WildWall Tours
WildWall Tours
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About
Your host, William Lindesay O.B.E, is world renowned expert on the Great Wall of China. He can take guests to parts of the 'wild wall', a term he invented to describe Great Wall that is not rebuilt for tourism. Wildwall trips fuses history and hiking, providing a unforgettable attachment to a true wonder. Day tours available, open to special requests.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
5.0
82 reviews
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82
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Katrina
2 contributions
Sep 2020 • Friends
I thoroughly enjoyed my weekend tour with WildWall. A wonderfully informative and interesting two days, filled with spectacular and challenging hiking and warm hospitality from William and Qi, their sons Jimmy and Tommy, and their black lab Hadrian. The best way I can imagine to experience the Great Wall, accompanied by the absolute expert on the subject. Highly recommended.
Written September 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SwissMountainMan
London, UK63 contributions
Oct 2019
So any tour, hotel, restaurant having just excellent reviews always raises an eyebrow but I can absolutely say the day with William (and his son the following day) was inspiring, great fun and meant that I got to see parts of the Wall and Beijing that I would never have seen. William is one of the world's leading experts on the Wall and was able to make it come fully alive. On a four hour tour we saw one other person - the remoteness and beauty of the Wild Wall was captured and shared. I am sure the touristy part of the wall is for some but the wild wall is just so much more real, beautiful and exciting
Written October 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah
3 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
This was an incredible treat and the highlight of my trip. Just a few hours away from the big bustle of Beijing, we delved deeply into beautifully luscious and peaceful nature while getting an intimately personal experience of the wonder of the Great Wall. Will is the real deal--being the first foreigner to ever scale the entire length of the wall--with deep knowledge and first-hand experience of off-the-beaten-path spots...as, of course, fascinating stories and insightful narrative.
Best of all, he and his family make the most delicious meals, suitable even for my vegetarian diet! As well, their lovely lodging makes for a comfortable stay, fully equipped for everything we needed for a wondrous weekend.
It's the kind of trip I would love to repeat but opt for an even longer duration next time.
Best of all, he and his family make the most delicious meals, suitable even for my vegetarian diet! As well, their lovely lodging makes for a comfortable stay, fully equipped for everything we needed for a wondrous weekend.
It's the kind of trip I would love to repeat but opt for an even longer duration next time.
Written July 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Todd L
12 contributions
Mar 2018 • Business
Had an overnight trip to visit the wall and stay with the Lindesays at their home outside of Beijing. The trip was absolutely authentic and a great way to get to experience the wall away from the crowds, panhandlers, and modernizations which have been built up at a number of the touristy areas.
William and his family are all experts on the wall and have a wealth of knowledge about the landscape, history, and strategy associated with the many great walls of China.
Waking up early for a sunrise hike was an especial treat and the icing on the cake was that it started to snow just as we reached the wall to explore. Definitely plan to return and will be staying for much longer next time!
William and his family are all experts on the wall and have a wealth of knowledge about the landscape, history, and strategy associated with the many great walls of China.
Waking up early for a sunrise hike was an especial treat and the icing on the cake was that it started to snow just as we reached the wall to explore. Definitely plan to return and will be staying for much longer next time!
Written March 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Istanbulred
Suzhou, China44 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
My parents in their early 70s and I (46) woke up at 3am to hike up a dark mountain to see the Wild Wall with William’s son, Jimmy at the break of dawn: what an unbelievable accomplishment for all of us non-hikers! Jimmy was patient and knowledgeable and led us there and back in just over six hours.
As for the rest of our stay, the hospitality was stellar, with the arranged pick-up I Beijing, the loan of extra sweaters when we discovered how cold it was, the wine on offer and fireplace lit each evening, the amazing five-star dishes served up at each meal; we couldn’t have asked for a better Great Wall of China experience! My parents and I will never forget it, and we will highly recommend the Lindesay family to everyone.
As for the rest of our stay, the hospitality was stellar, with the arranged pick-up I Beijing, the loan of extra sweaters when we discovered how cold it was, the wine on offer and fireplace lit each evening, the amazing five-star dishes served up at each meal; we couldn’t have asked for a better Great Wall of China experience! My parents and I will never forget it, and we will highly recommend the Lindesay family to everyone.
