Hemp Village to Gubeikou Great Wall Hike, 2016/01/17
We were out for a hike just after the first snow of the new year – see photos of snow on the Gubeikou Great Wall.

We were out for a hike just after the first snow of the new year, and to see the Great Wall covered in snow is always a fine sight. You missed it? Have a look at the photos instead!
We started out at Hemp Village, following a flat road up into the hills. A good way to warm up in cold weather.
The trail took us further into the hills, and higher up. From the hill tops we could see the nearby mountain ranges and Great Wall off in the distance, including 24-Eyes Tower, the tall tower where we’d climb on to the wall.
After hiking through farmland and valleys we climbed up to 24-Eyes Tower, the highest in the area. From there, we hiked the wall all the way down to Gubeikou Village.

We started our hike on a flat road, heading for Hemp Village.

The trails get steeper from here.

The Great Wall looks beautiful covered with snow.

We detoured through farmland to skirt the military area.

Hiking through Spider Valley – no spiders here in winter, though!

Up on the wall by 24-Eyes Tower.

A nice photo spot.

We were to hike along all of the Great Wall you can see in this photo.

Hiking through a tower.

A big watch tower.

A detour around a section of wall that looks close to falling down.

Snow on top of the wall.

Hiking up – the hiking poles are very useful.

Snow on the Great Wall.

Looking back along the trail. 24-Eyes Tower is the tall one right in the middle of the photo.

It was a long day for us hiking through the snow, but we got to see a lovely sunset on the way home.