Dandelion Hiking Beijing

The summer rain has arrived in Beijing and in no time the landscape surrounding the mountains carrying the Great
wall changed dramatically. The dry yellow mountains made place for a lush green landscape.

We made or way trough the farm fields where the first corn started coming up. A short climb and we reached the Yuan Dynasty Great Wall. This 1000 year old wall is just made of earth. 500 years later, during the Ming Dynasty, this wall was fortified with bricks. As we continued or hike the Winding Dragon Great Wall became bigger and bigger and half an hour later we could see the farm where we had lunch far beneath us.

During our walk on the Great Wall we found some old pottery and and saw salamanders hunting for ants that where hiding under some of the Ming Dynasty roof tiles. The Dandelion where dancing with the wind throwing their seeds over bypassing caterpillars and grasshoppers. Life is definitely different on the mountains around Beijing than in the city.

Visiting the Great Wall is a must when you re in Beijing and hiking on top of it a great experience. But while you’re there…don’t rush. Go and sit on top of one of the watch towers watch the amazing scenery and all the small life it hosts. It will give you without a doubt a very special feeling.

Lonquanyu or (Spring Mountain) Great Wall is the perfect example why we never get bored leading hikes on the Great Wall.

There are many trail on this great wall fit for every season. Just 2 months ago we were hiking on top of this great wall and the surrounding where all yellow and dry. Now mid May everything is lush and green. The trees and low bush that overgrow this wild great wall are now hiding their thorns with white flowers and fresh green leaves.

After a few hours hiking we arrived at a small stream.

1 month ago it was completely frozen. The little waterfalls were Ice sculptures and the and the river itself a fairy tale like ice road that we could walk upon for hours. Not on this hike any more though… now the water was flowing around the rocks and small fish and frogs where swiftly swimming around as doing a happy spring dance. The slippery ice road had disappeared and now we made our way up stream stone hoping and climbing.

The Great Wall and it’s surrounding mountains, valleys and streams are always there but always different. I’m already looking forward to back in summer to see it changing again.

Camping on the Great Wall is always a great experience but if you can finish it off with a relaxing overnight stay at a spa resort than  you just gave yourself a treat of a lifetime.  No need to tell much about this relaxed hike on the Great Wall. Just have a look at the pictures and they will speak for themselves…

To give you the best Great Wall hiking and Camping trip in Beijing Chinahiking keeps Exploring as much as possible.

There is 630km of Great Wall in Beijing and Chinahiking has explored almost every section but there are always new parts of Great Wall to explore. For this hike we tried out new valleys to enter and exit and what an experience that gave us.  When trying to reach the Yangbien Great Wall you have to be pretty care full as the valley’s that reach towards it are long and confusing. One wrong turn on a little road and you end up on a totally other mountain range than you intended. And even if you take the right trail it might just suddenly stop and this was exactely what happen on this Great Wall exploring trip.

The valley we entered was beautiful like a fairy tale. It was a clear spring day so we were walking trough orchards of white and pink flowers untill… the trail ended.

An ending of a trail never means ending of exploring but the start of adventure.  We made our way trough bush and dry leaves and often had to climb on hands and feet over steep mountain flanks.  It was hard… very hard work. With only 30 minutes before sunset we still hadn’t reached the great wall. Our gps told us that we had to climb no more than 30 meters to reach the top of the mountain so the confidence was still there.  Slowly but surely we made our way up the mountain and soon we got bricks of the Great Wall in sight. At that point we had been climbing that mountain for about 6 hours but no steep hill with dense thorny bush could keep us from reaching our destination ‘one of the most beautiful great wall parts in Beijing”

No victory tastes as sweet as the victory you had to work and suffer for and this victory was very sweet. We reached the Great Wall at it’s highest point of the area  1300m above sea level.The view was so amazing. The wild great wall lingering over the mountain ridges as far as we could see, Just amazing. We  pitched our tents on nice flat piece of grass and watched the sun painting an orange glow on the Great Wall as it slid behind the mountains.  A simple dinner and bit of scotch prepared us for a deep sleep on the Great Wall.

Next day the birds woke us up and rays of sunlight started warming up the fresh mountain air. Waking up in a scenery like is really refreshing when you’re living in the heart of Beijing.

In no time we were up for day 2 of our great wall trek.  This day was just easy enjoyment as we did all the climbing the day before. About 5km downhill hiking on top of the wall passing tower after tower, valley after valley until the wall touched the valley.