Written May 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John Macdonald
New Plymouth, New Zealand2 contributions
Oct 2018 • Family
A hike through the autumn woods in rural Beijing and then the Great Wall looms above us -- my 6-year-old son and I were blown away with one awesome view of the Wall after another. This really is off the beaten track and totally awe-inspiring. William, Jimmy and Tommy really brought history alive too with their expertise and insight, and Wu Qi is the perfect hostess. We trekked the Wall over three perfect autumn days, and we'd like to see it in all the other seasons too.
Written December 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom P
Liverpool, UK19 contributions
Oct 2018 • Solo
From a recent trip I think this is a high end professional Great Wall adventure company. A family run business with great passion and enthusiasm. I was initially concerned this was just a typical tour business with no really customer centered care.
From first hand experience, I can assure you they take the utmost care, consideration and safety of your experience on the wall. They provide you with a very heartfelt and warm family environment to accommodate you when staying near to the wall. The accommodation is basic but more than meets your needs.
The most endeavouring hosts who provided plenty of food and drink, and all the essentials to make you feel welcome. Williams wife Chi (hopefully I have spelt that correctly, apologies if not), was always kind and respectful of your needs and paid such attention to detail. They a cook on site who produces excellent Chinese food.
You will be made to feel as a part of their family which is a big part of the trip too.
My guide on the wall was Williams son Jimmy and just like his brother Tommy, both intelligent, polite and well brought up, I always felt safe on the wall and could approach them with questions. I would suggest doing some step hill walking before you go just to get your leg muscles flexed and ready for action.
I met a fantastic group of people who were also walking the wall with me. The locations taken provide an excellent view of the wall and the surrounding mountain area. China has such a beautiful country side it shouldn't be missed.
I would highly recommend this tour and if anyone wants to message me about the above review please feel free to do so, or even better contact William.
Simon
From first hand experience, I can assure you they take the utmost care, consideration and safety of your experience on the wall. They provide you with a very heartfelt and warm family environment to accommodate you when staying near to the wall. The accommodation is basic but more than meets your needs.
The most endeavouring hosts who provided plenty of food and drink, and all the essentials to make you feel welcome. Williams wife Chi (hopefully I have spelt that correctly, apologies if not), was always kind and respectful of your needs and paid such attention to detail. They a cook on site who produces excellent Chinese food.
You will be made to feel as a part of their family which is a big part of the trip too.
My guide on the wall was Williams son Jimmy and just like his brother Tommy, both intelligent, polite and well brought up, I always felt safe on the wall and could approach them with questions. I would suggest doing some step hill walking before you go just to get your leg muscles flexed and ready for action.
I met a fantastic group of people who were also walking the wall with me. The locations taken provide an excellent view of the wall and the surrounding mountain area. China has such a beautiful country side it shouldn't be missed.
I would highly recommend this tour and if anyone wants to message me about the above review please feel free to do so, or even better contact William.
Simon
Written October 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
meltzer2018
Cape Town, South Africa1 contribution
May 2018 • Couples
My husband and I had the privilege of experiencing the Great Wall with William and his son Tommy as our guides. Accompanied on these walks by their beautiful labrador Hadrian, we would start our days early enough to see the sunrise illuminate the wall.
Information was nourishing, and we were entertained with their excellent delivery of facts and stories. Their passion for the wall is evident and infectious. All arrangements were seamless. Qi made us feel incredibly welcome and at home. Meals were relaxed, authentic and delicious. We also loved the wild, clean air and village surroundings - a nice break from the mayhem of the cities. We will treasure our Great Wall experience forever.
Information was nourishing, and we were entertained with their excellent delivery of facts and stories. Their passion for the wall is evident and infectious. All arrangements were seamless. Qi made us feel incredibly welcome and at home. Meals were relaxed, authentic and delicious. We also loved the wild, clean air and village surroundings - a nice break from the mayhem of the cities. We will treasure our Great Wall experience forever.
Written June 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lowell Specht
Manchester, TN11 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
My experience hiking the Great Wall with William Lindesay was everything I hoped it would be. This was my first trip to China and I visited both Mutianyu tourist wall and the Wilderness wall hike with William Lindesay. While the tourist wall was good, I will always remember my hike with William. I had not trained for the hike and he was patient with me and gave me some good pointers along the way. I got to see first hand the views he shows on his website. The food provided at his farm was excellent. The accommodations at the barracks are not five star but instead what one should expect for a hiking tour. The weather was good the day of my hike but May might not be the best month because of the rain. William, is an expert on the great walls in China and loves sharing that knowledge with those who are interested.
