Day 1 → Meet up in Taiyuan
All day
【About Collection】
Tourists are welcome to fly to Taiyuan from all over the world to gather. There are no activities scheduled on this day, so the whole day is for gathering time.
Taiyuan is an ancient city with over 4,700 years of history, including 2,500 years of city construction. Stroll through Taiyuan's city center or visit the Shanxi Museum or Bronze Museum to experience the rich history of this northern gateway to the Central Plains. You can also sample the wide variety of Shanxi noodles, marveling at the sheer variety of cooking methods. In the evening, stroll along the Fen River and admire the city's nightscape.
Tips for tourists
1. During the free time, please pay attention to safety and you can travel in groups. The tour leader will inform everyone of the meeting time the next morning.
2. In the evening, the tour leader will have a small pre-trip meeting with all tourists at the meeting hotel to briefly introduce the itinerary. (Tourists arriving later don't need to worry, our tour leader will also find time to talk to you individually about the precautions during the itinerary)
3. Please make a note when ordering trekking poles. If you do not make a note, you will not be able to rent them.
4. This route is an outdoor route, and the hiking sections are all in the wild. Those with no sports experience or those who are afraid of heights should not sign up!
5. This route requires you to get up early. The departure time is 7:00-7:30 on weekdays and 6:30-7:00 on holidays. Please report with caution if you mind!
6. The accommodation environment in the mountains on the last night is poor, please do not compare it with that in big cities. If you mind, please report it with caution!
Day 2 Taiyuan → Old Guangwu Ancient City → Guangwu Ming Great Wall → Datong
All day
[Light hike on the Inner Great Wall]
A must-see for yourself is the Guangwu Great Wall, a remarkable example of the Shanxi Great Wall and a treasure of China's Great Wall.
The Guangwu Great Wall, the ancient dragon of Shanxi, winds its way through the mountains, telling the story of history's ups and downs. In the morning light, it stands guard silently; in the setting sun, its golden glow reflects the traces of time. The remains of the "Moon Gate" reveal the beauty of history in its broken state. At night, the Great Wall returns to tranquility, where the sound of the wind interweaves with the echoes of history. Every step, every glance, every touch is a dialogue with history and a cultural legacy. This place, closely linked to Yanmen Pass, has always been a battleground for military strategists, known as the "Key to the Northern Gate." The Guangwu Great Wall, the Han Tombs, and the Old Guangwu City—three national treasures—demonstrate a complete Ming Dynasty border defense system, arguably the largest and most comprehensive collection of border military and cultural structures in China.
Arrive in Datong in the evening and explore the ancient city and city walls, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of Datong. Enjoy a variety of Datong delicacies, including fried skewers, sliced noodles, mutton soup, and fried cakes.
Tips for tourists
1. Hiking section: Old Guangwu Ancient City - Ming Inner Great Wall - New Guangwu
2. Hiking distance: about 8km, cumulative climbing: about 500m, cumulative descent: about 350m, estimated time: about 4 hours
3. Take precautions against sun and dust while traveling.
Day 3 Datong → Zhenchuankou → Hongci Fort → Desheng Fort → Zhenning Hollow Arrow Tower → Bataizi Our Lady Church → Youyu
All day
[Light hike on the Great Wall]
The Great Wall stretches a thousand miles, and on either side of it are my hometowns. This is the song "The Ballad of the Great Wall," a song familiar to all Chinese people. Yesterday we witnessed the majestic spectacle of the Great Wall, and today we gaze upon it and walk together. Here, you can feel the Great Wall's grandeur and desolation, and experience the profound weight of history: its imposingness, its desolation, its tragic grandeur, and its dilapidated appearance. Walking along the wall, gazing at the piers, one after another, stretching into the distance, the winding wall comes into view, and it seems as if you can hear them silently telling of the distant past, bearing witness to the tragic history and present. In the evening, the hike ends, and we return to the warmth of modern times, but the majesty of the Great Wall and the profound weight of history remain in our hearts.
【Great Wall Deep Experience】
After the hike, we headed west, admiring the Great Wall along Great Wall Highway 1. With no cars or people along the way, our only companions were the Great Wall and the scenery around us. We paused to admire the beautiful scenery, and when we felt like taking photos, we grabbed our cameras. Desheng Fort, Zhenning Hollow Arrow Tower, and Our Lady of Bataizi Church were all worth stopping to savor. In short, our entire day was spent wandering the Great Wall, enjoying the warmth of the moment!
Desheng Fort, an ancient Ming Dynasty border fortress located in Datong City, Shanxi Province, bears the weight of history and a fusion of culture. It served not only as a fortified military bulwark but also as a key trading hub for Mongolian and Han Chinese exchanges. Though the wars and prosperity of the past have faded, Desheng Fort, with its majestic presence, still silently tells the story of the frontier fortress's past, becoming a valuable legacy for exploring the cultural and historical evolution of the Great Wall.
The Zhenning Hollow Arrow Tower, a military masterpiece of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall, stands tall on the Shanxi-Inner Mongolia border. Its sturdy stone foundation and blue brick walls embody the military wisdom of Qi Jiguang. This tower is the best-preserved hollow arrow tower west of Juyongguan. Internal stairs connect the upper and lower levels, and arrow windows are scattered around the perimeter, providing an optimal defensive view. From the tower, panoramic views of the northern scenery unfold. Here, history and nature intertwine, allowing one to experience the majesty of the Great Wall and the depth of its history. (Climbing to the summit is prohibited due to protection measures.)
