Great Wall Marathon

18 May 2024

Great Wall Marathon 2024 7-day package

This 7-day tour package offers you the definitive Beijing experience! While the drive to the race venue is a bit longer, you will have ample time to explore Beijing in your pace and visit some of the incredible city's classic sights.
14-20 May 2024
7 days
1 895 USD

All nights are spent in the capital of China and you will get an unforgettable holiday in this exciting city. We will visit classic Beijing highlights such as the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven and also have plenty of chances to sample exquisite local cuisines in the many markets and street stalls of old Beijing.

You can top-off your Beijing stay with our optional excursions that take you to the Summer Palace, the former summer residence of the Imperial family, and Beijing Zoo to see the giant panda at the city zoo. Or how about visiting the impressive Ming Tombs or watching a classical Chinese Acrobatics show? Whatever your interests, the excursions offer a wide range of attractions that give visitors a great taste of Beijing.

If you want to stay closer to the race venue and get a taste of China outside the great metropolis, have a look at the 6-day option.

English

Itinerary

The itinerary is detailed below. This is what you'll be doing during your stay!

14 May 2024Welcome to Beijing

Arrival to Beijing Capital (PEK) or Beijing Daxing (PKX) airport.
Transfer buses are available throughout the day and leave for the city with 30-45 minute intervals. Look for "The Great Wall Marathon" sign in the arrivals hall and our representatives will show you to the bus.

After checking in to your hotel, check the hotel notice board to confirm your tour guide's name and phone number. Goodie bags will be handed out by the guide. If you don't receive your goodie bag today, it will be given to you on Inspection Day.

The rest of the day is free for you to explore Beijing.

Meals: Not included

Please note, a pre-night can be added to your travel package when booking your package online, or at a later date by contacting us via email. Booking requests received after 18 April 2024 cannot be guaranteed.

15 May 2024Beijing Highlights - Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Temple of Heaven

A visit to Beijing is not complete without seeing the city's three most famous landmarks, so today features a classic sightseeing tour.
The first stop of our day's exploration is Tiananmen Square from where we continue to the Forbidden City and spend the rest of the morning there. As we exit the Forbidden City it's time for lunch, which will be a delicious local speciality - Beijing roast duck.

After lunch we continue our sightseeing tour with a stop at the beautiful Temple of Heaven. The last stop of the afternoon will be a visit to a silk exhibition hall, where a large variety of silk products can be purchased.

In the evening we head out for dinner. Afterwards an optional acrobatics show is available for purchase, but must be pre-booked in advance to secure seats. Enjoy a fantastic evening out and watch a spectacular performance by talented acrobats. Learn more under "Excursions".

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

16 May 2024Route Inspection Day

Today, is Inspection Day! An important event for you to inspect the part of the route along the Great Wall and prepare yourself mentally for the challenge ahead. Race officials and medical staff will be present to answer any questions you may have.

Our day will begin early in the morning as we board our bus and head to the Great Wall for route inspection. Breakfast will be served as a breakfast box that can be enjoyed on the 2.5 hours drive to the Huangyaguan Great Wall, which is our race venue.

All runners are expected to walk the 3.5km section of the wall that is part of the marathon, half-marathon and 8.5k Fun Run course. Non-runners are also welcome, although good physical condition is required. A sandwich lunch will be served after the wall walk.

Once the group is gathered again we will drive back and arrive in Beijing around 5pm. The rest of the evening will be at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast and sandwich lunch

17 May 2024Relaxation in Beijing or Ming Tombs visit

You have the day in Beijing to get mentally prepared for tomorrow's race in the way you want. Go shopping, enjoy one of Beijing's many parks, find a nearby spa or simply relax in your hotel room - choice is yours.

You also have the choice of joining the optional excursion to the Ming Tombs.
This excursion departs in the morning and heads for the Ming tombs in a valley south of the Tianshou mountain, about 50km west of Beijing. Thirteen out of the sixteen Ming emperors were buried in this peaceful valley. Learn more under "Excursions".

Meals: Breakfast (lunch also included if you book the Ming Tombs tour)

18 May 2024Race Day

Today is the big day!

Breakfast boxes will be handed out before we leave for Huangyaguan at 3:30am. The race starts at 7:30am.

