Beijing: Dive at the Great Wall
Believe it or not, there is a submerged section of the Great Wall of China where divers can take the plunge! It’s even made international headlines, with the Wall Street Journal, Men’s Journal, and other well-known publications covering articles on the dive. In 1976, in a similar story to Lion City, the Chinese government created the Panjiakou (潘家口) Reservoir, flooding several villages and a kilometer section of the Great Wall. With a dry suit (the water is freezing!), flashlight (visibility is limited), and proper equipment, you too can see the Wall from an entirely different angle.
Unlike the other spots mentioned on this list, there’s no real accommodation or diving facilities set up in Panjiakou. Contact Sino Scuba and talk to the American owner Mr. Shwankert. He’s the one to set you up with a dive – if you’re qualified enough.
SinoScuba
Address: Workers’ Stadium South Gate Chaoyang District
地址: 朝阳区工人体育场南门
Phone: 186 1113 3629
Email: steven@sinoscuba.com
Note: Sino Scuba not only offers PADI certification classes, but also dives at the Blue Zoo. Due to Beijing’s landlocked/limited-diving geography, divers can scuba dive in a giant aquarium with sharks, fish and other marine life.
Introduction
Believe it or not, there is a submerged section of the Great Wall of China where divers can take the plunge! It’s even made international headlines, with the Wall Street Journal, Men’s Journal, and other well-known publications covering articles on the dive. In 1976, in a similar story to Lion City, the Chinese government created the Panjiakou (潘家口) Reservoir, flooding several villages and a kilometer section of the Great Wall.
With a dry suit (the water is freezing!), flashlight (visibility is limited), and proper equipment, you too can see the Wall from an entirely different angle.
Unlike the other spots mentioned on this list, there’s no real accommodation or diving facilities set up in Panjiakou. Contact Sino Scuba and talk to the American owner Mr. Shwankert. He’s the one to set you up with a dive – if you’re qualified enough.
SinoScuba
Address: Workers’ Stadium South Gate Chaoyang District
地址: 朝阳区工人体育场南门
Phone: 186 1113 3629
Email: steven@sinoscuba.com
Note: Sino Scuba not only offers PADI certification classes, but also dives at the Blue Zoo. Due to Beijing’s landlocked/limited-diving geography, divers can scuba dive in a giant aquarium with sharks, fish and other marine life.
Dive Site Information
• Water Temp: 28-30 degrees Celsius
• Visibility: 1-8 metres
• Air Temp; 28-30 degrees Celsius
• Level: Advanced with at least 20 logged dives
What's Included
Onboard shower and toilet
Tanks, weights and weight belt
Water, tea and coffee
Light snack after the first dive
Soft dive gear (full foot fins, wetsuit and mask) – requested sizes subject to availability.
What's Excluded
• Equipment rental
• 4 x AA sized batteries (if required for night dive)
• Airfare (if any)
• Taxes and fuel surcharges,
• Personal expenses (includes drinks, bills and tips),
• Travel insurance (proof of insurance required),
• Visa application and fees (if applicable),
• Gratitude for the Boat Crew / Guide
Dive Trip Requirements
• Valid passport and Visa (if applicable)
• Cash in Singapore or local currency (Malaysian Ringgit; RM)
• Personal Medication
• Travel Insurance (recommended)
• Able to snorkel/swim in the sea
• Minimum of PADI Open Water Diver Certification or equivalent (for leisure diver)
Equipment needed for the excursion:
Sun cream, hat, flip flop or sandals, swimming suit, beach wear, towel, camera
How to Get There
Getting there:
As mentioned, if you want to set up a dive in the Panjiakou Reservoir, you better contact Sino Scuba to set something up. They will provide transportation to the lake nearly 250 kilometers northeast of Beijing, in Hebei Province. There are no direct busses to Panjiakou, so if you have your own equipment and want to check it out, it’s best to take a long and expensive taxi from Beijing.
Payment Terms
SGD 100 deposit required upon confirmation of booking of accommodation and dive trip.
Payment payable once upon confirmation of booking of accommodation and or with dive trip package/s.
Equipment Rental
Rates (SGD)/ Per Day :
Dive Torch : SGD 10
Dive Computer : SGD 15
Dive Computer - D4i : SGD 30
Camera : SGD 35
Disclaimer
Estimated rates for booking, Exact cost of dive trip booking depends on each dive itinerary and arrangement package. Invoice on the payment details will be sent to your personal email account upon booking.
Includes Boat transport, and for each pax meal - Breakfast, Lunch and transport back and forth to your hotel or resort or hostel accomodation.
If you will like to book for the accomodation for a stay for 1 Night or more for yourself and family members or for a tour group etc. , please indicate for your accomodation booking, for the number of days/nights of stay here in Beijing, and we will arrange for you.
Subjective to availability.
An invoice will be sent to you via email on the separate payment charges for accomodation stay.
Applicable to local and foreign visitors :
• The arrangement of the sequence of the itinerary is subject to change with/without prior notice.
• In the event that the venue of attraction is closed to visitors, it will be replaced with an alternative venue if possible.
• May request for travel itinerary from us via email.
• During trade fairs or the peak season, accommodation stay may not be inclusive.
All dive trip/s are subjected to the weather conditions and change in itinerary.
If the dive trip unfortunately has to postpone or cancelled, there can be a request for arrangement for another dive trip. Subjected to approval and availability of boat charters.
Cancellation Policy
Any change in trip dates after booking confirmation will be subjected to SGD 100 administrative fees per change/s.
Full fees will be charges for packages cancelled or postponed with less than 28 days notice.
If you cancel less than 28 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, full payment will be non-refundable.
If more than 28 days, 50% of the package price will be forfeited with an administrative charge of SGD 50 Payable to the dive shop.
If you cancel at least 7 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
* The timings are as estimated proposed. Diving trip is subjected to road / traffic / tide / weather conditions on the day of trip.
Additional Information
Confirmation will be received at time of booking.
Equipment needed for the excursion:
Sun cream, hat, flip flop or sandals, swimming suit, beach wear, towel, camera
All dive trip/s are subjected to the weather conditions and change in itinerary.
If the dive trip unfortunately has to postpone or cancelled, there can be a request for arrangement for another dive trip.
Subjected to approval and availability of boat charters.
Passport & Visa Requirements
Please check you have the required travel documents before booking your dive trip. Ensure that your passport has at least 6 months validity from your time of entry into China.
