes; return transport from/back to Beijing; 6 meals, trek led by William Lindesay, Farmhouse accommodations. Conservation fees and one of William's signed books.
Additional for those paying the ex-Hong Kong price: TIC levy, airfare Hong Kong to Beijing, Round-trip
Options Post-trip:
All persons MUST wear suitable footwear (boots are highly recommended) and have small backpacks and a couple of water bottles. Loose clothing (with wicking “Keep-dry” properties is recommended, and jeans are NOT recommended. All guests must bring their passports. Expatriates must bring their passports. A torch (flashlight) is useful for dawn hikes when we set off in the dark. Hand wipes are useful.
