Beijing & the Great Wall holidays

What are the best ways to discover Beijing and the Great Wall holidays?

You can’t visit China without a trip to the Great Wall, and with over 13,000 miles of twisting, dipping and winding brickwork, you certainly won’t be short of an adventure or two. Head out with a private guide to explore the Ming Dynasty (14th - 17th centuries) section of the wall which is said to be one of the finest parts. Explore the surrounding area with a gondola ride up into the hills before hiking along the world’s largest man-made structure for a couple of hours, imagining what it would have been like for the soldiers defending against Mongols. Enjoy a well-earned picnic lunch before whizzing back down to the car on a fun toboggan ride.

The Huanghuacheng part of the wall is another fascinating section and is not far from Beijing. Appreciate the enormity of the wall on a hike along the ramparts from which you will catch a glimpse of Chinese daily life, from chestnut tree-filled orchards to authentic rustic settlements. Of course, another picnic had while perched on the Great Wall is a great way to end the day, before heading back into bustling Beijing. Venturing out with a private guide is the best way to discover Beijing’s delights, so grab your camera and head into the city where you will be able to make pit stops at the Olympic Park, Chairman Mao’s mausoleum and the Forbidden City (to name only a few).