The construction of China's Great Wall started over 2000 years ago and what was once a symbol of tyranny is now one of the nations leading attractions. It is a landmark that stretches 6000 km in a dotted line across the country. I am heading to Beijing on 18th September and undertaking a 5-day trek along the most fabulous (and challenging) sections of this stunning structure including:

• The Gubeikou Great Wall which is a rural section of wild wall and therefore is remote, lonely and unspolit;
• The Jinshanling Great Wall which is one of the best preserved parts of the wall with many original features dating back to the Ming Dynasty - this section of the wall is also one of the most unusual sections with watchtowers every 100 metres and arguably the most challenging part of the trek as it is extremely steep with loose rocks and uneven steps;
• The Mutianyu Great Wall where we will see subsistence farming local communities working their fields of crops and fruit trees -Mutianyu was one of the first sections of the Great Wall to be recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and the challenge on this section is a trek up to the Heavenly Ladder which is a very steep ascent to the high viewing platform. I'm not relishing the sound of its name but I'm told it will be worth it as the top of this section offers some of the best views;
• The Badaling Great Wall where the path is unrenovated making the terrain uneasy but it is after a days trekking here that we are rewarded with a late afternoon descent and our transfer back to Beijing for a welcome bath and a Celebratory Roast duck dinner!