Many travel companies offer day trips to the Great Wall of China. Some even offer week-long hiking trips along the more intact segments. But hikers looking to follow the Great Wall's entire 1,800-mile path from the Gobi Desert to the Yellow Sea will have to go it alone. It's up to them to obtain their travel permits, pitch their tents and navigate a foreign culture. Still, from unexpected local hospitality to breathtaking, solitary vistas, the rewards of this kind of travel are known only to those who take the risk.
Tips & Warnings
1. Go easy on yourself! Hiking halfway across China is strenuous. If the going turns out to be slower than you had expected, send the person monitoring your trip a revised schedule and continue on at a pace that is comfortable for you.
2. The structure we call The Great Wall of China is actually a series of walls built between the 5th century BC and the 16th century AD. Be sure to fully research the wall's many incarnations so that you can fully appreciate the historical crosscurrents you encounter on your journey.
3. Even with the best advanced planning, you may find you've packed more than you need. Don't hesitate to discard equipment you're not using.
4. Take some time to get acquainted with local language and customs before you leave. The more you make contact with locals, the richer and easier your journey will be.
1. Go easy on yourself! Hiking halfway across China is strenuous. If the going turns out to be slower than you had expected, send the person monitoring your trip a revised schedule and continue on at a pace that is comfortable for you.
2. The structure we call The Great Wall of China is actually a series of walls built between the 5th century BC and the 16th century AD. Be sure to fully research the wall's many incarnations so that you can fully appreciate the historical crosscurrents you encounter on your journey.
3. Even with the best advanced planning, you may find you've packed more than you need. Don't hesitate to discard equipment you're not using.
4. Take some time to get acquainted with local language and customs before you leave. The more you make contact with locals, the richer and easier your journey will be.
1. Heatstroke and dehydration are real risks on long-distance hikes. If someone in your party begins to look worse for wear, don't hesitate to seek medical attention. Avoid traveling during the heat of the day. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times for desert travel.
1. Heatstroke and dehydration are real risks on long-distance hikes. If someone in your party begins to look worse for wear, don't hesitate to seek medical attention. Avoid traveling during the heat of the day. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times for desert travel.
