GUDAO (ANCIENT HIKING TRAILS)

WildChina’s GUDAO, meaning “ancient hiking trails” in Chinese,
is bringing new life to forgotten routes, and the communities – the people – along them.

Become a part of the revival story
Hike through history, culture, and nature

For millennia, China was connected to itself and the world beyond, by trails. These footpaths, connected not only places, but people and cultures too. We believe these ancient hiking trails deserve to be remembered. Their stories heard, their culture preserved, their people seen.

To us, GUDAO is more than a hiking experience. It is a commitment to preserving ancient trails, empowering local communities, and creating lasting impact through cultural connection and sustainable development.

The inspiration for GUDAO came from WildChina founder Mei Zhang who is currently pursuing a PhD in Environmental Science, Policy and Management (ESPM) at UC Berkeley, where her research explores the feasibility of transforming the historic Tea Horse Trail into a world-class hiking route and, potentially, a national park.

To develop GUDAO trails across China, we are partnering with Kyle Obermann, an environmental storyteller focused on China, a member of The Explorers Club, and an accomplished trail runner who ranks among the top 1% globally. 

GUDAO has been featured in National Geographic and nominated for a Virtuoso Sustainability Award.

We are just getting started, the best is yet to come. Join us to become part of the story.

Our Trails

GUDAO Beijing: The Wild Great Wall

2 Days
Availability: All Year
Walk where emperors once commanded and soldiers once stood guard on this two-day Great Wall hiking adventure through unrestored Ming Dynasty ramparts. Trek 15.5km along […]
A hiker walking on a stone path next to a waterfall on Songyang ancient trails.

GUDAO Zhejiang: The Tea Village Trail

5 Days
Availability: January-May | October-December
Hike the tea village trail of Songyang, Zhejiang on this 5-day journey. Trek terraced trails, harvest tea with local farmers, and explore hidden villages in […]
tiger leaping gorge yunnan china

GUDAO Yunnan: Tiger Leaping Gorge

6 Days
Availability: January - June | September - December
Embark on a legendary adventure deep into Yunnan, conquering Asia's most dramatic gorge: the legendary Tiger Leaping Gorge. Here, the raging Jinsha River carves its […]
GUDAO Jingxi - Trace Beijing’s Roots on Ancient Paths - WildChina

GUDAO Beijing: West of the Capital

2 Days
Availability: January - June | October - December
Discover a hidden side of Beijing through its ancient trails, which have shaped the city’s history for thousands of years. While modern highways now dominate, […]
Explore GUDAO's Ancient Tea Horse Trail with WildChina -Arulaka View

GUDAO Yunnan: The Tea Horse Road

7 Days
Availability: November - May
Step into a world of adventure along the historic trails of the legendary Tea Horse Road, once traversed by mule caravans carrying tea and treasures. […]
Snow-covered ridges of Biluo Snow Mountain along the Missionary Trail

GUDAO (Yunnan Ancient Trail): Hiking the Missionary Trail Across Biluo Snow Mountain

9 Days
Availability: September - mid November
Cross Biluo Snow Mountain on an ancient trail linking the Nujiang and Lancang river valleys. From Baoshan, travel through mountain villages where Catholic churches stand […]

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