Sandwich lunches will be provided for everyone at the race site.

Busses will be ready to take runners back to Beijing between 12 and 4:30pm. A 20-minute massage on site is included after the race.

For more information about the race, look here.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

19 May 2024Explore Beijing - excursion option & Evening Celebration Party

Today is a day of recovery. Sleep in, relax, do a bit of shopping in the Silk Market or fill your senses with the sights and sounds of Beijing.

If you want to make the most out of your visit to Beijing you can join today's excursion and see the giant panda and the Summer Palace on the City of People tour.

In the evening, we all gather for the big celebration dinner. All participants will be picked up at their hotels and taken to the party venue tonight.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included (lunch is provided for those going on the optional excursion)

20 May 2024Farewell Beijing

Depending on your departure time, you might be able to do some last-minute shopping or take in more of Beijing's sights. Hotel check-out is before noon.

Please note that the departure transfer is not included in the package but can be pre-booked at an extra cost. See prices for details.

Meals: Breakfast

Please note, a post-night can be added to your travel package when booking your package online, or at a later date by contacting us via email. Booking requests received after 18 April 2024 cannot be guaranteed.

Excursions

Acrobatic Show

15 May | 3 hours | 60 USD
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An entertaining evening is in store for you! Prepare to be impressed by a spectacular show of breathtaking performances by a troupe of talented acrobats. 

Acrobatics is a traditional Chinese performing art. The history of acrobatics in China can be traced back to Neolithic times. By 300BC, skills such as walking on 3m-high stilts and juggling daggers had been developed. The art form has evolved a great deal throughout time and today Chinese acrobatics is an inheritance of tradition and evolving techniques. 

Excursions must be booked before arrival in China.

Please note: The excursion starts from the dinner restaurant around 19:00. The exact time will be announced by your tour guide. 

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Ming Tombs

17 May | 6 - 7 hours | 85 USD
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We’ll start the day with a visit to a cloisonné factory. Cloisonné is an ancient technique for decorating metal objects or ceramics. We will be able to observe the intricate process for making cloisonné, and you will get an appreciation and historical understanding of this delicate art. After a tour, you will be able to browse a dazzling collection of various colors and styles of cloisonné.  

After lunch, we'll head to the Ming tombs in a valley south of the Tianshou mountains, about 50km north of Beijing. Nestled among lush hills, with a peaceful river flowing through the center, the valley was carefully chosen in accordance with geomancy principles (Fengshui). Thirteen out of sixteen Ming emperors are buried here, and three of the tombs are open to the public. Enter the valley through the Great Red Gate – one of the largest stone archways in China – and explore the ‘Sacred Way,’ a long path leading to the tombs that is lined with larger-than-life stone sculptures. The belief was that the emperor was the Son of Heaven, and he descended to earth along the Sacred Road – he would leave that way, too. In recognition of their brilliant siting, planning, and design, as well as their unique contribution to historical and cultural understanding, the Ming Tombs (along with the Qing) have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.  
 

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Summer Palace

19 May | 1 day | 85 USD
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This excursion will take us to the Beijing Zoo to see the endangered giant panda. We will continue to the Summer Palace in the outskirts of Beijing. 

Our day will begin with a visit to the Beijing Zoo to see giant pandas. The giant panda is an endangered species and its population is small and vulnerable. Despite being a protected species, habitat destruction and poaching continue to pose a threat to the species. After the visit to the zoo, we'll head to the Summer Palace, just outside of Beijing.

The Summer Palace was built several hundred years ago during the Jin Dynasty but has been renovated on numerous occasions since then. In 1860, it was plundered during the Second Opium War but in 1888, the notorious Empress Dowager Cixi rebuilt it using money intended for the Navy and turned it into an opulent summer retreat for the imperial family. 

After the Summer Palace, we will visit a pearl exhibition hall, which is located just outside the palace. On the way back to the city, we'll make a photo stop outside the Olympic Village, where we'll be able to see the Bird's Nest National Stadium and Water Cube National Aquatics Centre. Lunch is included.

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The Terracotta Army

20-22 May | 3 days | 900 USD
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Today Xi'an offers a great mix of old and new. Despite it’s more than 8 million inhabitants the city is much more tranquil than Beijing, yet its streets brim with life, reminiscent of its ancient glory.

