Walking The Great Wall of China

Our Clients’ Reviews

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Average Review Rating: from 53 reviews.

Julian Turner

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

Written October 2012
Excellent holiday on the whole with Jerry in particular being a real plus. The only let down was the guiding piece at Xian.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Walking on the wall and entering the Forbidden City.
What did you think of your group leader?
Jerry was excellent. The Xian guide was disappointing.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Definitely book the Xian extension to see the Terracotta Warriors.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The homestays were a lot of fun and the food generally very good.
RALPH LEVEY

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

Written October 2012
As my 8th trip with Exodus this ranks as one of the best. Walking on the more remote parts of the wall and overnighting at the homestays was such an amazing contrast to Beijing and Xi'an and offered a real opportunity to feel close to real rural life in China.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Too many to single out just one......
Seeing the Great Wall stretching out before us, especially on the Gubeikou to Jingshanling section
Visiting the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an and cycling the 14km of the Xi'an city walls
The homestays (particularly at Gubeikou) and the lovely fresh food

What did you think of your group leader?
Jerry (Wei Wei) was absolutely brilliant. He imparted so much knowledge about the places we visited including the Beijing hutongs where he shared memories of his own childhood. To have a guide with so much local knowledge, and such an excellent command of the English language, is exceptional. On the trickier sections of the Great Wall he was very watchful of all members of the group and was quick to lend a helping hand where necessary. We felt safe in his hands, not just with the walking on the wall, but with all the logistical arrangements of the trip, such as airport transfers.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Always read the trip notes!
Some sections of the wall are very steep and uneven but always worth the scramble.
Some of the homestays may lack home comforts but what an opportunity to experience real rural life.
Sign up for the Xi'an extension and visit the Terracotta Warriors and take the opportunity to cycle the 14km of the Xi'an city walls.
If you have time in Beijing don't be afraid to use the Metro. It's easier than you might expect.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Exodus trip number 8 was such a success that trip number 9 won't be long in following.
Kathryn Summers

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

Written October 2012
A brilliant experience, made all the better with excellent travel companions and Kevin, a superb leader.My eyes could not believe it sometimes. It has said before, but it is so awesome to see that snaking Wall, before you and after you.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The sunset at Gubeikou, we only had a short time, I did take a photo on the way up, beautiful, just as well, the sun beat us to it. a 2nd chance the next day, but cloudy.
I also added the Ix'an extension, absolutely worth it. The sight of those tombs!
What did you think of your group leader?
Kevin. An absolute diamond of a man. Nothing was too much trouble. he was always there with ideas and help.
On my free day after Beijing, I wanted to visit the Summer Palace. He arranged a taxi to collect me, make sure I knew directions for the subway home, maps etc. Catostrophe, the driver was involved in an accident, so, although on his day off, Kevin, phoned the hotel, got reception to message me, got me sorted with another driver etc. I had a wonderful day there, getting back in time to join my 4 fellow travellers for the Ix'an extension.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Go with the flow. The notes are absolutely correct. some accomadation is very basic, the first night on the Wall, especially, but the food was excellent. Take your wipes and sanitizer for sure. Quite cold too at night.
Be prepared for their version of a wet room! just wet everywhere. Your loo too.
That is, if it is not a squat one. start learning.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Again, my praise for Kevin. I had unfortunatly sustained an injury in my getting fit/prepared for the trek, so all fitness preparation had to be curtailed, say around 8 weeks before departure. So, I was poleaxed after the 2nd day. Kevin made sure I was OK all the time. Helping and assisting, as he did with the others in the group that required it. I decided to dip out on the second long day trek, my legs were just not responding, but again Kevin got me sorted. I was escorted by the coach driver to the end point, checked in and shown where I could walk at my leisure, this was at Jinshanling. another beautiful landscape. It rained and stormed here, the worst weather we experienced, but just showing what the country has to offer you.
Experience Fire Water, if only once. You are embracing China's drink. As a group we did it proud!
Caroline Spellman

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

Written October 2012
More like 'trekking' or 'scrambling over' the Great Wall - but a great experience! The food was wonderful, the people friendly, the scenery fantastic, the group supportive and our guide (Jerry (Wei Wei)) excellent!!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Walking the wall from Gubeikou as the overnight rain cleared and you could see layer after layer of mountains in every direction.
What did you think of your group leader?
Jerry was excellent. He was very informative but did not overload us with information. His own stories of growing up in Beijing were fascinating. Above all else he has a great personality with a fabulous sense of humour so is the sort of person you would happily spend time with. And the one-armed press-ups weren't bad!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
It is best to be reasonably fit before embarking on this trip. It was more challenging than I expected and while I thoroughly enjoyed it, it is best to get in some practice walking up and down steps beforehand!
October was a perfect time to do this walk if you like clear fresh weather. It was at about 19 celsius during the day but down near zero at night. The sun shone for us every day so the views were great.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This was my first walking holiday and I really did choose a good one. It has encouraged me to do similar trips and our guide inspired me to find out more about China and its other interesting landscapes. I'll be back.
Phyllis Ryan

