Duggar Family Great Wall Journey: Group Case Study
This past two-day journey brought a large family and filming crew to Jinshanling, village hosts near Gubeikou and the towers of Mutianyu.
A 39-person party comprising the family from 19 Kids and Counting and its filming crew needed more than a standard day visit. Great Wall Adventure Club arranged the transport, guides, village hosting and overnight accommodation for the group.
Welcomed by the village
Two coaches carried the party from its Beijing hotel to a courtyard village near Gubeikou. Local families prepared lunch, while two guides accompanied the visitors. There was time for the children to explore the courtyard and for the crew to speak with a host about her life in the village.
Jinshanling on the first day
The first afternoon took the group to Jinshanling. A cable-car ride brought the family to the Wall, where they explored watchtowers as the crew filmed. Back in the village, rooms were distributed across four inns. Advance courtyard checks and named room signs helped organize the arrival of the large party.
An evening of local traditions
The evening continued with dumpling making and traditional paper cutting led by the village hosts. Staying overnight allowed those activities to become part of the experience, beyond the time spent visiting the Wall itself.
Mutianyu and the return to Beijing
After breakfast, the party continued to Mutianyu. Rain and fog gave the second visit a different atmosphere, while the family and crew spent time among the towers. Lunch near the Wall preceded the coach transfer back to Beijing.
Photo gallery
The photographs below accompany the original trip account. Select an image for a larger view.
This historical case study illustrates the coordination behind one particular trip. Current group itineraries and filming arrangements are planned and confirmed individually.