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11 Day Great Wall & Huashan Challenge- Ex Beijing highlights include Beijing, Forbidden City, Great Wall at Gubeikou, Great Wall at Jinshanling, Great Wall at Simatai, Great Wall at Mutianyu, Xian, Terracotta warriors, Mt. Huashan climing.

Days 1-3: Beijing
Your trip starts today with your arrival in Beijing. No activities are planned, so arrive early if you can, as there is plenty to see. There will be a pre-tour briefing with your tour leader late in the afternoon. Please note that your Tour Leader will collect the Local Payment during your group meeting so be sure to take the 150 US dollars to the meeting along with your travel insurance details. Please bring new USD notes/bills in large denominations. Please see the noticeboard in the hotel reception for details.

Beijing is abundant in cultural and historical sites. The vast Forbidden City, built nearly 600 years ago and off limits to citizens for almost all that time, is a truly amazing place. The size might surprise you (it is huge!), but what makes it fascinating is that every square metre is interesting, ranging from intricately carved walkways to colourful, painted ceilings. There is also ample free time in the itinerary, allowing you to make your own discoveries and explorations. Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace are two other fine examples of extraordinary workmanship and architecture. In the evening, you have the chance to enjoy a performance of the unique Beijing Opera or Kongfu Show (optional).

Day 4: Great Wall at Gubeikou - Jinshanling
Early in the morning we depart to Great Wall at Gubeikou, from where we trek to Jingshanling (5- 6 hrs).

Gubeikou is located 146 kilometres north of Beijing. It has the Panlong (Coiling Dragon) and Wohu (Crouching Tiger) mountains in the background and is linked to the Qingfeng (Green Wind) and Dicui ( Piled Verdure) peaks. The Chaohe River runs across the foot of the wall from north to south. In 1378 (the 11th year of Emperor Hongwu's reign in the Ming Dynasty), General Xu Da ordered this section of the Great Wall rebuilt. Gubeikou has seen probably more battles than any other part of the Great wall, including some of the most famous in Chinese history. On the southern slope of Gubeikou stands a temple dedicated to Yang Ye, a famous Great Wall garrison general of the Song Dynasty. There are quite a few temples in China dedicted to this general, but this one is perhaps the oldest. Our walk takes us eastward along the old city wall, passing numerous watchtowers and other parts of the wall that have not yet been restored.

Day 5: Great Wall at Jinshanling – Simatai
Early in the morning we start the trekking at Jinshanling, from where we walk to Simatai (4-5 hrs). Walking eastward along the old city wall, passing numerous watchtowers and walls that have not yet been restored, it should take about 4-5 hours. The evening is spent at our lodge at the foot of the wall at Simatai.

Jinshanling is the name given to an 11-kilometre section of the wall situated on the Jinshan Mountains. The earliest bit of this structure was built in the 6th Century AD, but most of what you see now dates from the Ming Dynasty. This section of the wall has 67 watchtowers, each built in a different style of architecture. The walkway along the top is paved with square bricks providing a level surface wide enough to construct or erect batteries. Poems and tablet writings can be found on the Jinshanling Great Wall left from the time General Qi Jiguang directed building of this section of the Great Wall. Barrier walls were built leading to the enemy towers to protect the towers. Some of the towers were storerooms for food, hay and weapons.

After the trek, we then leave the wall and drive to a very small village, where we are guests of a local family in their simple abode. Here, you can relax and get a first-hand taste of rural life. Basic hot shower is available. Our hosts and most of the other villagers are still farmers, so don't be surprised if you are awaken to the sound of roosters crowing!

Day 6: Great Wall at Mutianyu
We’ll start walking in the morning on Mutianyu Great Wall. After lunch we’ll drive back Beijing and take the overnight train to Xi’an.

Situated in the northern part of Huairou County some 70 kilometres north-east of Beijing, the restored 2,250 metre-long Mutianyu section of the wall has 22 watchtowers built at regular intervals which vary from being complex structures of more than one storey to simple beacons. These combined three towers ensured the defending forces could control any attempt at an invasion. Most parts of the Great Wall have outer defensive parapets to provide cover for the soldiers and a low parapet on the inner side (called Nu Qiang) to prevent soldiers or horses from falling. The construction of these sections was started in the mid-6th century during China's Northern Dynasties (386-581) and the main restoration took place during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The panoramic sweeping views are most impressive.

We leave Beijing on the overnight train in Day 6, travelling in the sleeper train to Xi’an. You can either purchase dinner on the train or buy some food prior to boarding. We stay in six-berth air-conditioned cabins that have an open and relaxed feel about them. A blanket, sheets and a pillow are provided, although some people may wish to bring their own inner sheet. The 12-hour trip is a great opportunity for our group to get to know each other and is a great way to mix with the locals and practise your Chinese-language skills.

Days 7-8 Xi’an
We arrive in Xi'an in the early morning. Walking around the old town of Xi’an and relaxe in Day 7. In the moring in Day 8 we drive to Terracotta warrriors and spend 3 hours there. Back to the downtown after lunch, and take bus to Huashan (2 hours) and base us at a local guesthouse at night.

Xian topped the other ancient capital cities in China. Many wonderful places are on your exploration list. Food options are excellent here as well, ranging from delicious Muslim fare to great little dumplings in local restaurants. Widely known as the first capital of a united China in 221 BC, the city is the deep root of Chinese history. A half-day tour to the renowned Terracotta Warriors shows us to these unearthed pottery statues, considered one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th Century. Over 6,000 of them were individually sculpted from clay, each having a different costume, height, even facial expression. They are standing in battle formation, facing east in order to protect the tomb of China's first Emperor, the great Qin Shi Huang Di. These soldiers were accidentally discovered by local farmers in 1974. A free day can easily be spent wandering the narrow streets among the Muslim quarter where we find quaint shops, lively markets, groups of white-bearded men in skull caps sipping tea in dingy cafes. For those who are interested in history, please do not miss Shaanxi History Museum, which introduces you the total history of Chinese civilization. Other places you may visit include Bell Tower, Drum Tower, City Wall and Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a famous Buddhist temple.

Day 9 Mt. Huashan Climing
In early morning we will walk up to North Peak, from where we continue climing up the East Peak (5-6 hours). After a picnic lunch we will come back to North Peak, where we take the cable car down the mountain. We’ll catch the bus back to Xi’an in late afternoon.

120 kilometers (75miles) from Xian, Mt. Huashan is crowned as the most precipitous mountain under heaven and ranks as one of the five Sacred Mountains in China. Consisting of five perilous peaks, the mountain displays all spectacular and fascinating landscape for visitor to have an eye feast and breathtaking experiences.

Days 10-11
Relax and wander around in this ancient captial city in the morning. We board the overnight train to Beijing in late afternoon. Our trip ends in the morning of Day 11.