"Honestly, it is hard to imagine a better tour company in China"

My impression and review of Dandelion Hiking is NOT solely based on beautiful scenery and fantastic weather; any tour company can research sites to visit and luck out on good weather. My review is based on Heidi and Fred as people and what they had to offer.

A little background...

"Honestly, it is hard to imagine a better tour company in China"

My impression and review of Dandelion Hiking is NOT solely based on beautiful scenery and fantastic weather; any tour company can research sites to visit and luck out on good weather. My review is based on Heidi and Fred as people and what they had to offer.

A little background information on us may shed more light on our perspective and hopefully give you a better appreciation of Dandelion Hiking. My wife and I are very experienced independent travelers. Not only have we visited 6 continents we have lived and worked on 4 of them. Our 2 daughters age 6 and 8 are not going to stop us from exploring.

First and foremost I found F & H to be reliable, honest and trustworthy. Imagine trolling the internet in the comforts of your home trying to find a reasonably priced tour operator in China. Or worse waiting till you arrive in China to find one. Good luck finding guides or a tour company that is not just in it for the money. What you will find is that ALL the other operators will inevitably drag you through some silk or jade shop were you and all the other people in your "small" group of 50 are left for an hour so that you can shop. GREAT ... just shoot me now!!

Forget the fact that Fred speaks fluent English, French, Flemish, Dutch and that Heidi speaks Chinese and her English is very good; what distinguishes Dandelion from the rest is that Fred is from Belgium and Heidi is from China. So as a team they can bridge any and all cultural gaps between East and West. In other words... nothing is lost in translation.

When I was booking with Fred 3 months in advance (WITHOUT having to pay a deposit) I KNEW that he would be at our arranged meeting spot. I WAS CONFIDENT that he would be on time if not early! I TRUSTED that the farm house we stayed at next to the Great Wall would be safe for my children. THERE WAS NO DOUBT! I HAD NO WORRIES that the amount I paid was the price that we agreed on. I mention all of this because through our travels we have experienced it ALL.

Visit their web site and the pictures they have posted are truly representative of what you will see and experience. The beauty of Dandelion Hiking is that they will deliver an experience which you will never forget!!!

“The best tours are with Heidi and Fred”
I did two tours with Fred and Heidi last week and they were splendid!
A hike on the wall with no tourists, fabulous view and excellent food.
Because the first hike was such a success, i signed up for a second one. Totally different but also excellent.
If i go back next year, i want to sign up for the o...

“The best tours are with Heidi and Fred”
I did two tours with Fred and Heidi last week and they were splendid!
A hike on the wall with no tourists, fabulous view and excellent food.
Because the first hike was such a success, i signed up for a second one. Totally different but also excellent.
If i go back next year, i want to sign up for the one in the dessert. Fred and Heidi are the perfect guides for people who want to taste the real China.
Thanks a lot.

“The great wall how you should expriance it !!!”
At the end of september, me and a friend of my did the great wall hike orginised by Dandelion hiking. It was a two day trip with one night camping on the wall. Only the idea of camping on the wall sounded so amasing that the eceptions were quit high. And now back in my hometown i can only write th...

“The great wall how you should expriance it !!!”
At the end of september, me and a friend of my did the great wall hike orginised by Dandelion hiking. It was a two day trip with one night camping on the wall. Only the idea of camping on the wall sounded so amasing that the eceptions were quit high. And now back in my hometown i can only write that the promising expectations where filled. Looking at the foto's i dream away from the fun moments we had. Heidi and Fred took us to a beautiful spot on the wall far a away from any tourists. In a small group we hiked several houres on the authenthic Wall. It was fantastic. Heidi and Fred took us to a wonderful spot where we enjoyed the sunset while having a bbq. The food Heidi took care of was also great.!! If you looking the wall in another dimention i would recommend you this trip.... You'll not regret it. Thx again Heidi and Fred

“Top Notch China experience” (source tripadvisor)

I got to know this company because I was looking for a way to experience the great wall without lining up and getting annoyed by the masses of people screaming and taking pictures on the two popular sections of the great wall (Badaling & mutianyu). Fred and Heide offer hikes, camping and much mo...

