The Great Walk to Beijing 2008 takes 21 days and covers 228 kilometres. A million steps symbolises the journey cancer patients take in their fight against cancer. When the event begins, sponsors and fans will be able to experience The Great Walk through www.greatwalktobeijing.com and our world wide media partners. This is just a taste of what our walkers can expect.

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Images of China thanks to Emma Nicholas and Brendan Fletcher under copyright.

Stage 1: ‘Mountain to Old Dragon’s Head’
The Dramatic Beginning

A final preparatory briefing launches the team into immediate severe physical challenges. Aching muscles but scenic and historical rewards for the walkers all the way along the forbidding mountain barrier before the descent to the coastal plain and the “Old Dragon’s Head” dipping into the sea. A brief beachside rest promises relief from the relentless opening pace. Photogenic Opening pictures to resonate the ancient nature of the wall, and the walk ahead.

Key geographic features: Simatai Peaks, Coastal views of the Borhai Gulf from Jiashan Mountain. The Dragon’s Head (as it approaches the sea).
 
Key historical landmarks to be visited: Tombs of the Qing Dynasty Emperors, Shanhaiguan Fortress.

Stage 2: ‘Ming Dynasty Meets the Gobi Desert’
Will Desert Dust Storms Replace Sea Breezes?

At least the terrain is flat (that’s why a Wall was needed) but a walk in this arid place 6,700 km from the coast can be demanding. Views of perpetually snow-capped 4-5,000 metre peaks refresh the spirit, as the team reflects on the ancient confrontations between the isolated western-most Chinese defenders and nomadic raiders on horseback. As the mileage builds up, the blisters begin to multiply!

Key geographic features: Gobi Desert, Qilian Mountains, Oasis, Talai River Canyon.  

Key historical landmarks to be visited: Visit from 3rd Century AD tombs for the Wei & Jin Dynasties. 

Stage 3: ‘Spirituality, Silk Road and the Han Dynasty’
Where China confronted other civilisations

The Walkers explore the oldest part of the Great Wall where Silk Road splits towards India, Persia and Europe. A melting-pot of civilisations, creative art and spiritual beliefs in the middle of the desert, where traders from the West and Buddhist missionaries from India once sheltered wind, dust and heat. Walkers will sense the loneliness of the Gobi and the Silk Road. Camels make the sand dunes come alive. Keep those muscles well toned and spirits elevated for the rigours of Stage 4!

Key geographic features: The flat Gobi Desert punctuated by sand dunes. The oasis fed by snow melts. 

Key historical landmarks to be visited: Oldest part of The Great Wall (150 BC), and the passes which it was built to protect. Mogao Grottoes where Buddhism first entered China. 

Stage 4: ‘The Shanxi Fortress’
A long, hard slog into the rugged Shanxi hinterland

Experience village life on the ancient front line with the Mongols. Few of the comforts of home out here, as the annual spring sowing gets underway in often barren terrain. Evenings will be enlivened by warm, rustic hospitality, perhaps by candle-light, if power cuts happen to be the order of the day. A tent can feel like “home sweet home” as chronic fatigue begins to set into the limbs. A long muscle soak in a hot bath must wait a while longer…(there is no running water).

Key geographic features: Yellow River, terraced agriculture interspersed with rugged peaks and near impassible dry river beds.

Key historical landmarks to be visited: Watchtowers substituting for the Great Wall on the Canyon Bank of the Yellow River. Fortress at the Huashizhai Village. 

Stage 5: ‘Circling the Capital’
Again rejuvenated by Chinese spirituality

Start to experience a definite sense that the worst is already behind us - but wait! There are still a few jagged surprises and plenty of kilometres awaiting the team on the homeward stretch. Premature complacency would be unwise. Proceeding East the team return to the protective mountain screen around Beijing, featuring the precipitous approaches to the capital through tranquil mountain valleys.
 


Key geographic features: Mountain cliff faces often substitute for Wall.  

Key historical landmarks to be visited: The Qing Emperors’ ‘resting place’ Inn on hunting expeditions.   

Stage 6: ‘The final steps, Beijing 2008’
No easy feat

Just when most were expecting to coast downhill to the finishing line, some sadist threw in two final morning climbs with among the steepest gradients of the whole trek. Nevertheless, there is a sense of euphoria, as the finishing line appears in the Badaling Valley below. Experience the steepest parts and deepest steps of the Great Wall before being rewarded with magnificent views. The warmth of the welcoming party’s greetings will be genuine for what has indeed been “a feat of considerable endurance”.

Key geographic features: Steep mountains.

Key historical landmarks to be visited: Ming Dynasty Tombs, The Great Wall – entrance to Beijing.

Images of China thanks to Emma Nicholas and Brendan Fletcher under copyright.

See who is walking each stage and sponsor their steps!

Where our steps take us