As people become more concerned about keeping fit, hiking has become a more and more popular outdoor activity for people from all over the world, and great numbers of hiking organizations have been built to provide help for hiking enthusiasts.

With a vast land, China has some of the best things for tourists to see and experience. Hiking in China, tourists are able to have the awesome hiking experience of appreciating the magnificent mountains, the fantastic rivers and beaches, the historical and cultural heritage, etc. Although China is not easy to explore, it is actually well worth the effort.

Li River

Boasting fantastic natural landscapes and lots of precious cultural relics, Guilin is one of the most popular tourist destinations for people from all around the world. The Li River is definitely the centerpiece of a Guilin Tour. The Li River section from Yangdi to Xingping, where the Li River passes an endless procession of distinct peaks, bamboo groves and stunning landscapes, is the most wonderful part of a Li River hike. Select a Li River tour from us!!

Tiger Leaping Gorge

Tiger Leaping Gorge is located at the junction of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. The gorge is 17 kilometers (10 miles) long, and is divided into three segments with an overall fall of 210 meters. There are three basic routes for people to hike through Tiger Leaping Gorge. One is the path along the river, from where hikers are able to witness the incredibly loud, churning and foaming river, and more picturesque mountain landscapes. The second is by footpath which runs high above the river. The third route offers better adventure opportunities, and is only recommended to fit and experienced mountain hikers, as it is hazardously narrow and precipitous. Select a Tiger Leaping Gorge tour form us!!

The Great Wall of China

Being one of the greatest wonders of the world, and the witness of Chinese civilization, the Great Wall of China was enlisted in the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 1987. It runs across North China from east to west, passing deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus, stretching approximately 8,900 kilometers (about 5, 5000 miles). The appealing attractions along the great wall sections will surely amaze you. The popular hiking sections of Great Wall are from Mutianyu to Jinshaling, and from Jinshaling to Simatai. Select a Great Wall Hike Tour from us!!

Yangtze River and the Three Gorges

As the third longest river in the world, the Yangtze River flows from the Tibetan Highlands right across China into the East China Sea. With a length of 6,300 km (4,000 miles), the Yangtze River offers a great variety of magnificent landscapes along the way. The Three Gorges show forth the majesty of Mother Nature’s works with their marvelous and magnificent mountains and rivers. A hike along a section of the Three Gorges provides tourists opportunities to see the centerpiece of Yangtze River attractions. See Our Yangtze River Cruise!!

Make Enough Preparations

• Know clearly your physical and mental limitations. People with acrophobia, diabetes and heart disease may not be fit for hiking adventures. In case of any emergency during the hiking, your medical history with any allergies should be taken along with you.
• Learn about the weather, topography and people of your hiking destination, and make appropriate preparations.
• Wear comfortable shoes and socks, and a pair of glove may be needed when it is cold or when you need your hands to climb.
• Sunglasses and sun cream may be needed to protect you from the sun. An umbrella or a raincoat is necessary in case of rainy weather.
• First-aid medicines may be useful against diarrhea, heat stroke, and other possible situations.
• Health and accident insurance is recommended. Take the insurance documents and contact information with you.
• Bring a walkie talkie, or a mobile phone to get in touch with your teammates, or get help in case of being separated.

During Hiking

• Have a big breakfast in the morning before your hiking, and bring as much water as you comfortably can.
• Take a minimum of belongings to maximize your enjoyment, but don't forget the essential items.
• Choose a pace that will cover the required distance, but will not result in exhaustion or risk loss of footing.
• Follow the instructions of your team leaders, or collect as much information as possible if you are to hike on your own. You are not recommended to hike alone.
• When it is summer, try to avoid hiking around noon on a sunny day. Wear a hat and bring enough water to prevent heatstroke and dehydration.
• Ensure you have enough sleep and nutrition. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Stay together with your teammates, and do not wander off yourself, as you may get lost or in trouble with no-one to help you. Even if you are confident of your abilities, you are still not supposed to wander off yourself, because teammates may be worried about you, which will affect their moods and enjoyment of the hiking tour.
• Be ready to make prudent decisions in any unexpected situations. Always remember that safety comes first.

What's good about a hiking tour?

1. Enhance the function of body organs.
2. Strengthen muscles and bones.
3. Remission of diseases.
4. Good for losing weight.
5. Relaxation.
6. Communication with locals and meeting new friends.
7. Challenging one’s limitations and strengthening will power.
8. Learning about team sprit and how to cooperate with others.
9. Seeing superb scenery.

What do I need for a hiking tour?

1. Good quality walking shoes and socks.
2. Bring more money than your budget for emergencies.
3. Enough clothes to change and keep warm.
4. Good waterproofs (ideally breathable).
5. Packed lunch (in remote areas), snacks and plenty of drinking water.
6. A good quality backpack.
7. Knee and waist supports (if necessary).
8. Walking poles (if you find them helpful).
9. Torch, (head torches are particularly useful), just in case you need to walk after dark).
10. Maps, compass (and GPS device).
11. Wireless intercom/mobile phone.

What do I need for cooking and sleeping outside?

1. Butane cartridge stove (or similar) and spare fuel (these can be bought in China as they are not permitted on aircraft).
2. Dried camping food to save space and weight.
3. Lightweight and non-breakable pots and pans, bowls, mugs for hot drinks, cutlery, etc..
4. Sleeping bag and sleeping pad.
5. Appropriate tent with mosquito net.

Note: There are many places in China where camping is considered dangerous or is not allowed. There are also places (e.g. Huangshan) where cooking outside of designated places is forbidden, because of the fire risk. Check this before making your plans.

How intensely should I hike?

For a single day hike, you can hike more intensely, then go back home to have the following days for resting. However, if you are going to hike for days, you should avoid being injured by hiking too much, which may add the challenges of blisters, muscle aches, and skin irritation. So you should build in enough rest time. Do not hike continuously for hours on end.

What are the signs of dehydration?

Dehydration is the most common problem among those exercising continuously for an extended time. When hiking you will need to drink more than the usual amount of water per day (2.5 liters (5 pints) for men and 2 liters (4 pints) per day for women on average). Signs of dehydration are dark-colored urine, headaches, dizziness, dry mouth and throat, muscle cramps and reduced mental activity. It is easily treated by drinking clean pure water until urine returns to the normal color. Rehydration solutions with the recommended balance of salt and sugar may be needed if someone has been dehydrated for a long time and the body’s electrolytes (salts) have been lost. This may occur if diarrhea persists for a few days even when drinking regularly.

What are the signs of heat stroke?

Dry, hot skin combined with severe headaches, dizziness, fatigue and disorientation are signs of heat stroke. These can lead to loss of consciousness or even seizures. In order to bring temperature down, take off the victim's clothes and if possible place the victim in cool water. If not enough water is available, try using cool air by fanning the victim. It is essential to bring the victim's temperature down or death can result.