Be Smart, Feel Safe, and Get the Most out of Your Great Wall Family Hike
Hiking the Great Wall of China with kids is an excellent way to bond as a family and teach your children history and broaden their horizons. The hike can be as gentle or strenuous as you want.
It would help if you did a few things before going for your hike. All these tips are crucial to ensure a fun and safe walk. Many fail to prepare, and they never hike the Wall again. Here are twelve tips to help:
1. Choose a Part of the Great Wall That Feels Just Right
Research and choose a section of the Great Wall. You must understand the limits of all the hikers and plan accordingly. It is generally considered better to hike on an easy / moderately tricky section of the Great Wall and build up as you all gain confidence and strength.
2. Seek out a Section That Interests Everyone
When choosing a part of the Wall, look for areas that interest everyone. An example of this is Mutianyu Great Wall which offers a toboggan for fast going down. This will be great for kids, but you could also look for a fantastic lookout point.
3. Bring the Essentials
Beijing has a really hot summer. You won’t regret bringing day hike essentials such as water, hats, bug spray, sunscreen, and other items in Summer.
4. Charge Your Phone Before Leaving
While you may or may not have a signal, you need to ensure enough battery. If something happens, you want a full battery so you can move around looking for a signal and help.
5. Plan the Right Outfits
Make sure everyone in your group has the right socks, shoes, and pants. You will need to look at the weather reports and the area you visit to ensure that everyone is protected. Depending on the hike, you might also want to pack a change of clothing.
6. Pack Smartly
When you hike the Great Wall with kids, pack everything so that adults can easily carry kid’s items. This is important because you are likely to have them all anyway.
7. Select Carriers Wisely
When walking the Great Wall with a baby in a carrier, choose a carrier you are comfortable carrying for a prolonged period. The baby will also need to be comfortable in the carrier for the entire hike. Remember that you will have this on your back for the whole walk.
8. Make It Fun
While hiking the Great Wall is a great adventure and exercise, most people will struggle when tired. You should not push too far and remember to turn back before people start getting tired and exhausted.
9. Keep Everyone’s Needs In Mind
If you have children with certain nap times, plan your hiking to finish before this time. Keeping everyone’s needs in mind will help everyone have a good time.
10. Pack Lots Of Water And Snacks
It would help if you did this even for hikes that will only last a few hours because you never know what might happen. Children also need an extra boost of calories. This is particularly important when going through growth spurts as nature and hiking the Wall will make them hungrier.
11. Be Aware Of Hunger And Dehydration
All children will struggle when hungry and dehydrated, but many children will not recognize the signs of this. This is even more common when they are distracted by a new adventure. If you start to see anyone struggling, you need to stop and have a drink or snack because refueling is essential.
12. Enjoy Your Family’s Great Wall Adventures!
The memories of this trip will stay with everyone, and the best memories will come naturally. The Great Wall of China is unique, and you should experience everything together.
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