VariArts Travel

We'll begin an amazing day out at one of man's greatest engineering feats, the embodiment of civilization and a harbinger of China as a giant of world culture. Only a little over an hour's drive from downtown Beijing, on this tour you'll get to enjoy the beautiful countryside surrounding the Great Wall and the chance to explore its ramparts and walkways, so monumental they can literally be seen from space.

 

Following in history's footseps  ... At its peak the Ming Wall was guarded by more than one million men .... it winds up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus, stretching a staggering 8,851.8 kilometers across China.

 

At more than 2,500 years old, the Great Wall was built to protect Chinese civilization from the fearsome northern tribes. We'll lead an engaging hike along the Great Wall - suited to varying abilities, and rest assured we're prepared with lot's of refreshments! 

 

Historical insights ... apart from keeping the Mongols at bay under the Ming Dynasty other purposes of the Great Wall have included border controls, allowing the imposition of duties on goods transported along the Silk Road, regulation or encouragement of trade and the control of immigration and emigration.

 

On a nearly-empty part of the wall, take an easy walk with frequent stops for photo opportunities and rest along the way.  All along the Wall, you will notice imposing watch towers stand tall above the landscape and watch them impressively snake off in various directions. From within one of these fabulously preserved watchtowers, we'll sit down and enjoy a lovely gourmet picnic lunch with champagne and tasty local nibbles. 

 

Your guide will share the history of this masterpiece and describe how the Great Wall outposts controlled the borders and regulated traffic during the time of the Silk Road.  After climbing back down you will be taken to a local restaurant where you will taste a traditional Chinese cuisine lunch. When you have finished your lunch, your guide will return you to your Beijing hotel where your tour ends OR you have the choice to get dropped off at the 798 Art Zone.

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The 798 Art Zone, located in northwest Beijing is an enormous 1950s factory that has been transformed into an arts center, with galleries, studios, museums, boutiques, cafés and bars. Take a look around on your own expense and enjoy a drink or dinner at a local restaurant before making your own way back to your hotel.

 

A perfect day out as challenging or relaxing as  can be wished for with a perspective of rural village life - a truly 'Insider's' day out on the Great Wall!