Shanxi province lies some 500 miles west of Beijing, on the
sparse loess plateau. The Great Wall here was built mainly of
rammed earth, and erosion has created a dramatic barrier of
eroded earth and earthern stumps for watchtowers.Trek along
remote stretches of wall and gain a unique insight into rural life
in north China in an area rarely visited by foreigners.

Our first stop is the capital Beijing, where we visit the highlights
of any visit to China, including Tiananmen Square and the
Forbidden City. Also the Great Wall at Jinshanling, one of the
most spectacular and least visited sections of the Ming Dynasty
Wall near Beijing.

Then travel by train to Datong, and see the Yungang Caves with
their impressive Buddhist carvings and statues. There then
follows 7 days trekking following the Inner and Outer Great Wall
as it makes it way along the border with Inner Mongolia, staying
overnight in local farmers' houses.

Finally reach where the wall meets the mighty Yellow River and
then the important fortress of Yanmenguan before travelling to
Wutai Shan, one of the four sacred mountains of Chinese
Buddhism and the site of many historic and architecturally
important temples. Return to Beijing for your flight home.