Hemp Village and the Gubeikou Great Wall, 2017/2/18
Twenty-three photos from the hike from Hemp Village to Gubeikou.

With lovely clear skies and long views this was a great day out on the Great Wall.
We first walked into Hemp Village, a small settlement in a valley on the border of Beijing and Hebei. After a quick stop at Farmer Zhou’s house, we hiked up into the hills to get to the Great Wall.
We like this trail because it gives a look at the lifestyle of people who live out in the countryside – a huge difference from Beijing city.
From Farmer Zhou’s house we hiked field trails over hills and up valleys, getting our first views of the wall up on the ridges.
A steep climb got us up on to the wall at Gubeikou. We followed the wall all the way to the North Gate of old Gubeikou village, with superb views the whole way.

Starting the hike from Hemp Village up into the hills.

Still some snow left in the shaded areas.

We hiked higher up into the hills.

It was a clear and sunny day, not too cold.

We spotted the wall far off in the distance. We’d need to hike for a while before we got over there.

Getting closer.

A solid tower on a spur section.

Now we’re getting closer to Spider Valley.

An abandoned farm house.

We climbed up to the wall at 24-Eyes Tower.

Looking back towards Hemp Village.

And looking forward along the Gubeikou Great Wall.

Photo time!

We took a break here before heading on.

Leaving 24-Eyes Tower.

We’d hike all the wall seen in this photo.

Group shot before heading on.

Down from the tower.

One of the big towers at Gubeikou.

Take it slow here.

In this photo you can see 24-Eyes Tower at the peak in the background.

Hiking down from a tower.

We finished the hike by Gubeikou’s North Gate.