• Along The Great Wall

• A journey along the route of the Great Wall of China takes you into some very interesting areas. Along the general route of the wall is probably more interesting than actually sticking to the actual wall the whole way - though there have been a few hardy and dedicated followers to complete the 6000+ kilometres. A rough figure as many walls exist and just as many ways of counting the distances on the sections.

  The Great Wall of China is generally accepted as starting at Shanhiaguan on the east coast and ending at Jiayuguan in Gansu Province. There are those that contend that sections further east and further west should also be included.

  The Great Wall existed as sections of rammed-earth wall before being joined up at the behest of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. Much of what we recognise as Great Wall though date back to the Ming Dynasty when sections of the wall were strengthened by very special bricks and clever construction. The actual sections visited by tourists are often restorations of these sections

  There are sections of the wall in:

  • Hebei Province;
  • Beijing Municipality;
  • Shanxi Province;
  • Shaanxi Province;
  • Ningxi Hui Autonomous Region; and
  • Gansu Province; and

  If you accept the wider definition of the Great Wall then there are also sections in:

  • Liaoning;
  • Jilin;
  • (some say) Heilongjiang; and
  • Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

  That list provides ample scope for further research and detailed plans.

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• Current Comments

  2 comments so far (post your own)

  Bernard
  
  Unfortunately camping close to the Great Wall is not encouraged because a number of thoughless people have done so and had a negative impact. Camping in China is not really popular - there being issues getting properly registered along the way etc.
  
  We suggest you check out Shapotou near Zhongwei. This is on the Yellow River and a place where you can find sheep-skin rafting as well as other outdoor adventures. There are sections of the Great Wall nearby too.

  Posted by China Journeys on Thu 19 Apr, 2012

  Are you aware of any sections of wall that can be hiked, camping along the way? Ideally the return route would be along a river by raft or boat.

  Posted by Bernard on Wed 18 Apr, 2012

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