Live the Language is arranging a weekend camping and hiking trip next weekend on the Great Wall!

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<img class="alignright" title="IMG_0022SMALL" src="http://ltl-chinois.fr/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/IMG_0022SMALL-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" />I really enjoyed the great wall trip.  It was one of the highlights of my trip to Beijing.  My favorite parts were exploring the wild wall the first day and eating the amazing dinner that night.

I really appreciated staying in a place far from tourists, and loved that after we started hiking up the mountain, we didn’t see any other tourists.  I had so much fun exploring the great wall, and was glad that we were able to take a different route down.   I wish I had had even more time to explore the wall.  One suggestion: start out a little earlier in the day, ask the hotel people to pack a lunch, and then carry it up the mountain and eat on the great wall.   Picnics are fun.

As for the food, I just loved the dinner we had (and the breakfast was simple but tasty).  I really liked that we were eating vegetables grown very close by.  I also liked how vegetable-heavy the meal was.  The lunch on the first day was good, but didn’t stand out to me.  I did really enjoy getting to gut a fish, and watching the man butcher the rabbit was a unique and interesting experience.  He, along with everyone we met on the trip, was friendly and accommodating.

While I didn’t enjoy the great wall the second day quite as much as I did the first day (mostly because of the tourists), I’m still very glad we went.  It was nice to see what the wall was like when it was whole.  And, I went into the wild, non-tourist sections again so I got to explore the wild wall some more.  Ellen was absolutely right to have us get up early to beat the crowds.  When I was coming down, I noticed how many people were around.  I do wish I could have had an hour or two more there since two hours felt a little rushed.  Also, we passed a pick your own fruit orchard.  I would have enjoyed stopping there briefly, but I don’t feel strongly about this.

Ellen was a fantastic trip leader.  She hiked up the mountain even though it was an arduous trip, and she was very patient when we wanted more time to explore.  She asked us our preferences and was flexible when we suggested a change of plans.  The trip was very well planned and ran smoothly.  I would recommend this trip to anyone.  I had a wonderful time and am so glad I got to experience the great wall in this way!

[This review was contributed by LTL student Eleanor.]

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<strong>Date:</strong> July 30th-31st

<strong>Includes:</strong> transport, meals, accommodation, guide and all entrance tickets

<span style="font-size: large;">Schedule</span>

<span style="font-size: medium;"><em><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-3520" title="great wall" src="http://ltl-chinois.fr/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/n61300728_36090519_7028-224x300.jpg" alt="" width="224" height="300" />Saturday, July 30th</em></span>

8:30AM- Receive a bag lunch and depart the LtL school by car.

10AM- Arrive at Gubeikou, where we will meet our guide and begin hiking. We will spend 5-6 hours (including lunch) hiking to Jinshanling.

5PM- At Jinshanling we will have dinner of traditional local Chinese food in a farm house.

We will spend the evening camping next to the Great Wall. Tents and sleeping bags will be provided and there will be washing facilities nearby. In the event of bad weather, we will stay at a nearby guest house (with air conditioning).

<span style="font-size: medium;"><em>Sunday, July 31st</em></span>

7:30AM- Breakfast and preparing for the day.

8:30AM- Hike to Simatai area of the Great Wall.

12:30PM- Return to Beijing by car.

<strong>Notes:</strong>
<ol>
	<li>Please wear appropriate shoes and clothing</li>
	<li>Please bring a rain coat in case of bad weather</li>
	<li>Please also bring your fully charged mobile phone</li>
</ol>
<strong> Cost:</strong> 1,000 RMB/person

For more information or to reserve a space, please [button color=red url=http://ltl-chinois.fr/contact-us/ target=self]Contact us[/button]