“Top Notch China experience” (source tripadvisor)

I got to know this company because I was looking for a way to experience the great wall without lining up and getting annoyed by the masses of people screaming and taking pictures on the two popular sections of the great wall (Badaling & mutianyu). Fred and Heide offer hikes, camping and much more to less popular parts of the great wall. I have been able to enjoy the relaxing but on the other hand astonishing parts of the great wall. Watching sun set from the camping tents with a good glass of wine after a good BBQ on one of the many great wall towers. At the start and finish of the hike we were hospitably welcomed by locals, good to see the real locals!
If you want to see the great wall, then go to see the great wall. Don't line up on for one of the tourist attractions that are called Badaling & Mutianyu.
Don't worry about your fitness level since the tour will be completely adapted to the persons joining. Both Heidi and Fred have so much experience that they will come up with an easier route making the hiking approachable for anybody.

I liked the first camping hike so much that I joined a second 2 night camping on the wall. This time we spend the first night in the nature. The second day we went to a hot spring spa to give the body a good rest. The last day we could chose what we wanted to do so the group chose to do some fishing, eventually we ended up in the oldest post office of China. Three day trip was in one word 'Amazing'

Last but not least I joined the big adventure. I spend 7 days in the dessert where I enjoyed the most magnificent star sky, sand dunes and dessert lakes!

China is more then only forbidden city, shanghai and terracotta army. Add this to your trip to make your china experience complete!

“Hiking with Heidi is a fun and exhilarating experience that you will long remember and treasure.” (source:tripadvisor)

I have gone out on multiple occasions with Heidi with visitors from the US and each time presents a unique, unforgetable, exhilarating experience. We opt for outings to more remote, pristine spots where the natural beauty and ...

“Hiking with Heidi is a fun and exhilarating experience that you will long remember and treasure.” (source:tripadvisor)

I have gone out on multiple occasions with Heidi with visitors from the US and each time presents a unique, unforgetable, exhilarating experience. We opt for outings to more remote, pristine spots where the natural beauty and tranquility are breathtaking. Heidi has literally dozens of hiking destinations available to match your interests, expectations, level of challenge desired and so forth. More importantly, Heidi is friendly, always cheerful and helpful, and strives to make your hiking experience enjoyable and truly memorable. I am happy to recommend Heidi without reservation for a once in a lifetime experience with nature in remote and pristine settings.

“Great Wall Hiking - 2 days, 1 night camping” (source:tripadvisor)

Took my 20 something son and 2 of his mates. Experience of a life time. Views fanastic. Hiking strenuous, but exhilarating. Brilliant being "alone" on the Great Wall, a world away from the tourist sites.
Heidi and Fred seemed to produce excellent food like magic from their ruc...

“Great Wall Hiking - 2 days, 1 night camping” (source:tripadvisor)

Took my 20 something son and 2 of his mates. Experience of a life time. Views fanastic. Hiking strenuous, but exhilarating. Brilliant being "alone" on the Great Wall, a world away from the tourist sites.
Heidi and Fred seemed to produce excellent food like magic from their rucksacks and instilled in us a marvelous spirit of camaraderie.
Only way I felt I could possibly thank Heidi at the end of it was to hug her!
Peter, Beijing

“Awesome hiking and camping experience”
Source: tripadvisor
The hiking and walking trip with Heidi and Fred was brilliant! When we reach our starting point, Fred and Heidi distributed tent, sleeping bags and some of the food and drink supplies for us to carry. For a 2D1N trip, I suggest for those who want to do this trip, leave the unnecessary s...