  • 20 May: Beijing - Xi'an

    We begin our journey from Beijing to Xi'an on the famous Bullet Train, a sleek and long airplane-shaped high-speed train, which travels up to 300 km per hour.

    The inside of the train offers wide windows, comfortable seats and attendants. 5-seat rows are available in the train. Upon arrival, we will check in to the Grand Dynasty Hotel, located right at the edge of the distinctive Muslim Quarter, a haven for snack lovers. The tour leader will take us on an evening stroll through this bustling part of the city.

    The Muslim Quarter, known for its peculiar architecture, has structures designed with the styles of both the Ming and Qing Dynasties, but has been inhabited by Muslims for many generations, providing a rich combination of cultures to this area and the sight of over ten mosques. In its market, run by the locals, you will find all sorts of dried fruits, breads and cakes, many restaurants, and stalls of exotic food and snacks.

    Meals: Breakfast

  • 21 May: Terracotta Army

    2,200 years ago, the Emperor Qin Shi Huang Di commissioned the creation of an estimated 8000 clay warriors, an army that would protect him in the afterlife. These clay statues, together with terracotta acrobats and bronze figures of swans and other birds, are unlike anything discovered before. During our second day, we will visit this location; learn about the intricate process of restoration, involving unprecedented modern medical technologies.

    In the afternoon, we will take a bike ride on the city wall, a National Historical and Cultural site, created by the Ming Dynasty to fortify Xian, and which has impressive moats, watchtowers, corner towers and covers a total of 14km.

    In the evening we visit the Tang Dynasty dancing show, one of the main attractions of Xi'an and a proud representative of Chinese entertainment; a vibrant and colorful performance which is accompanied by great Cantonese delicacies.

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Tang Dynasty dancing show.

  • 22 May: Return to Beijing

    Our visit to Xi'an is now over, so we will have a morning transfer to the train station, and from there, take a bullet train once again heading towards Beijing, where we will arrive in the afternoon, marking the end of our tour. Once there, transfer to the airport is not included, but taxis are plentiful. Alternatively you can book the departure transfer. We recommend you book your flight after 19:00 (7:00 pm), to ensure you have enough time to get from the train station to the airport.

    Meals: Breakfast

  • Price information

    Shared double room: 900 USD
    Single room supplement: 170 USD

  • Inclusions

    Second class tickets with bullet train Beijing-Xi'an-Beijing
    2 nights’ accommodation at Grand Dynasty Hotel – 3 star
    Terracotta Army sightseeing incl. entrance fee and transportation
    Tang Dynasty dancing show
    Meals according to itinerary
    Albatros tour leader

  • Exclusions

    Beverages
    Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
    Personal expenses
    Travel and health insurance
    Anything not mentioned under “Inclusions”

  • Post-night

    It is possible to book an extra night in Xian if you wish to spend more time exploring the city. Transfer to the train station will still be arranged just as the return train ticket will be extended with a day.

    Price pr. person in shared double room: USD 140
    Single room supplement: USD 85
    Price incl. breakfast.

  • First Class ticket

    It is possible to request a first class train ticket. Please email us if you wish to travel first class and we will confirm if available.

    Price to upgrade to First Class for both train rides: USD 150

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Avatar Mountains

20-25 May | 6 days | 1 790 USD
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  • 20 May: Beijing - Zhangjiajie

    In the afternoon, we will begin the next chapter of your journey through China with an evening flight from Beijing to Zhangjiajie in China’s Hunan province. Upon arrival in Zhangjiajie, we will drive directly our 4-star hotel for check-in.

    Meals: Breakfast

  • 21 May: Day of Sightseeing & National Forest

    After a good night’s sleep and an early breakfast, we will enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Also known as the first national forest park in China, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park’s unique landscape inspired the floating "Hallelujah Mountains" of Pandora in James Cameron’s award-winning movie, Avatar.

    The day’s excursion will begin with a cable car ride, which will transport us from Zhangjiajie City up into the National Forest, where you will truly capture a bird’s-eye view of the stunning scenery.