It was only a short walk trough the fields before we saw our faithful driver waiving. We reached civilisation again, had a great adventure, a camera full of pictures and a new part of the  Great Wall.If you d like to hike this part of the Wall (without the heavy climb in the start) than check our webiste www.chinahiking.cn and look for the Great Wall camping trip ” Border Defence great wall to General Xu Great Wall”  Trough this hike we found the connection and the best valleys to take (and not to take) for a great 2 day camping trip on the Yangbian Great Wall.  Have a look at more pictures of this trip on this link

Hello Travelers and Beijing outdoor lovers!

April brought us spring and with that some really nice hiking around the Beijing hills.

Now May is approaching and Dandelion hiking is offering you a month full of extraordinary trips.  From camping on the Great Wall to long walks on Beijng’s 1000 yeard old pelgrim roads, from getting soaked and relaxed in country side hot springs to 7 days of pure adventure in Badain Jaran desert.

 

For our Badain Jaran desert adventure starting on may 17 we still have 6 places available so be fast and reserve your place to the lands of the nomads!

What you can expect:

An amazing camping adventure in the world’s 4th largest desert. 5 full days of hiking and camel riding from oase to oase (8 in total). Thrilling jeep rides in and out of the desert. Nonstop breathtaking views in one of the most deserted places on our planet, and if you’re fit enough…. Scale the world’s largest sand dune.

There is more than “desert” on our May menu.. Have a look at our complete Beijing hiking agenda for May

 

Hope to see you all soon

Fred & Heidi

April was a month where we went to Gubeiko Great Wall quit a few times And every time it was completely different.

The second week of April is the week where everything is changing in the mountains around Beijing.

We have been camping in one of the Great Wall watchtowers under a sky filled with clouds, thunder, rain and lightning.

A few days later we were hiking on the same Gubeikou Great Wall…. This time the sun was shining and the hills were filled with white  Apricot flowers.

Again a few days later the Apricot flowers where almost  gone and and the strong wind give us rapid changes between sunshine and clouds   during our hike from Gubeiko to Jinsanling.

Yesterday we went back again to Gubeiko Great wall and this time the sky was so clear we could see as far as the eye could reach. In this area of the Great wall that means that the landscape becomes so picturesque that it feels like you’re walking in a movie scene.

As you see this is  times the same hike in the same month and yet every thing was so different each time we went there. Collors changed form yellow to white to green to blue….  a slow painter would have a hard time keeping track I guess

 

Gubeiko is one of the most beautiful great wall parts of Beijing and this weekend we went there for the first great wall camping trip of the year.

At first our plan was to go camping on Wohushan(crouching tiger), The Eastern part of Gubeiko great wall.  However, at the foot of Wohu mountain we were stopped by a farmer who was part of the local fire brigade. Two days ago she and other farmers had to put out a starting fire causes by a cigarette. Early spring time in Beijing  is the most dangerous time for mountain fires. Every year during these dry weeks farmers are on 24 hour alert, walking the mountains around their valley, searching for sign’s of fires. Big mountains  and parts of the great wall get closed for hikers if the head of the village sees that hikers are of for a camping adventure. And this is exactly what happened to us.

As far as we think, plans are made to change so we set of to “Hebei” the neighboring province across the street .  15 minutes later we and our South African friends where already climbing the first part of the 1000 year old (Yuan Dynasty) great wall called Panglongshan or Winding Dragon. Rebuilt 600 years ago during  the Ming Dynasty this great wall got his name because it winds on the mountain ridges like a dragon’s tale.

As usual Heidi prepared a wonderful lunch so wit fresh efforts we could continue hiking this man made world wonder while new stretches of great wall kept unfolding in front of us. A few km later we happily unshouldered  our backpacks in one of the watchtower and start pitching our tents.

As the sun sled behind the mountains, the temperature dropped very fast. No problem for our outdoor friends however. They changed into some warm clothes and let the gin tonic ( with fresh lime) do its work. With a simple dinner an a few bottles of our favorite brews we finished our day. Although the night was cold every body got up we a smile “we slept on the great wall, isn’t that amazing?!”.

And amazing it is indeed no matter if it’s the first, second or third time.  Hiking the great wall around Beijing is something you never get enough from.  I’m already looking forward to our next great wall trek! (I wouldn’t mind if it would be a bit warmer though)                              ;-)

 

If you’ve read a bit in our blog than you know that discovering new places is what we love most. Well… That and sharing our new discoveries with you.

