Walled Village to Huanghuacheng Great Wall hike, 2013/03/20

Amazing views of the snow-covered countryside and Great Wall

Were you on this trip? How did you like it? We'd love to hear from you.

Send us feedback Review it on TripAdvisor Share this page on Facebook

We headed out to Huanghuacheng in Huairou for a Great Wall hike the day after a heavy snowfall. We were a little unsure of what we'd find, but we it's lucky we went – the views of a snow-covered Great Wall were amazing!

We started with a quick look about a walled village that dates back to the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), walking through the narrow lanes and getting a look from above by climbing up on the old walls.

From the village we headed for the Great Wall, following slippery snow-covered field trails through chestnut orchards.

We were able to climb up on the wall for more great views, but not as far as we might have liked to – the snow made the steep wall too slippery. To make up for it we climbed another nearby section after lunch, reaching the ridgeline high above a local reservoir.

the top of the former defensive wall, Beijing Hikers Walled Village to Huanghuacheng Great Wall hike, 2013/03/20

Snow tops the walls of the walled village.

A heavy grinding stone, Beijing Hikers Walled Village to Huanghuacheng Great Wall hike, 2013/03/20

It will be a bit difficult to grind the corn today! This grindstone is used to make cornmeal and flour.

The ancient building, Beijing Hikers Walled Village to Huanghuacheng Great Wall hike, 2013/03/20

A derelict house.

the snow-covered orchard, Beijing Hikers Walled Village to Huanghuacheng Great Wall hike, 2013/03/20

The trail took us through chestnut orchards.

The Great Wall, Beijing Hikers Walled Village to Huanghuacheng Great Wall hike, 2013/03/20

The Great Wall on the ridgeline behind the chestnut trees.

an old tree, Beijing Hikers Walled Village to Huanghuacheng Great Wall hike, 2013/03/20

This chestnut tree is really old.

the blue sky, Beijing Hikers Walled Village to Huanghuacheng Great Wall hike, 2013/03/20

The Great Wall under the blue sky.

Hikers, Beijing Hikers Walled Village to Huanghuacheng Great Wall hike, 2013/03/20

A young hiker amidst beautiful snowy scenery.

thick snow, Beijing Hikers Walled Village to Huanghuacheng Great Wall hike, 2013/03/20

The Great Wall at Zhuangdaokou, covered with thick snow.

the steep wall, Beijing Hikers Walled Village to Huanghuacheng Great Wall hike, 2013/03/20

Some hikers carefully climb the steep wall.

the tower of the Great Wall, Beijing Hikers Walled Village to Huanghuacheng Great Wall hike, 2013/03/20

Views of an unrestored Great Wall tower.

A small helicopter, Beijing Hikers Walled Village to Huanghuacheng Great Wall hike, 2013/03/20

We met some people who were using a little helicopter to get birds-eye photos of the Great Wall.

The trail is a little slippery, Beijing Hikers Walled Village to Huanghuacheng Great Wall hike, 2013/03/20

Descending the trail on the other side of the Great Wall.

The animal, Beijing Hikers Walled Village to Huanghuacheng Great Wall hike, 2013/03/20

Clear footprints in the snow – looks like a rabbit has been through here.

a narrow trail, Beijing Hikers Walled Village to Huanghuacheng Great Wall hike, 2013/03/20

After lunch we climbed up a narrow hill trail to another section of Great Wall.

the top of the tower, Beijing Hikers Walled Village to Huanghuacheng Great Wall hike, 2013/03/20

The sun came out, and we enjoyed the views of the reservoir below.