Indonesia Travel 04: CNNGo.com

Saturday, June 2, 2012

CNNGo.com

How to find a great escape in the Great Wall

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 03:45 PM PDT

Hikes along the Great Wall are a relatively simple option, easily accessible from Beijing, and can be done leisurely over several days or in a power-trek over just one or two days.

We geared up for the Gubeikou section of the Great Wall in Miyun County, about two hours north of Beijing.

We hiked to four Ming watchtowers on the peaks of rigid hills where we set up camp in a windy tower, downed a few Stella beers and enjoyed the expansive views.

"Checking in" at the Great Wall at Gubeikou.

Equipment and camping gear is strewn about. Sleeping, or trying to sleep, in a watchtower is rough.

The two-hour hike along rigid peaks to reach the watchtower was no easy task.

Now this is a view worth hiking all day for.

We hiked uphill through muddy trails overgrown with trees and lilac bushes to three more watchtowers.

Still standing strong and looking remarkably solid even after all these years.

The view seemed endless. We counted 15 watchtowers on the hilltops around us.

A final look out from the Gubeikou tower window before we departed.

Camping the Great Wall of China

It isn't as difficult to camp the Great Wall as one might think. A quick Google search finds a plethora of companies offering hikes and camping tours.