Tour with a private driver and a guide was perfect to spend a day hiking from Simatai West (as Simatai was closed) to Jinshanling

It took me several hours to traverse this stunning piece of history. I went on a Sunday and the crowd was so light there were times I didn't see anyone for 10+ minutes. And I was able to get lots of pictures of the Great Wall with nobody in them!!!

Although I arrived in Beijing with the idea of doing this trip, after asking in a few places with negative answers we were almost accepting to go to Mutianyu or Badaling, the more touristic places. We found in Nanloguxiang street a hostel that offered this trip (Beijing Downtown Backpackers Hostel) and took it right away. It was a great decision.... More

This is the best part of the Wall. Not many people do this sction as it's the longest part but worth it as you can take some amazing pictures with no one in them to ruin the view

Couldn't recommend Great Wall Hiking any more enthusiastically! Excellent service. Always received same-day replies from Gary in my email communication and questions leading up to the booking. Including an email just days before the booked hike, when I emailed to inform Gary that I had a recent knee injury and climbing would be difficult - I asked for a change... More

We booked this tour with the Beijing Downtown Backpackers Hostel and were very happy with the tour. We paid when we arrived at the hostel and the bus was ready and on time. It was a comfortable mini-bus with about 20 passengers. This was not a guided tour, and no guide is leading the group. but the guide on the... More

We hiked this section with a tour from Beijing Downtown Backpackers and it was a great day. Its a long 3hr drive there but well worth it to see both the restored and original sections of the wall with little to no other tourists and only a few people trying to sell you trinkets. It is absolutely amazing.

Hiking Jin Shan Ling Booked a tour with Beijing Downtown backpackers, easy to arrange on their web-site, no need to pay until we turn up at 08:30. Had to phone to reconfirm our place before 18:00 the day before. Turned up at 08:15 and paid the man in the hostel 280 RMB pp. This cost included the entrance cost to... More

We went by car arranged from hotel, good,new car with seat belts working. We left at 7 Monday AM and arrived at 9 AM, the wall was really magnificent and we walked on it for 2 hours and met one other family, so it was totally empty. The wall has many towers some steep walking and excellent mountain views.