This time we went about 100km north of Beijing and discovered a beautiful combination of wild great wall, restored great wall and a valley with a little river and some small waterfalls.  We started at a tourist place but quickly started side tracking.  Walking and jumping stones on the side of the river we started getting familiar with the area. We made a short climb up the mountain and discover some nice wild great wall. Following this great wall we cam at a partly restored wall where we met a young fellow form South China. He looked a bit lost and it seemed like he made one of the watchtowers his home for the night.  We shared a cigarette and some stories and continued our exploration. It’s quit cool to go from a great wall overgrown with trees towards an restored great wall. It gives a bit of an Indiana Jones feeling of discovering an ancient temple in the middle of the jungle.  After about 10km trekking we left the Great Wall on the other side of mountain and followed a little stream up a valley.  As this valley rarely gets sunlight the river was still frozen so no stone hopping to cross the river but an very nice walk on the ice and past little frozen waterfalls.  Just next to waterfall we meet a friendly retired farmer building his dream house in this fairy tale valley. He invited us in his house and told us that he used to be an avid hiker himself. One day he discover this valley and ever since  he dreamed about making this his home. 3 years ago he finaly retired and together with his friend he started building his dream. Now almost 3 years later he is laying the last hand on his project, and its looking very very nice! Just a few km ahead we reached civilization again, very happy we found this beautiful and diverse hike.

Another hike to put on our list for best great wall trekking in Beijng!

 

Great Wall hiking in Beijing is always nice in the early spring sunshine.

Our destination for today.. Huanghuacheng Great Wall, a partly restored great wall 120 km north of Beijing.

It’ s a very beautiful stretch of great wall but started to get pretty well know among tourists and that is a big downside in this case.  Lunch at a farmer house just next to the reservoir that divides two great wall section was good and people where friendly.Once we made our way towards the great wall a local lady charged us a few rmb to go past her house. Not uncommon in this area but the friendliness already went down. Just 10 meters further a second lady stopped us. My guess is that she was around 75 years old. While waving a little with her garden knife she charged us the same amount like the first lady. What a difference from the farmers we usually meet when hiking. With them we usually have a fight because we are not allowed to pay them something.

The walk on the Wall was pretty good and just like all great wall treks I keep being amazed about this endless structure. As with all beautiful good things in life …you can only enjoy them with good company, and this time our Irish guest Collin made sure we all had an excellent time.  If only people would refrain from putting slogans and name tags on the wall the feeling would have been more magical. Maybe that’s the reason those farmers don’t like tourists that much and make the best (some money) from the worst (irresponsible tourists). The strong spring winds blew the bad thoughts from my mind and we continued our hike with pleasure.

 

Great wall hiking in Beijing can be done in different ways. This great wall hike & hot spring combinations is one of my favorites ones.

 

Hengling village, where our hike starts is about 200km from Beijing. The village itself doesn’t look very important now, but in the Ming Dynasty it was a double walled defense village in a valley that was called the northern gate to Beijing. Numerous attack where executed here by the Mongols. For this reason the Chinese army ordered General Xu to build an extra strong wall in this area. Xu was known for his engineering and made this wall as an example of how other parts of the Beijing great wall  should be build. Even  today, this great wall still stands as strong as as it did 600 years ago

From Hengling village we follow the Great Wall for a while till we reach an old classic farmer village. It’s quit a magic place surrounded by great mountains and Great Wall.  Only a few families live in this Ming dynasty village.  We had healthy lunch at the village, a little chat with an old lady and her grand daughter and watched a 76 year old farmer taking care of is apple trees.

After lunch we headed straight for the mountains. At the highest point of this area(1350 meter) we had a fabulous view of the great wall winding over the ridges of mountains that surrounded us. From here it was only a 30 minute hike to one of the strongest parts of great wall around Beijing. Once on top of this great wall everybody us always amazed by the magic of this place, Heidi and me included.

Taking pictures on the way we follow the great wall for a couple km before going down in the valley and trough the orchards. At the end of this valley our driver is waiting for us with his usual smile, ready to drive us to our reward ” A top notch natural hot spring”.

And this is way this is one of my favorite trips. What is better than relax in hot spring and have a foot massage after an 18km hike on some superb great wall with great scenery and not one other tourist! Nothing can beat this I guess.