We took our 12-year-old son on this 3-day Great Wall hiking tour from Shanghai, and it was the highlight of our year. The company was incredibly helpful upfront: they explained which sections were kid-friendly (avoiding overly steep climbs), suggested packing light hiking shoes for our son, and even arranged for a child-sized backpack stuffed with his favorite snacks—all thanks to a quick note we mentioned in our booking.

Our guide, Mei, was a godsend for families—patient, energetic, and a pro at keeping kids engaged. She turned the hike into a “Great Wall Treasure Hunt,” giving our son a small notebook to tally watchtowers, spot dragon carvings on tower doors, and count the crenellations along the parapets. When he asked about “how soldiers slept here,” Mei shared simple, exciting stories about ancient garrisons instead of dry facts. On Day 2, when our son started flagging, she slowed the pace and pointed out a family of marmots scurrying near the wall—turning his tiredness into excitement. She also always had extra water and granola bars handy, just in case.

The driver was fantastic too: the car was roomy for our hiking gear and our son’s travel toys, and he drove carefully on the mountain roads. He even remembered Mei mentioning our son loved apples and stopped at a roadside stand to pick up a bag of fresh, crisp ones—such a thoughtful touch.

The itinerary was smartly designed for families: we hiked moderate sections (Mutianyu to Gubeikou) with plenty of shaded rest stops, stayed in family-friendly guesthouses with comfortable beds and hot showers, and enjoyed meals that catered to a kid’s palate (like fried rice and steamed buns) alongside local specialties. On Day 3, Mei took us to a small nearby museum, where she helped our son complete a “Junior Archaeologist” worksheet about the wall’s history—something he still talks about weeks later.

We were worried a 3-day hiking tour might be too much for a pre-teen, but Mei and the team made it fun and manageable. Our son now calls himself a “Great Wall Explorer,” and we’re already planning our next trip with them.

Reviewed to: From Skylines to Stone Wall: 3 Days Beijing Great Wall Hiking Tour From Shanghai