The Great Wall Like You’ve Never Seen It
If you reckon all Great Wall experiences are the same, think again.
We had one of the wildest, most unforgettable days of our world trip at the Huanghuacheng Lakeside Great Wall. And the crazy part?
We had no idea when we visited that just a day later, the BBC’s Race Across the World would air, kicking off right here too!
Total fluke. We went before it hit the telly, just chasing a quieter, epic slice of the Wall and somehow stumbled into what’s now one of the hottest spots in China thanks to the show.
Talk about perfect timing?
Glass bottom bridges, mountain rail cars, views so good they look fake, and even a lakeside water ride for the daredevils this isn’t just another postcard stop.
It’s history meets adrenaline, and it’s absolute family gold.
Getting There: Cheap, Cheerful, and Cruisy
Our day kicked off with a £5 Didi ride across Beijing to meet the coach. From there, it was a cruisy 90-minute drive into the countryside.
Not a single whinge from the kids that’s when we knew it was gonna be a good one.
The drive itself set the scene, misty mountains, sprawling farms, and that feeling that something big was just around the corner.
Once we arrived we walked through the turnstiles under a tunnel over a dam on a boat and we could see the wall in all its glory on the hill side!
Riding to the Top: No Sweat Required
Forget huffin’ and puffin’ up a thousand stone steps Huanghuacheng’s magnetic rail car whisks you up the mountain in style.
It’s smooth, it’s steep, and it feels like you’re being zipped off to a secret fortress.
And when you hop off at the top?
Ancient stone battlements stretch across green hills, plunging dramatically into a crystal-blue lake.
It’s the kind of view that just hits you right in the chest.
The Wall Meets the Water, Pure Magic
We walked back down and met the stretch of the Wall dives straight into the lake and it’s nothing short of cinematic.
The sky was clear, the water still as glass, and the towers reflected so perfectly it felt like we’d walked into a fantasy film.
And best of all?
No crowds.
No elbowing for the perfect snap.
No loudspeakers blaring.
Just birdsong, breeze, and that deep, ancient silence the Wall does best.
It’s the sort of place where you stop mid sentence, just staring, mouth open, drinkin’ it all in.
The Glass Bridge: One Word, Epic Suspended high above the lake, it’s a wild mix of heart-racing thrill and jaw-dropping beauty.
The kids legged it across like they were training for Ninja Warrior.
I took it a bit slower… y’know, to “soak up the view” (and definitely not because my legs were arguing with my brain).
The steps are steep and sloped slightly forward you end up backpedalling just to walk down!
Is it scary? A little.
Is it worth it? Absolutely.
Crossing that glass bridge with the Great Wall snaking into the misty mountains around you, that’s a memory that will stick for life.
Bonus Fun: Water Rides & Family Features
Down by the lake, there’s even a water ride for when you’re ready to cool off perfect for the summer heat. We didn’t jump on it this time, but it looked brilliant.
You’ll also find gardens, scenic walkways, and chill out spots dotted around, gondolas and more! You can hike, relax, or just let the kids burn off steam without it feeling like a crowded theme park.
This was a full-blown adventure part ancient wonder, part adrenaline rush, and 100% unforgettable.
We climbed, we glided, and we tiptoed across glass. We explored a part of the Wall built into a lake. And we did it all with no crowds, no stress, and plenty of laughs.
If you’re anywhere near Beijing chuck Huanghuacheng on your list.
No second-guessing. No muckin’ about.
It’s the Great Wall like you’ve never seen it and now it’s got the BBC’s stamp of approval too. This place is only gonna get more popular!
Follow our family as we travel the world one jaw-dropping, snack-fuelled adventure at a time.
Real tips, real laughs, and real memories.
Just how travel should be.
PS:
Wanna see what it’s like to walk the Great Wall… on glass?
Stay tuned
