The “Great Wall of China” describes an array of fortifications. It was built all across the northern border of China. The primary goal was to secure and strengthen the territory of the Chinese states and empires from different nomadic tribes from across the steppe, along with their respective political structures. It began as a series of individual walls built across several kingdoms and dynasties over many years, and the various parts were later joined to form the most prominent structure made of man. The Great Wall is a must while traveling to China. The Chinese Wall’s name is Wan Li Chang Cheng, which means ‘Ten thousand Li (a “li” of around 500 meters) the long wall’. The Great Wall is a treasure of Chinese civilization and is one of the most significant cultural heritage places. Many people who visit the Wall go in and out for hours.
For those genuinely awestruck by traveling, camping on the Great Wall of China is an experience that will last a lifetime and is unique and unheard of in every other China experience. You could be sleeping in the open air of a watchtower, the sound of birds singing to set your alarm, and rising early to view the sunrise over the Wall before anyone else. If this is how you’d like to experience The Great Wall, our article is ideal for you.
1. Where to Camp on the Great Wall of China
There are many places to camp. The further away your location is from Beijing, the more unpopular the Wall is. Be aware that many areas that comprise the Wall need to be in better condition, and certain parts may not be suitable to camp on. So, if you want to camp along the Great Wall of China, you’ll need a spot in good shape and not overly touristy to ensure that authorities don’t bother with patrolling. Numerous locations near Beijing align with that criteria, like the following sections.
1. Huanghuacheng Great Wall Camping
The area is situated 70km from Beijing city center. Huanghuacheng refers to the “yellow flowers wall” and has a wide array of yellow flowers during the spring and summer. Huanghuacheng Great Wall section is known for its unique scenery. The area has lakes as well as a long reservoir that is located nearby. The lake also naturally splits this part of the Great Wall into three segments. The Wall is underwater and then submerged by the reservoir that was constructed in the 1970s. This is why this section of the Huanghuacheng Great Wall can be known as the “Water Great Wall.” Many old parts make up the Wall, including original watchtowers, since it’s largely unrestored.
The two campsites are designated and equipped with BBQ facilities. One is in the chestnut garden, and the other is in the peninsula region. They are accessible to visitors from May through September every year. However, you must bring camping equipment.
To reach Huanghuacheng Great Wall from Beijing, it is necessary to visit Dongzhimen Public Transport Hub (Dongzhi Men Station on the subway Line 2 or 13) then take the bus 916 Express, and get to Nanhuayuan Sanqu (Nan Hua Yuan San Qu ) Bus Station and walk 340m until Qingchunlu Nankou (Qing Chun Lu Nan Kou ) Bus Station and change buses to H21, and then get off there. Xishuiyu (Xi Yu Yu ) Station.
2. Gubeikou Great Wall Camping
The site situated in Miyun County, 120km (75 miles) from Beijing’s city center; Gubeikou Great Wall thought to be a “wild wall,” meaning unrestored. In general Gubeikou Great wall comprised of four parts, which are Panlongshan (Coiling Dragon Mountain) Great Wall. Wohushan (Crouching Tiger Mountain) Great Wall, Jinshanling Great Wall, and Simatai Great Wall. But, in this case, we are referring only to Panlongshan (Coiling Dragon Mountain). Great Wall and Wohushan (Crouching Tiger Mountain) Great Wall because Jinshanling and Simatai managed by various authorities and have restored in parts.
Gubeikou Great Wall is a great place to hike because it’s incredibly remote, and one can walk for hours and not see anyone else. It’s also a fantastic location to camp due to its ruggedness and isolation. It’s possible to begin in your town, Gubeikou, and hike east towards Jinshanling. You can camp overnight in one of the towers that watch you or even in the Wall. You can follow the trail until you arrive at Jinshanling. If you want to hike further, continuing your trek from Jinshanling to the west of Simatai is possible. Because the Gubeikou area is not restored, it could be risky to be careless about your feet. If you decide to camp at an observation tower, ensure you choose a building in good condition.
To reach Gubeikou to get there, visit Dongzhimen Public Transport Hub (Dongzhi Men Station, subway line one or) Take bus No. 980 express, which will take you to Miyun Bus Terminal (Mi Yun Qi Che Zhan ) and then transfer to bus No. 25, and exit in Suidaokou station (Sui Dao Kou ) station. This is the entry point for Gubeikou village. There is an information center in the area to help you find the Panlongshan Great Wall, which is the official title of the eastern parts of Gubeikou (the western section of the Wall is known as the Wohushan Great Wall). These two parts are divided by the river.
3. Jiankou Great Wall Camping
Mutianyu is connected to the east by Jiankou, which is 70 kilometres (43.5 miles) north of Beijing.. Jiankou differs from Mutianyu… It was unexplored for centuries in the 16th century. The towers crumbled. The wall crumbled in places where just one person could walk. A forest-like wall has grown through the earth. Unrestored and steep, this wall section is complex (like the Sky Stairs). Hike from Xizhazi village. West or east to the Huanghuacheng or Mutianyu Great Walls. This stretch has many watchtower campsites. March 2020 saw the restoration of 3 kilometers of the segment. We are still deciding if camping is possible after 2023.
Jiankou Great wall
The most efficient method to reach the Jiankou Great wall is via Xizhazi Village (Xi Zha Zi ). You must go through Dongzhimen Public Transport Hub (Dongzhi Men Station on subway lines 2 or 13). Take the bus 916 Express, get to Yangjiayuan (Yang Jia Yuan ) Bus Station and walk for 700m towards Yujiayuan (Yu Jia Yuan ) Bus Station and change buses to H25, and then get off at Xizhazi (Xi Zha Zi ) Station.
