A Ming village by the Great Wall
From € / person
2 days
The Great Wall of China
This short getaway takes you to a very much off the beaten track Great Wall location, away from all crowds, for an unforgettable Great Wall weekend getaway. A Chinese proverb says, as long as you didn't step on the Great Wall, you are not a man... Legend also has it that we can see it from the Moon. The most simple is still to set foot on it yourself! Different parts of the Great Wall stretch together along 5000 to 6000 kilometres, so you can get to know and appreciate it as much to the East than West, but you'll also discover that the wall is not the same everywhere.
A weekend in Hebei
Close to Beijing, in the province of Hebei, the small village of Zhenbiancheng will welcome you for a 2-day escape from the city, a Great Wall weekend getaway. Stroll along the streets of this now peaceful Ming village, that also has a closer history of fighting the Japanese.
Itinerary
Stay for one night at a local farmer's guesthouse where you'll feel immersed in the country's way of life, sleeping on a traditional kang heated underneath at night, eating fresh homemade dishes prepared by your host, and trekking to the off the beaten track Great Wall nearby for a wonderful view on the valleys around.
Itinerary
Day 1: Beijing – Zhenbiancheng (D)
Today, you’ll meet your driver for a 2hrs drive to Zhenbiancheng village, located in Hebei province. On the way, you’ll slowly get up in the mountains.
Zhenbiancheng is just at the limit with Hebei province, but you’ll feel the change already: deeper in the countryside, Zhenbiancheng isn’t a touristy place at all.
Enjoy an afternoon discovering the village and its surroundings. Tonight you’ll sleep in a simple but nice local farmer’s guesthouse. For dinner, you’ll taste some local homemade specialties.
Accommodation: Local farmer’s guesthouse
Day 2: Zhenbiancheng – Beijing (B, L)
This morning, after a solid breakfast, you’ll walk in the village in the direction of the Great Wall. You’ll leave the asphalt road for a flat countryside track through the fields, before walking up to the top of the hill where you’ll finally reach the Great Wall running on the surrounding crests. Enjoy the view and take a walk on this still original, unrestored version of the wall.
After a short or long walk at leisure on this off the beaten track Great Wall section, come down by the same way to your guesthouse. After a late lunch, your driver will take you back to Beijing.
Information
Inclusions:
- Private driver
- Accommodation in a local guesthouse
- Dinner, breakfast and lunch at the guesthouse
Exclusions:
- Tip to the driver
- Personal expenses
- Insurances
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