The Bataizi Our Lady Church, a relic of Gothic architecture, quietly stands guard beside the Great Wall in Zuoyun, Shanxi. Built in 1876, this church symbolizes the fusion of Chinese and Western cultures and bears witness to history. Despite the scars of time, it still stands shoulder to shoulder with the Great Wall, telling of its past glory and vicissitudes. Bataizi Our Lady Church is not only a sacred place of faith but also a mark of time, attracting pilgrims every year to experience the tranquility and solemnity that transcends time and space.
Tips for tourists
1. Hiking section: Zhenchuankou - Shiwupo - Xisi - Shiyiyao - Hongcibao
2. Hiking distance: about 12 km, cumulative climbing: about 250 meters, cumulative descent: about 350 meters, estimated time: about 5 hours
3. Take precautions against sun and dust while traveling.
Day 4 Youyu → Yangjiachuan Grand Canyon → Qingshui River Laoniuwan → Shanxi Pianguan Laoniuwan
All day
【Yellow River Canyon Light Hiking】
We are heading west along the Great Wall. The Great Wall is about to meet the Yellow River, and we are about to shake hands with the Yellow River.
Yangjiachuan Grand Canyon, a natural treasure of the Qingshui River, is renowned for its precipitous cliffs and the unique rocks at its base. Its scenery changes with each season: vibrant spring, cool summer, vibrant autumn, and desolate winter. Deep within the canyon, gurgling mountain springs and dotted with ancient fortresses of the Great Wall create a captivating natural landscape, inspiring awe at the grandeur and mystery of nature.
Today we'll hike to Laoniuwan Scenic Area in Inner Mongolia, then travel by car to Laoniuwan, Shanxi, where we'll spend the night. In the evening, we'll sit by the Yellow River, watching the sun set as rosy clouds illuminate the sky. We'll savor a delicious feast (featuring unique flavors of the Yellow River), share a glass of wine, and share cherished moments.
Tips for tourists
1. Hiking section: Yangjiachuan Grand Canyon - Qingshui River Laoniuwan
2. Hiking distance: about 9km, cumulative ascent: about 200m, cumulative descent: about 250m, estimated time: about 5h
3. Take precautions against sun and dust while traveling.
4. Please treat accommodation with a normal attitude. The accommodation provided by farmers in mountainous areas is simple and clean. Please bring your own toiletries.
Day 5 Shanxi Laoniuwan → Yellow River Cruise → Great Wall Tourist Highway No. 1 Starting Point (0km) → Qiankunwan → Taiyuan (Disband)
All day
【Deep Experience of the Yellow River】
You can get up in the morning to watch the sunrise and enjoy a sunrise over the Yellow River (the time of sunrise viewing is free depending on the weather conditions of the day).
Take a Yellow River speedboat to visit Laoniuwan of the Yellow River and experience the thrill of drifting on the sea (the specific time is subject to the opening of cruise ships in the scenic area on the day, and no refunds are available for cruise fees).
Visit Shanxi's Laoniuwan Scenic Area, a miraculous spot where the Yellow River meets the Great Wall, renowned for its magnificent natural landscape and rich historical heritage. Here, the winding Yellow River and the winding Great Wall create a captivating landscape. Laoniuwan Fort, a Ming Dynasty military relic, bears witness to the vicissitudes of history, while Wanghe Tower, perched on the banks of the Yellow River, tells the story of the border's past. This land, the birthplace of Yellow River civilization and the site of a Three Kingdoms battle, is rich in cultural heritage and natural wonders.
Afterwards, we'll head to the 0km mark of Great Wall Highway 1 and visit Qiankun Bay, a new Shanxi tourism landmark. Here, the Yellow River carves a magnificent "S"-shaped bend, resembling a Tai Chi diagram between heaven and earth. Standing on the bay's edge, you can experience the Yellow River's grandeur and gentle beauty, as well as the rich history of the confluence of the Great Wall and the Yellow River.
We gathered around 11:30 AM to return to Taiyuan, where we were first taken to Wusu Airport and then to Taiyuan South Railway Station. We were reluctant to leave, and we exchanged tearful goodbyes! Our Great Wall and Yellow River hiking trip had concluded successfully. This journey was filled with sweat and memories, and even years later, when we look back on it, it will remain vivid in our minds. Our gains have long been etched in our hearts.
【Special Reminder】
We expect to arrive at Wusu Airport around 17:00, Taiyuan South Railway Station around 17:30, and Taiyuan Railway Station around 18:00. We recommend that you book flights or trains after 19:00. If your flight does not coincide with the airport/station drop-off time or you have other travel arrangements, we will disband the group at Taiyuan Station and will not arrange separate airport/station drop-off services. Thank you for your understanding!
Important reminder!!! During holidays such as May Day and National Day, there may be traffic jams during peak return trips. To avoid delays, please purchase flights or high-speed trains later than the ones noted on this page. Thank you for your understanding!
