Take a break from busy Beijing for a full-day hike along the Great Wall of China, one of the world’s most famous monuments.

Climb  the section of the Great Wall at Jinshanling, a beautiful and less-crowded section of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. See parts of the Great Wall that have been carefully restored as well as sections that have not been retouched. After the 2-hour climb, have lunch at a restaurant operated by local farmers before returning to Beijing.

This section offers arguably the finest hiking anywhere on the Great Wall. It is extremely photogenic, with over 15 watch-towers, and steep gradients that give constantly changing perspectives and wide, open views.

There is fascinating variety in the watch-towers here. Some have two storeys, others three. Some have flat roofs, others rounded and others again are pitched with upturned eaves. This section of the wall is wild, ruined, preserved and original. On a clear day, it is difficult to fail to take good photographs here.