China

Day 1, 02.27, Monday

Beijing – Huanggang – Nanfaxin – Shunyi – Beixiaoying – Weijiadian – Mulin – Nandanjiazhuang – Nanjingouzhong – Miyun

(~70 km)

Day 2, 02.28, Tuesday

Miyun – Tanyingxiang – Jingzigu – Zhuangtougu – Huanggezhuang – Liuhegu – Dongtiangezhuang – Liuhegou – Taishitun – Sanyuan – Gubeikou – Jinshanling

(~70 km)

Gubeikou – the Gubeikou Great Wall is located along the Yanshan Mountain range in the northeast of Miyun County, south of the hill country of Panlong Mountain and Wohu Mountain, Gubeikou Great Wall occupies a strategically important location which is difficult to access. Situated between Shanhaiguan Pass and Juyongguan Pass, and about 100 kilometers (62 miles) to Beijing, it is the bastion protecting the northern gateway to the capital.
The first section of the wall was built during the Northern Qi Dynasty (550-557). Centuries later, General Xuda ordered to rebuild it in the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The defensive capability of the wall was enhanced by adding more stones. When Qi Jiguang was appointed the chief commanding officer of Ji Garrison, he laid another line of brick wall beside the original one, thus forming the unique Gubeikou double-lined Wall.
Today the famous Gubeikou Great Wall stretches for more than 40 kilometers (25 miles). There are 14 beacon towers, 143 watch towers, 16 strategic pass, three citadels and many other military constructions. Many of them are famous cultural relics, such as the Big Flower Beacon Tower of the Northern Qi Dynasty, Fairy Tower, General Tower, and the dominant Wangjing Tower.
The Gubeikou Great Wall construction rates highly as an architectural achievement. The scenic highlights include Wohushan Great Wall and Panlongshan Great Wall.
Wohushan Great Wall
‘Wohu’ means ‘Crouching Tiger’ in English, because the mountain looks like two tigers, one lying on its back while the other lies on its stomach. Located in the western section of the Gubeikou Great Wall, its highest peak measures about 665 meters (2,181 feet). A watch tower is erected every 150 meters (492 feet) of the wall, overlooking a deep valley or mounted on a strategically important hilltop. A professor from Beijing University compares the Great Wall to a huge cursive script work with the watch towers providing the pausing or transitional strokes. It retains its fascination today as its raw condition is still evident.
Panlongshan Great Wall
West of Wohushan Great Wall, it is located in the middle section of Gubeikou Great Wall, where most of the historical wars took place. In ancient times, both warring parties placed emphasis on securing the Panlongshan Great Wall, because each knew that once the wall was captured, the Gubeikou Great Wall would be readily occupied. The whole wall measures about 13 kilometers (3.1 miles). Of its over 40 watch towers, the General Tower is the most famous. It is located at the commanding elevation of Panlongshan Mountain, from where wars were directed. There are four arrow windows on the north and south sides respectively, while each of the east and west sides has three arrow windows. This section of the wall is of unique construction: it is made up of earth walls, stone walls and brick walls. And it is also preserved in its original state.

Jinshanling – a section of the Great Wall of China located in the mountainous area 125 km northeast of  Beijing. It is connected with the Simatai section to the east. Some distance to the west lies the Mutianyu section. Jinshanling section of the wall was built from 1570 CE during the Ming Dynasty.
The section is 10.5 km long with 5 passes, 67 towers and 2 beacon towers. The initial section of the wall has been restored to original condition, but the condition of the wall deteriorates towards its natural state as it approaches Simatai. The entrance fee is 50 RMB. A cable car has been constructed to take visitors to the highest point along the wall. There is an additional admission charge of 50 RMB to continue on to the Simatai section, and a 5 RMB fee to cross the suspension bridge.

Day 3, 02.29, Wednesday

Jinshanling (back to G 101) – Bakeshiying – Hualougou – Pianqiao – Liangjianfang – Sanjianfang – Dongyingzi – Changshangu – Anziling – Sandaoliang – Jinjiagoumen – Wangyingzi – Fuyingzi – Pingfang – Chengde

(~100 km)

Day 4, 03.01, Thursday

rest day, visiting Chengde

Chengde – lying in the northeast of Hebei Province is close to Beijing, about 230 kilometers (140 miles) away. The topography of Chengde is mainly divided into plateau and mountainous regions.
Chengde, originally called Rehe was once the summer resort capital of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It holds rich culture related to this history as well as many historic relics dating as far back as the Neolithic Age in this city. Ethnic groups such as Xiongnu, Xianbei, Qidan, Nvzhen, and Mongolian once led a nomadic existence in this region from the Qin (221 BC-206) to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
As one of the first famous historic and cultural cities of the nation, Chengde has plenty of sceneries, with some of them being renowned both at home and abroad. The Mountain Resort and Eight Outer Temples are listed as the world cultural heritage sites, which have contributed towards Chengde being one of famous cities in the world.
While traveling in Chengde, you will have the opportunity to taste the unique local dishes and snacks, both of royal and folk flavors due to its historical links.

