Embark on a private hiking adventure to explore the majestic Qing East Tomb and the historic Huangyaguan Great Wall. Discover the largest and best-preserved tomb complexes for royal families in China, and experience the thrill of visiting the international Great Wall marathon site.
- Eastern Royal Tombs of the Qing Dynasty - Begin your journey at 8:00am. After approximately 2.5 hours of driving, you will reach the Eastern Royal Tombs of the Qing Dynasty. Explore the Yuling tomb, which belongs to Qianlong, the longest-reigning Qing emperor. This tomb, which took over 50 years to construct, is exceptionally magnificent. It consists of three chambers with four doors, arranged in the shape of the Chinese character “Zhu,” meaning “ruler.” The marble carvings on the walls and ceilings are of significant artistic value. Noteworthy features include the eight bodhisattvas, four devarajas, small buddhas, and Buddhist sutras inscribed in Sanskrit and Tibetan. The tomb of Empress Dowager Cixi, Dingdongling, stands out for its technical and artistic excellence. The central ramp leading to the main hall is adorned with a carving of a dragon and a phoenix playing with a pearl in the clouds, with the phoenix positioned above the dragon, contrary to the usual pattern. The inner walls of the main and side halls are decorated with gold leaf featuring a design of bats, symbolizing good luck, and the Chinese character for “happiness.”
- Great Wall at Huangya Pass (Huangyaguan Changcheng) - Travel to the Huangyaguan Pass for lunch at a local restaurant. The Huangyaguan Pass of the Great Wall is situated in the mountainous region of Tianjin’s northern Ji County. Historically, there were 18 passes and barracks, with Huangyaguan Pass being the most significant. It was initially constructed in 556 A.D. When the renowned general Qi Jiguang of the Ming dynasty was appointed as the commander-in-chief in Ji County, he repaired and redesigned the Huangyaguan Pass. This pass is the only one in the county and serves as the starting point of the Great Wall marathon. Afterward, drive to Taipingzhai and walk back to the Huangyaguan Pass, which was reconstructed in the 1980s. This section of the wall is hilly with some large steps, and it takes 2 to 2.5 hours to walk along the Great Wall.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Professional guide
- Bottled water
- Lunch
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Lunch in the local restaurant
- Gratuities
If your itinerary includes the Great Wall and Qing Tombs, you’ve made a great choice. The Eastern Royal Tombs of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) hold the distinction of being China’s largest and most well-preserved tombs complexes for royal families. Furthermore, they are of significant importance as the final resting place for emperors and their consorts of the last dynasty. The segment of the Great Wall you’ll be exploring is Huangyaguan - a location famed for hosting the International Great Wall Marathon. Both of these significant sites can be visited in a single day.
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Please wear comfortable hiking shoes
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
