In the August cover feature of the Beijinger we went back to the Great Wall and explored it anew: alongside, underneath, and overhead. Here are some of the activities we thought you’d enjoy most:

Romantic Picnic

For intimate dining on the Wall, head out to Red Capital Ranch, a restored Manchurian Hunting lodge, and request the picnic. A simple Tibetan-style lunch will be provided for you to take up to the turret of a nearby Wall section. From there, take in the views of mountains and streams. History brings the true magic of this historical setting to life. Buddhist shrines dot the surrounding valley and are filled with artifacts pre-dating the Tang Dynasty.

The picnic costs around RMB 900 for two, and to sustain the intimacy, a night at the Red Capital Ranch costs RMB 50 for a single room with queen-sized bed. The lodge is staffed by Tibetans and offers a window into Shambhlala and Himalayan culture as well as acting as a sanctuary for dogs.

A version of this article appeared in the August 2013 edition of the Beijinger

This post first appeared on the beijinger here

Photo by Mitchell Pe Masilun