9 independent reviews for Great Wall of China walking holiday
Reviews for Great Wall of China walking holiday
Jennifer Ezekowitz review 6 Nov 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
It was all enjoyable and challenging2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
None.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Probably somewhat4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Our guide Jerry was excellent. When necessary making sure we understood any dangers or difficulties we might come across and generally keeping us safe. Was informative about the environs around us without being boring. Accommodated us all.Tom Harris review 8 Oct 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Just being there! The tour was so well organised - the we - 12 in all - could just relax and let our Tour Guide Alan weave us through Chinese history as daily we trekked to, then walked & traversed China's Greta Wall north of Beijing. Alan also worked hard to build the 'Group Dynamic' which added to the experience.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
No matter how fit you may be - find a couple of high hills before you arrive and climb up and down daily as part of your training!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
As once out of Beijing we stayed in local Chinese Inns - all of which were satisfactory as was the food - as well as using a local guide or so the money for our passing seemed to be going to local people. The group was totally aware and in a agreement with the environmental impacts associated with our passing and were in agreement with the signs in a conservation part of the Great Wall that said 'Take just photo's & memories - leave not even a footprint!'4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Defiantly 5 STARS. The only negative from my part was that I unfortunately left an iPad when checking out of our first night at the 'Golden Sun Commercial Hotel' in Beijing - even though Alan phoned within 2 hours or so to report the matter - on our return to the Hotel the Hotel denied finding anything in my room! My fault entirely but not handled well by the Hotel's Head of Housekeeping - not up to standard expected of a city hotel.Heather Crow review 1 Oct 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Walking the wild Wall and Great guide2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Train and bring proper hiking gear3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes as far as possible4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
GreatFerenc Suhai review 7 Jun 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The views from the wall watchtowers and then to see the wall stretching out across the beautiful landscape it is something special.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Always read trip notes and make sure you are fully prepared to make the most the time you are there3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
It definitely benefited local people and we had limited impact on the environment and monies spent may well go to future preservation of certain Great wall areas.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was great for me I made some of the nicest friends which along with the views and feeling of achievement makes me want to do another and it is this thought that's keeping me motivated going about my normal days work/life etc.Janice Eastman review 3 Oct 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Climbing parts if the Great Wall that were over 1000 years old with no other tourists around and no renovation work.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take more money than the website itinerary indicates as the Tour Guide offers lots of additonal activities.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
50% of accommodation was in local homestays which does help the local community. However the rest was in big hotels. I feel that some smaller less westernised restaurants could have also been used. In my opinion no walking on the un-renovated wall helps with conservation as continuous "foot prints" will always cause further wear and tear.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A fantastic insight to an amazing country which has one foot in the 5th Century and the other in the 22nd !!!!Rob Pattwell review 26 Sep 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Walking the wall was amazing and the views with very little people around superb.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared for a lot of walking. Pack as if your going to the gym. Sports clothes needed daily. Boots not necessary if you are confidence in your trainers.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
A lot of local businesses were used wherever we went so yes local people were benefitied4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent very enjoyable itching for the next one.Roger Phillips review 9 May 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Walking wall on long empty stretches.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Make sure you don't mind short scrambles.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Supported local business. Disappointed that guide told us it was good to use bottled water as they were recycled other places we went in China hotels had large water bottles where you could fill your own bottles.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very good but would not say it was more sustainable than any other holiday company.Read the operator's response here:
Dear Roger,
Firstly, thank you for your comments, we are delighted that overall you had a great trip.
We would like to thank you for raising the issue of bottled water. We are actually in the process of starting a new initiative whereby all trips in China will provide clients with drinking water from a large receptacle. 20ltr bottles will be employed and clients will be able to fill up throughout the trip. We are currently trialling this approach in India and South East Asia and it has been a great sense. We regret that this wasn't quite ready for your trip but please rest assured that it is to happen soon as we take the reduction of our environmental impacts very seriously.
We do hope that this explanation provides an adequate response to your review and offers you reassurance that we are continuously working on ensuring our trips are as responsible as possible. We hope to welcome you back to China one day.
Brett Scott review 11 Jul 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing the extent of the Great Wall, the amazing achievement of its history and construction.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Have a good degree of fitness, particularly if going in the summer.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
ExcellentSally Payne review 18 Oct 2013
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Walking on the Great Wall. Interacting with ordinary Chinese people in the Temple of Heaven Park. Seeing Red & Giant Pandas (and baby giant pandas in the nursery). Cycling and kayaking in Yangshuo. Very varied and interesting regional Chinese food (most meals had eight or more different dishes). Chinese cookery in countryside outside Yangshuo. River cruise through Yangtze gorges.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Read the Trip Notes carefully. Take your own roll of toilet paper and keep a few sheets on you. Take your own antiseptic hand cleaner and keep it handy. If it rains, the rain can be very heavy: either accept getting quite wet (not actually that bad) or take truly waterproof clothes. If you buy an umbrella locally, open it and try it before handing over cash.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Local people were used as guides, local restaurants for meals. For several journeys trains were used rather than aeroplanes. Our entrance fees to the Chengdu Panda Base presumably helped Panda conservation.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Five stars: Not unequalled, but equal first with a wonderful holiday we spent in New Zealand.Holiday Reviews
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