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

Written September 2012
In the main this trip was excellent. However there are a few things I need to comment on. When I arrived at Beijing Airport, I and one other person, were met by a non English speaking taxi driver who dropped us off at the hotel. We had problems booking in as we had no reference other than what had been sent to us, and there were 3 Exodus trips starting from there. We had been expecting to be met by our tour guide, but he arrived much later with the rest of our group. On another note, we were not told that we would be rock climbing on the second day. I take it that this part was the "challenging" part of the trip, but as it is not mentioned in the trip notes, it came as a surprise. However, we all rose to the challenge, and looking back, enjoyed the experience. The only other thing I need to raise is that although the tomb of Empress Dowager Cixi is mentioned in the trip notes, we don't visit it, which is disappointing.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
All of our days on the Great Wall were excellent, and I wouldn't have missed the experience for the world.
What did you think of your group leader?
Jerry (Wai) is a very good tour guide, and does his best to accomodate everyone in the group, and goes out of his way to do it.
Jackey, our tour guide in Xian did his best to accomodate the two of us while we were there, but as there were demonstrations, the Drum and Bell Towers, and City Wall were closed, so we were unable to do what we really wanted, while there. However, our trip to the Terracotta Warriors was excellent.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepared for rock climbing on the second day on the wall.
Iain Hooker

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

Written September 2012
The days spent trekking were simply fantastic, drinking in the grandeur of the wall and spending the evenings in remote home stays getting a glimpse of what China looks like outside of the cities. As the trip takes you away from the main tourist areas so you get to enjoy the experience with your own thoughts. Also the food was absolutely brilliant - assuming you like spicy Chinese food! I normally tend towards independent travel, but I can’t see how you could easily replicate this experience independently. I thought Exodus did very well with the trip structure though personally I would have liked longer days trekking and more time on the wall The Xian Extension was disappointing, though the Terracotta Army visit was amazing. Knowing what I know now, I’d have gone to Xian independently after the main trip ended. I don’t think for this part of the trip that Exodus really added to the experience.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Towards the end of the first day on the wall when you leave the tourist section behind you gain a better perspective of its enormous scale as you see wall snaking off into the distance perched at the top of impossibly steep ridges (and the following day when you come back and try to climb those impossibly steep sections)
What did you think of your group leader?
Jerry for the Great Wall section was very good, answering questions and offering encouragement. I could have done without his ‘specially arranged tour’ which was accommodated by merging two days into one. I don’t begrudge him the extra income, but I’m less of a fan of the organised tours when it’s more than possible to navigate yourself round the same sites without sitting for several hours in traffic. Despite protestations that it’s difficult to get around Beijing, it’s actually very easy
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Fitness - It was challenging at times though no more so than trekking in the Peak or Lake Districts. Heights - If you don’t like heights (as I don’t) you may find yourself challenged by the 2nd day on the wall. It was on the edge of what I, and many in the group, found acceptable and I would be uncomfortable tackling that day’s walking in wet conditions. However, having overcome my fears, the sense of achievement on completing the climbs was amazing. Essentials Items –The old Favourite - Toilet Paper, and Poles (when wet) – I found the poles invaluable, as to get off the wall you need to descend down the very steep sides of the hills and that’s often a very muddy and slippery experience. Packing advice - people in the group received different advice i.e. whether to bring a sleeping bag or not (not necessary). I don’t know if the temperature was unseasonal for my early September Trip but I personally didn’t need the fleece or thermals I was advised to bring, though some people did wear fleeces in the evening, keeping cool was more of a problem that getting cold.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I’ve mentioned that the Xian experience wasn’t that great, though the Terracotta Army experience was amazing. I accept there were issues at the time we went, only two of us chose this extension and many attractions were closed due to public demonstrations and I suppose we should be thankful that we still got to see the Terracotta Army. However, when we arrived in Xian it had been known for 2 days that most of the city attractions were closed so our guide asking us ‘what we wanted to do instead’ at that point wasn’t that helpful. With that 2 day’s notice, we could have made alternative plans (it was clear that the Xian Guide didn’t think that was down to him in any way). Therefore the tour walking round closed attractions was less than fulfilling. This contributed to the feeling that I’d have been better off organising that section of the tour myself; it probably would have been cheaper too.
Frances Leech

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

Written September 2012
Fantastic trip , each section seemed like a new holiday eg our first few days in Bejing, The Great Wall, and Zian.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
For me the best part was the walk along the wall , looking forward and back at the winding wall and the beautiful scenery away from all the tourist , we felt like we were the only group there and so it was very special. It was great to come back to homesteads in the evening to lovely hosts , comfortabe accomadation and excellent food.
It was good for the soul.
WE had two extra days in Bejing and were put up in a hotel on outskirts of city, some of us went for a walk and i have great memories of strolling through a corn field and wanting the holiday to continue.
What did you think of your group leader?
Kevin , Our group leader was outstanding , very caring and protective , always on duty 24x7 throughout the whole holiday. Nothing was too much trouble for him and catered for everyones needs 100%.
Kevin was also very informative re wall etc and had a great sense of humour , his english was excellent.
Kevin got to know all our likes and dislikes re food and could order all our food for us , which made our meals all the more enjoyable.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Our guide Kevin very quickly got to know our taste re food etc and would talk to host in homesteads to make sure everyone was catered for. Bring half of the clothes you think you might need.
The only down side of the holiday was that through no fault of our own we missed a connection from Bejing on the way home and spent 2 extra days in China, our flight from Zian to Bejing was delayed and hence we missed the connection so make sure and check your own flight times when booking , that if there should be a delay that you will still have time for connection or have insurance to cover same.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I will go back to China, The Terraccota warriors were a wonderful sight , Zian a lovely town , here we cycled the wall and had a lovely day.
Untill the next time .