Day 5, 03.02, Friday

Chengde – (near Shanghancheng leaving G 101 and go to S 251) – Chengdexian – Kuancheng

(G 101, S 251 – 90 km)

Day 6, 03.03, Saturday

Kuancheng – Xiamengziling – Nianziyu – Badaohe – Qinglong

(hilly road, S 251 – 76 km)

Day 7, 03.04, Sunday

Qinglong – Shuanghanzi – Shanshenmiau – Haiyang – Shanhaiguan

(~40% hilly road and the rest is going down, S 251 – 120 km)

Day 8, 5.03, Monday

rest day, visiting Shanhaiguan (the eastern end of Great Wall touching the sea)

Shanhaiguan / Shanhai Pass – one of the major passes of the Great Wall of China. In 1961, Shanhaiguan became a site of China First Class National Cultural Site. It is a popular tourist destination, featuring the eastern end of the main line of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall.The place where the wall itself meets the Pacific Ocean (at the Bohai Sea) has been nicknamed the “Old Dragon’s Head.” It is nearly 300 kilometres (190 mi) east of Beijing.
Throughout Chinese history, it served as a frontier of defense against tribes from Manchuria.
For centuries, the pass guarded the narrow passage between Northeast and Central East China. In 1381, Ming general Xu Da constructed Shanhaiguan, named due to its position between mountain and the sea. Later, Ming general Qi Jiguang began fortification and construction of a military city around Shanhaiguan, building cities and forts to the east, south and north of the pass. Shanhaiguan became one of the most heavily fortified pass in China, and to this day, it is also one of the best preserved passes in the Great Wall.
There are two accounts regarding the battle of Shanhaiguan at the end of the Ming Dynasty. The more popular, romanticised version states: during the Ming Dynasty, general was about to surrender and join the rebel forces when he heard that his concubine had been taken by Li. Enraged, and convinced the Ming were doomed, he decided to cast his lot with the invading Manchu. He contacted the Manchu leader and as a result threw open the gates of Shanhaiguan to Manchu soldiers. Together Wu and the Manchus fought what has become known as the Battle of  Shanhai Pass against Li Zicheng. The victory by the Manchus hastened the end of not only of rebel Li but also of the Ming dynasty and firmly established the Manchus as the dominant power in China. The Manchus created China’s last dynasty, the Qing dynasty.
The second account of these events holds that Wu Sanggui surrendered to Li, but on his way to Peking, he learned of the disorderly state of the capital and of the massacres perpetrated by Li’s forces, as well as the murder of his own father. Enraged, he returned to Shanhaiguan and surrendered to the Manchu leaders. Wu’s forces then fought in the front lines against Li’s forces, deceiving them into believing the Manchus had not broken through. As a result, Manchu forces decimated Li’s forces, using a cloth attached to the uniforms of Sanggui’s troops as a way to differentiate friend from foe.
During the Qing era, Shanhaiguan, situated between Shenyang and Beijing, was referred to as the Key to the Capitals. During the Republic, as well as during the Eight-Nation Alliance and World War II, Shanhaiguan was the site of many conflicts.
The pass of Shanhaiguan is a square, with a perimeter of around 4 kilometers long. The walls reach a height of 14 meters, and are 7 meters thick. The east, south and north sides are surrounded by a deep, wide moat. There are drawbridges over the moat. In the middle of the pass stands a tall bell tower.
All four sides of Shanhaiguan had a gate: Zhendong (East), Ying’en (West), Wangyang (South), and Weiyuan (North). Due to disrepair over the centuries, only Zhendong gate still remains today. Zhendong Gate is the most important gate in Shanhaiguan due to its position, which faces outside the pass. Written on a board that hangs above the gate is an alternate name of Shanhai Pass, “First Pass Under the Heaven”.