    The National Park is home to a varied landscape, including sandstone formations, limestone caves and subtropical and temperate forest. Nestled beneath the towering peaks, the numerous ravines, gorges, and caves, as well as wandering streams, waterfalls and pools provide a home for verdant, leafy vegetation and some endangered plant and animal species. Be on the lookout - you might event spot birds, salamanders and curious monkey hanging nearby!

    One of today’s highpoints (literally!) will be Zhangjiajie National Forest Park’s gigantic, rugged quartz-sandstone monoliths, which stand tall in stark contrast to the lush tufts of dense, green foliage that adorns them. These narrow peaks rise from the valley floor, creating a beautiful and mystical landscape that appears to hang suspended amid the misty clouds.  Of the thousands of pillars dotting the skyline, we’ll be sure to set our sights on the colossal 1,080-foot (3,544-foot) high “Southern Sky Column”, otherwise known as “Avatar Hallelujah Mountain”. For the geologically curious, the narrow pinnacles of these unique geological formations have been shaped over eons due to erosion by the elements, changes in temperature and the growth of vegetation. 

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner 

  • 22 May: Tianmen Mountain & Cave

    On day 3 of our visit in Zhangjiajie, we will be picked up from our hotel for a brief drive to Tianmen Mountain and the world’s highest naturally formed cave, Tianmen Cave. For those not afraid of heights, it is possible to book a ticket to the Glass Stack Road - a narrow path of glass floor built into the vertical cliffside of Tianmen Mountain. Talk about adrenalin rush!

    Tianmen Mountain is also famous for its unique natural wonder, Tianmen Cave, a door-like cave or “Heaven’s Gate Cave” that formed in ancient times following the collapse of a rock precipice. This area is known for its rich Chinese culture… To reach the cave, one must climb up 999 steps, known as “Heaven’s Stairway”. Surely not a coincidence, the number nine in Chinese numerology is considered a positive number because its pronunciation sounds like the word meaning “eternity” or “everlasting”. It’s a tiresome climb that will take about 30 minutes, but the views are spectacular and well-worth the effort.
    On the way back, we will stop at a local market. Following dinner, we will drive approximately 3 hours to the old town of Fenghuang, a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site, and will check-in to our 4-star hotel.

    “Ancient Fenghuang Town” is known for its classic architecture with antiquated stone streets, glowing rice paper lanterns, local minority people outfitted in ethnic attire beautiful riverside buildings and the traditional bridges that arch across Tuojiang River. Part of this town’s charm is the local people’s enduring relationship with the river- they live by it and rely upon it, much as they have for centuries.

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • 23 May: Dehang Miao Minority Village

    We will visit the Dehang Miao Minority Village, explore its marvelous mountain scenery and learn more about one of China’s most colorful ethnic tribes. In the local language, “Dehang” means “beautiful valley” and the site of this village is precisely that – a beautiful, lush green valley situated below steep cliffs.

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • 24 May: Changsa

    The morning is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Upon checking out of our hotel, we will head to the Huaihua Railway station and take the bullet train to the city of Changsa. Upon our arrival in the late afternoon, we will visit the Mawangdui Museum - also known as the "Oriental Pompeii". Afterwards, we will check-in to our 4-star hotel.

    The evening will begin with a classic Hunan Cuisine dinner, followed by a visit to the local night food market.

    Meals: Breakfast and dinner

  • 25 May: Beijing

    After an early breakfast, we will head to the airport for our flight to Beijing. We expect to arrive in Beijing before noon.

    If you are leaving China from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), you should not book your flight earlier than 16:00. If your flight out of China is also today, but from Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX), you should not book any flight departing earlier than 19:00.

    Meals: Breakfast

  • Price information

    Shared double room: 1790 USD
    Single room supplement: 300 USD

    Glass Stack Road entry: 65 USD

  • Inclusions

    Domestic flights: Beijing-Zhangjiajie one-way and Changsa-Beijing one-way
    Second class train ticket Huaihua-Changsa one-way
    5 nights’ accommodation according to itinerary
    Sightseeing according to itinerary incl. entrance fees
    Transportation according to itinerary
    Meals according to itinerary
    Albatros Tour Leader
     

  • Exclusions

    Beverages
    Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
    Glass Stack Road entry
    Personal expenses
    Travel and health insurance
    Anything not mentioned under “Inclusions”

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Price information

Have a look at package prices below. Please note that prices include the race package.

