The Huanghuacheng Great Wall & Little West Lake Hike will take you to the Beijing countryside for a rugged hike on the Great Wall. You'll work your way up the mountain in the morning, and in the afternoon you’ll enjoy a leisurely hike down the mountain, overlooking the scenic Little West Lake and the majestic Great Wall.

Before the hike, we' ll visit a village to meet some local residents. Originally a garrison fort for guarding the Wall where soldiers lived, the village has changed over time in some ways. But many of the customs of the past – like transport by donkeys and cooking over wood fires – prevail.

After hiking the Great Wall, we' ll stop by another village to have a late lunch in a resident’s home on their Chinese-style brick bed, typical in rural China (about at 2pm, so please bring some snacks).

* Distance: 7km; * Peak: approx. 260m '; * Location: Huairou County, Beijing
* Hiking time: 3 hours (includes walking up the hill and time on top of the Great Wall; 1/3 of uphill is above 40 degree; half of downhill path is above 60 degree)
* Driving time: 1.5 hours each way

Meet at the China Culture Center to board the coach.

Contact:  86-10-6432-9341 (Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm); 86-10-6432-1041 (after hours, rerouted to mobile phone) Both tourists and expatriates are welcome to join. Registration is essential, no walk-ins. 



Insurance: We suggest you to purchase local travel insurance for this tour if you have no insurance while in China. Please let us know your personal details (full name, passport number and date of birth) 48 hours prior to the tour departure if you are interested. Should you not subscribe to this option, CCC will not be held responsible for any injuries or accidents which may occur during the trip.

Hiking Details:

Level of difficulties: 4 out of 5  (it is quite a strenuous hiking, if you have difficulties but wish to visit this beautiful area and authentic villages, then you can join CCC's another tour to this same place but less hiking (click to view details)



About the Great Wall at Huanghuacheng

The name means "yellow flower fortress" because of the indigenous yellow blossoms covering the fields in this area during summer. This section of the Great Wall is unique for two historical reasons: first, it is the only part of the Great Wall that is submerged under water (in the Little West Lake), and second, this part of the Wall shows significant damage from aerial bombings during World War II.  This section of the Great Wall holds much history and beauty; when the hike begins, you can still see the effects of modern war, but this damage is juxtaposed with the ancient vastness and strength of the Great Wall ahead.

This hike is suitable for all times of the yearas the views vary from season to season.
However, pear, peach and chestnut trees in this area blossom from June to September - especially beautiful.