Day 9, 03.06, Tuesday

Shanhaiguan – Wanija – Xidanzi – Qiansuo – Gaoling – Qianwei – Shahe – Suizhong – Wanghai – Shahousuo – Caozhuang – Xingcheng

(all the way is flat along the sea beach, could be windy and cold, G 102 – 115 km)

Day 10, 03.07, Wednesday

Xingcheng – Huludao – Tashan – Ganqiaozhen – Jinzhou

(all the way is flat along the sea beach, could be windy and cold , G 102 – 100 km)

Xingcheng – city of Northeast China with a population of approximately 140,000 urban inhabitants, and is located on the northern coast of the Bohai Sea. The area is steeped in history, and contains one of the best preserved Ming Dynasty towns in China, as well as functioning as a laidback summer resort.
It has a long and distinguished history, and was established as a county in CE 990. After being dissolved by the Yuan, it was resurrected during the Ming Dynasty under the name Ningyuan, and gained strategic importance as the first defensive outpost outside the Great Wall. Xingcheng’s city walls have stood since they were first constructed in 1428 and were instrumental in helping the Ming defeat the great Manchu commander at the pivotal Battle of  Ningyuan in 1626.
In modern times Xingcheng has become a mecca for those seeking relief from the bustling heat of summer in the overcrowded cities of Northern China. The town has attractive swimming beaches and is also blessed with natural hot springs, discovered during the Tang Dynasty. For this reason, a number of spa resorts and sanatoriums have sprung up and the town has been marketed as a health destination, and is frequented by groups of Party cadres on government sponsored training courses during the summer. Xingcheng is home to the largest island in the Bohai gulf, the beautiful and secluded Chrysanthemum Island, once a sanctuary for the Prince of Yan on the run from the ruthless Qin Shihuang. A boat provides access to the island from the passenger terminal at the wharf, where local fisherman dock.
The Xingcheng seaside draws quite a crowd for swimming and other water sports and recreational activities during the summer. Its entrance is marked by a large statue of a local goddess. A pier connecting reef-top pavilions and a temple are located at the south end of the beach.
The old town of Xingcheng is the best preserved of four Ming Dynasty cities in China that retain their original and complete city walls, and is a treasure trove of traditional Ming architecture, containing historical remnants such as the Confucius Temple, the oldest temple in Northeast China and the largest ancient building in Liaoning.
Shoushan, a mountain located in the east end of Xingcheng, is open to the public for recreation. Visitors can hike to its summit. The area around it features a temple on an adjacent hill.

Day 11, 08.08, Thursday

Jinzhou – Linghai – Jincherin – Qingshui – Dawa

(along the sea beach, G 102, 308 – 90  km)

Day 12, 03.09, Friday

Dawa – Tianzhuangtai – Shuiyuan – Yingkou – Gaizhou (Gai Xian)

(G 305 – 84 km)

Day 13, 03.10, Saturday

Gaizhou (Gai Xian) – Gaotun – Chenjiadian – Sanjiaodi – Xiuyan

(hilly road – ~90 km)

Day 14, 03.11, Sunday

Xiuyan – Yanghe – Tuchengzi – Gushan

(hilly road, S 321 – 80 km)

Day 15, 03.12, Monday

Gushan – Beijingzi – Dadong – Qianyang – Dandong

(along the sea beach, G 201 – 95 km)

Days 16-17, 03.13-14, Tuesday-Wednesday

rest days, visiting Dandong (another eastern end of Great Wall)

Dandong – previously known as Andong and Antung, is a city in Northeast China. It lies on the border between China and North Korea, which is marked by the Yalu River, and is the largest border city in China. Also, to the southwest of the city, the river flows into Korea Bay. The city has therefore had a dynamic history because of its strategic location for the northeast’s rich natural resources and because of its convenient access to the ocean. Dandong is designated a major export production center in Liaoning province, and a port city connected by rail with North Korea. The Hushan (Tiger Mountain) Great Wall, the far Eastern end of the Great Wall of China, is located here.
The area became known as Andong County in 1876. The name means “pacifying the east”, reflecting the power projection that China had over Korea at the time. It was occupied by Japan in 1894. During the  Machukuo era it was the capital of the province, one of the fourteen provinces established by Manchukuo. Then, in 1907, it was opened as a treaty port. It adopted its present name on January 20, 1965, which means “red east” to avoid connotation of its previous name, which was considered imperialistic by some. Recently, the city has been gaining influence in this region of China because of its market with North Korea and the government’s future plans to develop the city into a special “Border Economic Cooperation Zone” for export and import, in order to expand the country’s ability to conduct trade.
The city is across the river Sinŭiju from North Korea. The two cities are connected by the Sino-Korea Friendship Bridge, also called the China-Korea Friendship Bridge. Tourists can rent speed boats or passenger boats to approach the border and get a closer look at the North Korean city of Sinŭiju. North Koreans often gather close to the river’s edge, waving to foreigners as they cruise by. There is a rarely used ferries wheel in Sinŭiju that tourists are able to see from across the Yalu River. This is a highlight for tourists wishing to catch a glimpse of North Korea.
Other interesting tourist spots include: a museum dedicated to the “War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea” and Jinjiang mountain that is now the city’s biggest park, but used to be a Chinese army lookout.

Day 18, 03.15, Thursday

Dandong – 3 p.m. ferry (15 h) – Incheon (South Korea)