3 Days Camping on the Great Wall of China

Camping on the Great Wall of China is one of the world's most extraordinary overnight experiences — sleeping among ancient watchtowers with nothing but stars above and mountains stretching to the horizon. While most visitors see the Wall at crowded tourist sections like Badaling, this five-day itinerary takes you to the wild, unrestored sections between Jinshanling and Gubeikou where you can hike for hours without seeing another person. The Great Wall stretches over 13,000 miles across northern China, and the sections near Beijing offer the most accessible wild camping. Jinshanling is the sweet spot — partially restored enough to be safe, wild enough to feel remote. Set up camp in a crumbling watchtower as the sun sets and wake to sunrise painting the wall golden as it snakes across ridgelines into the mist. This trip also includes Beijing's greatest hits: the Forbidden City's 9,999 rooms, the Temple of Heaven's perfect geometry, and a hutong food tour through the old alleyways where Beijing's street food culture thrives. The contrast between ancient imperial grandeur and the raw, crumbling beauty of the wild wall is what makes this trip special. Note that camping on the wall exists in a gray area — it's not officially permitted but is widely practiced with local guides. Going with an experienced operator ensures safety and responsible camping. Bring a warm sleeping bag even in summer — watchtowers get cold at night. This is bucket-list travel at its most authentic.