Join Westminster Challenge to explore the mysteries of the Orient for an unforgettable 10 days trekking the Great Wall of China. Discover hidden areas of the Wall, trek up ancient steps and through local villages and see breathtaking views from the most incredible man-made feat of all time.

Westminster Challenge are looking for members of all political parties to join us for this journey. Acting as a link between the political and charitable worlds, Westminster Challenge was created in 2006 to engage political activists in the work of UK charities and fundraises on their behalf.

If you are interested in receiving further details, please email sarah.goodwin@westminsterchallenge.org.

The full information pack will be available to download from this section shortly. Please email our project co-ordinator at sarah.goodwin@westminsterchallenge.org if you would like an information pack sent to you immediately.

Itinerary

TREKKING THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA
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10 days/ 9 nights
Depart: 1 Sep 2008; London – Beijing
Return: 10 Sep 2008; Beijing – London
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INTRODUCTION
Stretching 6000km in a dotted line across China, the Great Wall was begun in the 5th Century BC. As it snakes across the mountains it conjures up a sense of history which is difficult to grasp until you have had the opportunity to experience it.

Our trek over 100km is very varied, as we pass through woodland and terraced farmland, and follow the contours of the beautiful hills and mountains in remote areas north of Beijing. We follow old sections of the Great Wall, as well as restored sections with smooth flagstones and lots of steps!

This challenge is physically demanding and offers fabulous scenery and a fascinating insight into a rich culture and history. We will celebrate the end of our trek in Beijing amidst the splendours of the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven .

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Day 1, 1 Sep: Depart London Heathrow for Beijing.


Day 2, 2 Sep: Beijing
Arrive Beijing during the morning, where depending on our arrival time we may be able to take a city tour and visit the fabulous Forbidden City. On arrival at our city hotel we can then freshen up and relax! There will be a full trip briefing in the evening.
(Dinner not included)

Day 3, 3 Sep: Beijing – Huangyaguan
We transfer this morning from the busy streets of Beijing, driving northwest into the hills above Huangyaguan (3.5-4.5 hours). Huangyaguan is situated in a beautiful valley in the heart of the Yanshan Mountains. After a scenic drive through a landscape of hills and lakes, we arrive at our village and see the Great Wall for the first time, as it snakes along the ridgeline of the mountains. After a good traditional lunch we start our trek! The Wall is well renovated here and it disappears into the horizon in both directions. After some steep step sections, which give us a good inkling of what lies ahead, we walk predominantly downhill until we reach the small town of Huangyaguan. Here the wall crosses the road that leads to our nearby accommodation.
Approx 2 – 3 hours walking

Day 4, 4 Sep: Huangyaguan – Mountain Village
Our day’s walk begins where we left the Wall yesterday, and we head up the steep renovated steps towards what appears to be a sheer cliff face. This is where we encounter ‘Heavens Ladder’, a steep climb of over 200 steps leading us up the cliff face. There are fabulous views from the

top, and once we have caught our breath the path continues gradually on steep tracks through forest, up to the top of the ridge. Once again we join the old Wall, and follow it along the contours of the mountain until we clamber down into the valley below. We bed down in the houses of a local village, a real cultural experience.
Approx 7 hours walking

Day 5, 5 Sep: Village – Jinshanlin
Waving goodbye to our hospitable hosts, we head up through the farming terraces immediately behind the village. The path is steep, and the terraces soon give way to rocky hillsides scattered with scrub. Eventually we re-join the Wall, which is un-restored and crumbling so we follow a path which takes us alongside it, with fabulous views along the ridgeline to the day’s highest point. We then drop down the hillside and make our way on winding tracks through trees back into the valley, where farmers grow maize, and walnut and fruit trees. Back at the village, we walk along the village road, enjoying the scenes of rural life, until reaching the main road and our waiting transport. Our drive through the mountains to Jinshanlin (3-4 hours) is very scenic.
Approx 4 – 5 hours walking

Day 6, 6 Sep: Gubeiko – Jinshanlin
A quick 20-minute hop in the bus takes us to our start point just outside the village of Gubeiko. We walk through the village and farmland until our path takes us alongside an un-restored yet well-preserved section of the Wall. This part appears to be of almost brick-like construction and dates back to the Qing Dynasty, the last dynasty to rule over this vast land. We follow a track down into the valley in order to skirt a Chinese military post and follow dirt paths through trees and undergrowth before rejoining the Wall. There are some steep sections and we help each other out if need be. Stunning views of the Great Wall snaking along the hilltops keep us going whenever we find it tough! The final stretch to Jinshanlin is on restored Wall with lots of steps. A short walk through the village and small shops takes us to our simple accommodation.
Approx 7 – 8 hours walking

Day 7, 7 Sep: Jinshanlin – Simatei
Today’s stunning walk on this largely restored section of the Wall takes us from Jinshanlin to Simatei. Starting where we left off yesterday, we head up the carefully restored steps which take us into the mountains one final time. There are a few sections on older bricks and some dirt tracks, but for most of today we walk on good flagstones. The scenery is superb with rolling purple hills fading into the distance. We leave the Great Wall at Simatei, enjoying the view as it clings precariously to the rock face opposite, dotted with many watchtowers; classic ‘scales on a dragon’s back’ scenery. We cross a pedestrian bridge and finish the day with the opportunity to zip slide (approx 35 yuan) across the lake and then catch a small boat ride back across to our accommodation. If you prefer not to zip slide it is an easy 30 minute walk down.
Approx 6 hours walking

Day 8, 8 Sep: Simatei – Mutianyu
Our day starts with a bus transfer (approx 3 hrs) from our hotel at Simatei to Mutianyu Great Wall. Our trek itself starts with a brief walk through a friendly village before we climb for 1-2 hours up the hillside, where we may see villagers gathering firewood. We can see the Wall high on the ridge ahead of us, and slowly wind our way up to it. Once more our efforts are rewarded by stunning views as the Wall disappears from view in both directions. We continue along the

well-restored Wall flagstones, with some good sections of steps, before descending down to our hotel at Mutianyu. There is an opportunity to do some haggling in the markets before you reach the hotel, so carry some money with you for this!
Approx 4 – 5 hours walking

Day 9, 9 Sep: Mutianyu – Juyongguan
After a transfer (2-3 hrs), our final day’s walk takes us on a circuit of the restored Wall at Juyongguan. The Wall undulates across the rolling spine of hills offering
spectacular views of this area, where many warriors once fought. After some of the steepest steps we have encountered yet, our trek is over all too soon and we must leave the Wall and return to the twenty-first century. We load up the bus and transfer to Beijing, the nation’s capital and home to over 13 million people. Our senses will be unprepared as we enter Beijing and experience its frenetic energy, quite a contrast after the natural scenery and remote tranquillity of the past few days. After checking into our hotel, we have time to freshen up before the evening celebration meal.
(Dinner not included)
Approx 4 hours walking

Day 10, 10 Sep: Depending on flight schedules, there is free time until the transfer to the airport for the flight back to London. Arrive London Heathrow. (Overnight flights arrive back into Heathrow the next morning.)

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