Price information

Below package prices are inclusive of the race entry.

7-day Itinerary - 14 to 20 May 2024

All prices are per person

Hotel rating Shared double/twin Single room supplement Extra night - shared double/twin Extra night - single room supplement 
Comfort, Central 1895 USD +565 USD 110 USD +110 USD
Comfort, Downtown             2225 USD +600 USD 125 USD +125 USD
Deluxe, Downtown 2550 USD +880 USD 175 USD +175 USD

Please note that arrival transfer from airport to hotel is NOT included when booking a pre night

Optional excursions/services for the 7-day package Date Price per person
Acrobatics Show 15 May 60 USD
Ming Tombs 17 May 85 USD
City of People - Giant Panda, Summer Palace & more 19 May 85 USD
Departure transfer 20 May 65 USD

Kindly note, excursions can be purchased at the time of booking, or later by contacting us via email. The deadline for adding excursions to your travel is 18 April 2024.

Price includes

  • 6-nights accommodation
  • Meals as stated in the itinerary
  • Excursion to Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven
  • Transfer from airport to hotel (only 14. May)
  • Transportation as per itinerary
  • The Great Wall Marathon race package which includes: start number, bib chip timing, running T-shirt, supplies on route, English speaking medical team from Denmark and finisher certificate. For more information, see Race Info.
  • Comprehensive information packet and guide book for the Great Wall Marathon event which includes detailed maps and day-by-day descriptions.
  • Extra night rates are inclusive of breakfast

Price excludes

  • Flights
  • Visa for China
  • Departure transfer to airport (These can be purchased separately)
  • Optional tours which must be booked in advance
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not stated in the itinerary
  • Beverages
  • Personal expenses
  • Anything not mentioned under 'Inclusions'

Registration deadlines

Registration for the 2024 Great Wall Marathon closes on 18 April 2024.
After this date, no new entries will be accepted.

We advise you, however, to book early to avoid disappointment. Some packages sell-out well in advance of the regular registration period.

If you sign up after 19 March 2024, a late registration fee of 150 USD will be applied to each person on your booking. In addition, the full amount (ie. not just the deposit) must be paid to complete your booking.

Important Info

We've put together a list of important information about travel in China. Have a look below.

Visa information

Almost all non-Chinese nationals will need a visa to enter China.
There are different categories and you will most likely need a tourist visa (L). Please contact your local Chinese embassy or consulate for more information.

The procedure normally requires submitting a visa application form, paying a fee and providing the Chinese authorities with a service voucher from the Great Wall Marathon containing hotel information and dates.

Around early April, you will receive the service voucher which you can use for acquiring a visa. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Please note that your passport must be valid for at least six months after entry.

Transfers

Arrival transfers from the airport to the hotel will be available on 14 May 2024. Busses leave the airport in 30-45 minute intervals.
The Great Wall Marathon representatives in the arrivals hall will show you to the bus. Please be advised that there may be a waiting time of up to an hour at the airport.

To organize your pick-up, please email us your flight details.

Departure transfers are not included in the package and can be booked separately. The optional departure transfer only goes to Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) or Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX).
If you would like to add a departure transfer to your reservation, please select this option on the booking form and let us know your departure flight details. 

Room options

If you are a single traveler and choose a shared double room when booking, we will pair you with another traveler of the same gender. If you prefer to have your own room, choose single room. A single room supplement will apply.

Payment

Please note that the booking of a trip is binding for both customer and travel agency once the deposit (25% of the total trip price) has been paid at the time of booking on the booking.albatros-adventure.com website. The remaining amount, 75% of the total trip price, will have to be paid 75 days before trip departure via the link that will be sent to the customer a week before the due date. Bookings made later than 75 days prior will require full payment immediately.

Traveling to Beijing

Participants must book their flight in to Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) or Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX) with arrival no later than the day your tour starts (14 May 2024). See under transfers for information on how to get to your hotel.

Your departure from China can be arranged as you prefer, but kindly note that the optional departure transfer only goes to Beijing Capital Airport or Beijing Daxing Airport.

Book this package

You will be taken to our booking site where you can complete your booking.