“Awesome hiking and camping experience”
Source: tripadvisor
The hiking and walking trip with Heidi and Fred was brilliant! When we reach our starting point, Fred and Heidi distributed tent, sleeping bags and some of the food and drink supplies for us to carry. For a 2D1N trip, I suggest for those who want to do this trip, leave the unnecessary stuff behind, but do bring sufficient drinking water because there is nowhere to get water supply at the wall. You might need the water for brushing teeth as well.
We walked along the stretch of the wall. It was enjoyable and refreshing with an amazing view. Heidi and Fred were great guide, we stop whenever necessary and we have plenty of time to rest, chat and get to know each other, and of course for photo. I was so glad to have a pleasant group; everyone was so upbeat and no one complaining.
I was looking forward to camp in the open, but it was forecast to rain, so Fred and Heidi suggested to camp inside one of the tower to avoid being fried by the lightning. But the experience to camp inside the tower was still awesome! At first I thought the tower was too small but surprisingly could accommodate our tent and all eleven of us. Oh by the way, there was no toilet at great wall, but the ‘nature toilet’ is all around; a real camping experience.
That evening, we sat on the wall, chatting and watching the beautiful sunset. Dinner was prepared by Heidi and Fred, and it was great! Campfire, BBQ and wine for dinner on the great wall - what a fantastic experience. We were lucky that the weather forecast was unreliable, so we got to spend the night with beautiful stars.
I would recommend this trip for those who like hiking and camping, and away from crowd and buzzing Beijing. I am looking forward to do the great wall hiking and camping with Fred and Heidi again.

I've just come back from a Great Wall Camping Trip with Heidi and Fred. They make a great team and are so helpful. Even though I met them for the first time on this trip, it felt just like travelling with friends (but without the hassle of having to do the organising). In fact, as I live in Beijing, I will now consider them as friends!

I've just come back from a Great Wall Camping Trip with Heidi and Fred. They make a great team and are so helpful. Even though I met them for the first time on this trip, it felt just like travelling with friends (but without the hassle of having to do the organising). In fact, as I live in Beijing, I will now consider them as friends!

“The perfect way to end my visit to Beijing” (source:tripadvisor)
Such an incredible weekend. I've visited other parts of the Great Wall, but this is something completely different! Transport, food, hiking back pack and camping gear is all included. Heidi and Fred prepare some delicious food for lunch, dinner and breakfast. To walk along the Gr...

“The perfect way to end my visit to Beijing” (source:tripadvisor)
Such an incredible weekend. I've visited other parts of the Great Wall, but this is something completely different! Transport, food, hiking back pack and camping gear is all included. Heidi and Fred prepare some delicious food for lunch, dinner and breakfast. To walk along the Great Wall as it meanders through the valleys is such an experience, and the scenery is beautiful. The sunset was the most amazing I have ever seen, and then to be outside of urban Beijing and look at the glittering stars in the night sky as fireflies were buzzing around, this was definitely the highlight of my visit to Beijing. Heidi and Fred are very passionate about what they do, and this shows in the way they deliver such a great experience. I would recommend this to anybody. Thanks to you both, and all the best for the future

“Best of our trip” (source: tripadvisor)
We were traveling for 4 weeks from Beijing to Hong Kong.
At the end of the vacations we were discussing what the highlight of our trip was and we all voted for hiking with Heidi and Fred.

We started the tour with a delicious lunch and then were walking on the wall for 5 hours. I have never seen anything...

“Best of our trip” (source: tripadvisor)
We were traveling for 4 weeks from Beijing to Hong Kong.
At the end of the vacations we were discussing what the highlight of our trip was and we all voted for hiking with Heidi and Fred.

We started the tour with a delicious lunch and then were walking on the wall for 5 hours. I have never seen anything like this. The place is so remote that we met 3 other people all day long.

Don´t think twice -- do the trip with them.

“Extraordinary trip with amazingly nice people = a highlight!”
(source:tripadvisor)
My friend and I went on one of the wild great wall camping trip, and were astonished by the beauty of the place, the kindness of the organizers (Fred and Heidi) and the amazing food they cooked on the wall ;)
If you want to experience something you will never for...

