What do I need to bring on day tours?

Most important is a good pair of hiking boots or walking shoes. Lots of people walk in running shoes or trainers and this is fine but if it rains you will get wet feet. Quick dry fabrics (like merino wool or polypropylene) are better than cotton or denim.

We do not recommend jeans. A warm jacket, hat & gloves are a good idea for cold weather. We have walking poles use if you don’t have your own. Sunglasses and a sunhat are a good idea too. The sun is very strong in Beijing region and it’s easy to get burnt.

Use these guidelines to determine what to bring for your Great Wall hike trip. Make sure your clothing, equipment are up for the trip to enjoy a hopefully hassle-free excursion!

Clothing for Hiking

Bring clothes according to weather condition, temperatures at Great Wall and what season you are traveling. China gets pretty hot in summer, and quite cold in winter. On a summer day it can be quite hot and humid in Beijing. Your clothing should work as a system which wicks aside perspiration, insulates you against the cold and protects you from the wind..

Layering is highly recommended to wear in cool or cold weather like December, January, February in Beijing. Rather than taking several heavy, warm garments, it’s advisable to bring and wear several lighter layers. The best time to put on or take off layers is at the first sign of being cold or being overheat and your body will let you know when you’re overheated or under heated. If you wait too long, your clothing may get drenched with sweat — and then upon, you’ll be more susceptible to chilling and more difficult to warm up when resting, especially during a windy day on Great Wall.

Your first layer close to your skin should wick perspiration away from your skin to keep you dry and warm. In summer often only the base layer will be necessary in Beijing. While in winter, never leave warm clothing at home.

Cotton has a truly serious problem with hiking Wild Great Wall. It offers absolutely no insulation when wet although cotton clothing is favored by lots of people. Due to the fact that the moisture from sweat may slow up the insulating ability of cotton clothing on a dry day, cotton is often considered as unsafe to wear, especially next to the skin, in mountain areas where cold weather is common — which includes Jinshanling, Jiankou, Mutianyu, Simatai etc where we hike.

Having synthetic or wool clothing is suitable for safety and better protection in case of rain. When hiking Wild Great Wall, it’s advisable to bring and/or wear some clothing that’s partly or entirely made of synthetics, or wool, silk.  

Simply put what clothing you’ll need will depend on the season, where and how high the Great Wall you’ll be hiking, and local weather and temperatures.

Hiking Socks

Heavy synthetic or wool socks are highly recommended by many Wild Great Wall hikers. A heavy sock gives extra cushioning in your boots, offering some additional protection and reducing the impact of each step.

Liner socks are recommended when you plan to hike unusually rough sections of Wild Great Wall such as Jiankou and Gubeikou or have new boots. Liner socks will minimize any rubbing and friction on the feet — reducing the possibility of blisters or sores, and offering a bit of extra warmth in cold weather.

Pants

Loose-fitting  pants is a good choice rather than jeans. Roomy nylon pants helps you stretch your legs at quite an angle while hiking uphill or downhill. Pants brings you maximum comfort and freedom of movement.

Shorts

Shorts are good for warm or hot weather– providing the maximum amount of freedom for your legs. As Jiankou and Gubeikou are somewhat overgrown in summer, wearing shorts while hiking make you expose to possible unfriendly plants ((poison ivy, thorny bushes). Shorts are best for wide and/or well-maintained sections of the Wall such as Mutianyu, Badaling. Convertible pants allow you to zip off the pant legs and quickly convert the pants to shorts. 

Sweaters / Fleece

Fleece and other thick synthetic garments are very suitable for hiking Wild Great Wall. Synthetic clothing is lightweight and durable. They’re better at absorbing sweat and some of them wick moisture away from the body. On a Wild Great Wall Adventures trips in early spring or autumn, bringing a fleece sweater will keep you comfortable during your hike.

Windbreaker

Windbreaker is highly recommended in cool, windy weather like Beijing in autumn during your Wild Great Wall hike. A good windbreaker will offer protection from the rain, an excellent barrier to the wind and warmth after you reach your summit and start to cool down, keep you comfortable during your descent.

Cap or Hat

Avoiding extensive exposure of your skin to the sun by wearing outdoor hat. We have to be careful in strong sunlight and covering your head will keep you comfortable. In summer carrying a sun hat is advisable when the sun’s rays are more direct and potentially damaging in Beijing.

Hiking Boots

Comfortable boots can protect your feet from injury, provide comfort and support for the feet and ankles while hiking rugged sections of Wild Great Wall. Good hiking boots will serve you for many years. You may feel uncomfortable for hiking when wearing boots that come up much higher than the ankles. All in all, a light-to-medium-weight boot will be the wise choice for trekking Wild Great Wall.

Walking Stick or Hiking Poles

Hiking poles are especially good choice for those who have had knee problems or leg injuries. Weather or not to use walking stick is a matter of personal preference. It’s easy to acquire a makeshift hiking stick along the Great Wall by finding a fallen branch of the suitable size, some is left by hikers.

Day Pack

The benefits of a good daypack for day hiking are truly massive. A day pack provides enough room for everything you’ll need on a day hike: water, extra clothing, rainwear, insect repellant, a camera, etc. A pack leaves the arms and hands free and make your hike most enjoyable. It should give several years or more of service.

Related Tours: Gubeikou to Jinshanling Hike

                         Jinshanling Simatai West Hike                     

Related Links:  How to Hike the Great Wall

                         What It Costs to Hike Great Wall

                         Weather at Wild Great Wall

                         Clothing for Visiting the Great Wall

                         Money Saving Tips

                         Great Wall Safety Advice