Another option for Jiankou is through Mutianyu Great Wall; they are linked. It is necessary to travel through the Dongzhimen Public Transport Hub (Dongzhi Men Station, subway line 2 or 13) or take bus 916 Express. Get out at Huairou Beidajie (Huai Rou Bei Da Jie ), change to H23/H35/H36, and then get out at Mutianyu Roundabout (Mu Tian Yu Huan Dao ). When you arrive at Mutianyu Great Wall, walk west along the Wall for 5km, and you’ll reach Jiankou.
4. Chenjiapu Great Wall Camping
The Ming Dynasty built the Chenjiapu Great Wall 8km (51 miles) north of Beijing (1368-1644). In 1644, Chinese insurrection head Li Zicheng stormed this part of the Wall, the weakest in the defense system, and took over Beijing, ending the Ming Dynasty. Foreigners must find this region. They are falling apart… This will make you look older.
This region has more campers and hikers than others and is suitable for camping near Beijing. Great Wall Fresh, a village restaurant/homestay near the Wall, can help you go it alone. The Chen family, from Chenjiapu, manages it from the city. They provide transportation, accommodation, meals, and tent rentals. Reserve at 21******b74@3***f.com. http://www.greatwallfresh.com/ has further booking information.
5. Longquanyu Great Wall Camping
75 km (46 miles) away from Beijing, which is approximately 22 km (13 miles) away from Ming Tombs, Longquanyu Great Wall is a 5-kilometer (3 miles) Wall constructed during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Wall’s builders utilized local granite, which was plentiful. This is a single wall, unlike other walls connected to different segments. The Wall runs into a cliff, forming an artificial barrier in the east; however, it was intentionally separate in the west.Experts believe that this was because its thought that the Ming Dynasty wanted to protect the Fengshui of the Ming Tombs (royal tombs). The Chinese believe that the most suitable burial places allow the dead to rest peacefully,
guarantee a good resurrection, and ensure the happiness and prosperity of the next generation. The main attractions of Longquanyu are the opportunity to view ten towers that date back to the past, as well as stunning views of water canyons, mountains, and other unique natural sights. To reach Longquanyu Great Wall by public transport, travel there via Deshengmen bus stop (Jishuitan Station of the subway on Line 2), get on bus No.872, and then get off at Chang Ling (Chang Ling ) station. Then switch to bus No.925 and get off at the Longquanyu (Long Quan Yu ) bus station. From there, walk approximately 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) up to the Wall. It can take you about 3 hours. Four 925 buses per day leave out of Chang Ling at 9:30 am at noon, at 3:00 pm, and 5:00 pm. It is an excellent idea to employ an individual driver.
2. Is it Legal to Camp on the Great Wall of China?
Yes and No. In the sections that have been fully restore, such as Badaling, Juyongguan, and Mutianyu, there is no permit for camping on the walls. There isn’t a law prohibiting you from camping on sections that are not restore, such as Gubeikou, Jiankou, Chenjiapu, or Longquanyu. The only area with designated camping spots is Huanghuacheng Great Wall.
3. Great Wall Camping Tips
If you can afford it, we recommend booking with a tour operator. The tour operator will provide equipment for camping for you. They’ll manage the logistics of getting to the parts of the Wall suitable for camping. They’ll provide a knowledgeable guide to highlight the best features of the Great Wall. This will help you save time, make you feel more relaxed, and make your Great Wall trip more enjoyable.
Of course, it’s feasible to accomplish on your own. Here are some suggestions to help you stay on the Great Wall on your own:
1. Make sure you do your research thoroughly before the time.
What is the weather forecast? In which part do you want to stay? How can I get there most easily? Where can you purchase your camping equipment?
2. Preparation
Make sure you have enough food and drinks along. There are no shops along the Wall. This means that you’ll need water and food after quitting Beijing until you arrive at noon in the morning. Although there may be shops, prices are much higher than those of a grocery store in Beijing. The walls could be more transparent. Therefore an excellent pair of hiking boots is recommend.
3. Start early and head to the Wall at a reasonable time.
Generally, it takes more than two hours to get to the Wall using public transport. Traveling along the Wall in all your camping gear might take longer than you think, and you want to avoid spending the night looking for a suitable place to rest in the darkness. There are only a few sheltered areas initially, so you have to give yourself time to get to the watchtowers ideal for camping.
4. Maps
The offline maps can be download before you leave. Although it’s virtually impossible to lost along the Wall, it’s helpful to see how you’re situate across the Wall you’re. Even the exact location of the military portion of Gubeikou is located.
Camping on the Great Wall of China https://t.co/XJWKul0ZAk
— Guest Posting (@GuestpostingA) March 11, 2023
5. Travel without leaving any footprint.
Take everything you’ve got with you and take it away when you are in the bin.
The camping experience in the Great Wall is a once-in-a-lifetime trip experience. You should get there early if you wish to go because restoration work could hinder the possibility of camping on some parts that are part of the Wall. An ongoing restoration project on Jiankou began in March 2020 and is expecte to complete in 2023. We are the experts in Great Wall tours. All our guides are professionally skill, experienced, and proficient in English to make you enjoy your Great Wall travel experience hassle at no cost and as relaxing as possible. Please see the following article for more information on our two-day camping and hiking tour along the Great Wall.