“Extraordinary trip with amazingly nice people = a highlight!”
(source:tripadvisor)
My friend and I went on one of the wild great wall camping trip, and were astonished by the beauty of the place, the kindness of the organizers (Fred and Heidi) and the amazing food they cooked on the wall ;)
If you want to experience something you will never forget, choose Dandelion Hiking Trips. You will not be disapointed !!!!

Visited August 2011

“Off the Beaten Wall with Heidi and Fred”
(source:tripadvisor)
I would recommened this trip for anyone who is looking for an authentic back country experience away from the crowds. We walked along a stretch of the wall and saw only a handful of people and then overnighted in one of the turrets along the wall. We had a camp fire that Fred cooked ...

“Off the Beaten Wall with Heidi and Fred”
(source:tripadvisor)
I would recommened this trip for anyone who is looking for an authentic back country experience away from the crowds. We walked along a stretch of the wall and saw only a handful of people and then overnighted in one of the turrets along the wall. We had a camp fire that Fred cooked up some roast duck while we watched the sun set with a tipple of red wine - The perfect way to experience the great wall! It was great to also to see some of the local villages and how people live in this remote section of the wall. Fred and Heidi are engaging guides who are clearly passionate about exploring new places and sharing local knowledge with their groups. I will for sure by heading out with them again... the only thing I would say - Fred - please get a bigger bus!!

“An unforgettable highlight of my China trip!”
I decided to do a hike of the Great Wall of China with Fred and Heidi. We went to Panglongshan (winding dragon). The hike was beautiful. Fred and Heidi are great guides. They know the perfect places on the wall that are not busy with any tourists. At the same time, they point out towers that are fam...

“An unforgettable highlight of my China trip!”
I decided to do a hike of the Great Wall of China with Fred and Heidi. We went to Panglongshan (winding dragon). The hike was beautiful. Fred and Heidi are great guides. They know the perfect places on the wall that are not busy with any tourists. At the same time, they point out towers that are famous for various reasons. It's obvious that the stones I was walking on were the original stones and not refurbished for tourists. This wasn't a simple hike because the wall in this part wasn't maintained to cater towards tourists, it was the real original wall. And I must say: truly beautiful!

After the hike, I was able to camp out and sleep on the Great Wall in one of the towers! It would be an understatement to say it was just a memorable experience. I was all alone with nothing but the wall, the moon, and the stars to keep me company. One of the most important reflective experiences of my life. No better way to spend my last night in China! I woke up the next morning before sunrise and was amazed again with the beautiful modern wonder.

This trip is something that is impossible to build up too much. There is no possible way that it won't meet expectations no matter how high! Fred and Heidi are the best! Thank you guys so much!

Greg Owsley

“A wonderful experience in the great Wall !!!”

We are very happy to have gone with Heidi and Fred visiting the Great Wall in Gubeikou. Its a wonderful place, you can see the great Wall without tourists in a natural place with great views!!!It was the part of the our trip in China where we could enjoy in the more relaxed way, a very refreshing d...

“A wonderful experience in the great Wall !!!”

We are very happy to have gone with Heidi and Fred visiting the Great Wall in Gubeikou. Its a wonderful place, you can see the great Wall without tourists in a natural place with great views!!!It was the part of the our trip in China where we could enjoy in the more relaxed way, a very refreshing day and night in the countryside far away from the big cities. Thanks to Heidi and Fred, they show us a very special part of China, that we will never forget!!!

“Spectacular Great Wall hike away from the crowds with wonderful guide”
We were met by Heidi and she had arranged everything for our trip from Beijing to a remote part of the Wall including a great lunch at a farmhouse at the Wall. We hiked for 5 hours along intact and some broken parts of the Wall without seeing a single other person! She was f...

“Spectacular Great Wall hike away from the crowds with wonderful guide”
We were met by Heidi and she had arranged everything for our trip from Beijing to a remote part of the Wall including a great lunch at a farmhouse at the Wall. We hiked for 5 hours along intact and some broken parts of the Wall without seeing a single other person! She was fun and informative and I would recommend her guiding to anyone wanting to hike in China.

Visited March 2011