Written May 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Douglas v
London, UK25 contributions
Nov 2017 • Solo
I wanted to learn. Not just see it. William Lindesay OBE, runs Wild Wall Experiences and personally led the weekend. Wow, what a privilege to spend time on the Wall in his company.
You can visit the Wall - vanilla style where most tourists go - or get William to add flavour and colour and 3-D to the experience! His knowledge and passion for the subject is obvious and this all backed up by the books he has written and the documentaries he has produced (his sons are drone photography wizards!).
Picked up in Beijing at my hotel on a Friday afternoon and driven out to the Barracks in the Yen Shan (Swallow Mountains) - comfortable, clean accommodation (not luxurious) and home style Chinese cooking.
November was cold - freezing - so dress accordingly. Inside the wood burner added to the warm hospitality.
Two early walks up to the Wall in time to see the sunrise from the ramparts. A Saturday afternoon stroll through the forest. Fresh country air, spectacular views of the never-ending wall and the pleasure of listening to historical explanations of what is one of the Wonders of our World.
Sunday afternoon was a reluctant departure back to the hotel in Beijing.
On the weekend a French family joined and I was really impressed the way their 9 year old daughter and her 2 older brothers managed the climb and the full hike along the Wall. Younger kids may find it difficult - check with William.
Don't even think of seeing the Wall any other way. Oh, William's son Jim (a Beijing University graduate) is a great guide too - he met me at the airport when I flew in, took me to the hotel and then showed me around the Forbidden City in the afternoon. I'd recommend him anytime.
You can visit the Wall - vanilla style where most tourists go - or get William to add flavour and colour and 3-D to the experience! His knowledge and passion for the subject is obvious and this all backed up by the books he has written and the documentaries he has produced (his sons are drone photography wizards!).
Picked up in Beijing at my hotel on a Friday afternoon and driven out to the Barracks in the Yen Shan (Swallow Mountains) - comfortable, clean accommodation (not luxurious) and home style Chinese cooking.
November was cold - freezing - so dress accordingly. Inside the wood burner added to the warm hospitality.
Two early walks up to the Wall in time to see the sunrise from the ramparts. A Saturday afternoon stroll through the forest. Fresh country air, spectacular views of the never-ending wall and the pleasure of listening to historical explanations of what is one of the Wonders of our World.
Sunday afternoon was a reluctant departure back to the hotel in Beijing.
On the weekend a French family joined and I was really impressed the way their 9 year old daughter and her 2 older brothers managed the climb and the full hike along the Wall. Younger kids may find it difficult - check with William.
Don't even think of seeing the Wall any other way. Oh, William's son Jim (a Beijing University graduate) is a great guide too - he met me at the airport when I flew in, took me to the hotel and then showed me around the Forbidden City in the afternoon. I'd recommend him anytime.
Written May 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
oliver davies
Beijing, China
I am sorry if this sounds a bit dumb, but I am considering booking a tour / trip with Wild Wall, but I cannot find ANY place on their website or anywhere else to actually look at the trips, their prices and enquire and book a tour. How would I go about contacting them to book a trip? Kind regards, Oliver
Tom P
Liverpool, UK19 contributions
Hi there,
You're not being dumb ha ha. I was the same at first when looking through their website.
If you try this email he should respond william wildwall com (put the at sign inbetween william and wildwall and then a . inbetween the wall and com). It wouldn't me send it otherwise with that in for some reason ha.
I know his sons are running it more now. But they are two very professional young fellas so always take your safety into account.
Hope that helps.
SummerMom5
Thousand Oaks, CA19 contributions
Hi, I'm trying to contact William to inquire about planning an upcoming trip. I've sent two emails to the email listed on their webset, but they've been kicked back with this message: The server responded with "554" - "554 Reject by content spam\r\n"
Does anyone who's been in contact with the Lindesays have a better suggestion as how to contact them?
Thank you kindly,
Anita Cohen
Anthony K
Hong Kong, China204 contributions
I have asked him to contact you ! Good Luck - he’s brilliant ! Anthony
