Book your desired option and depart your central Beijing hotel by private vehicle, venturing north to the Huanghuacheng Great Wall, the only section of China’s Great Wall that runs alongside, and is partially submerged in a lake.
After a roughly 37-mile (60-kilometer) journey, admire the views of Huanghuacheng, whose battlements snake over forested hills around Haoming Lake and Xishuiyu Reservoir. In midsummer, the wall is surrounded by yellow flowers, lending it its name of Huanghuacheng or ‘Yellow Flower Wall.’
Largely unrestored since the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), this segment is one of prettiest yet least crowded near Beijing, making it great for hiking. Building began in 1575 under General Cai Kai, and took many years. Once it was finished, China’s emperor, mistakenly believing it had been sloppily built, had Kai beheaded, only to learn later that the wall had been sturdily constructed.
Head through the entrance, and enjoy a scenic hike along the ramparts with your guide, or, if you’ve chosen the transfer service — independently. Absorb the stunning hill-and-lake views, inspect the watchtowers, and if you’re with a guide, learn about the wall’s construction and design.
Afterward, savor a farm-style restaurant lunch (depending on option selected) before concluding at your hotel.
