The Great Wall Of China Airbnb Is Canceled, So It’s Back To Day Trips For Your Bucket List

Courtesy Airbnb

Looks like sleeping inside the Great Wall of China is a dream that’ll stay on the bucket list for a while. Airbnb canceled its Great Wall of China pop-up room after local heritage authorities said they didn’t approve the project.

The Great Wall Of China Airbnb experience planned to send four travelers to spend the night in the centuries-old historical site. The wall, built thousands of years ago to protect China from raiders, doesn’t usually allow overnight guests.

Courtesy Airbnb

However, the Beijing Yanqing Cultural Commission, which oversees the section of the wall that Airbnb wanted to outfit like a luxe hotel room, said the board never approved the plan. The cultural commission said the Airbnb pop-up “is not in line with the Great Wall’s heritage conservation values,” according to the South China Morning Post. The project also received backlash online and Airbnb has since canceled the contest.

Courtesy Airbnb

In the proposed contest, you would depart on a whirlwind journey. You’d start with a hike to your special bedroom. Yes, it’d be right in the wall, a kind of old fortress turned luxurious bedroom. You’d have dinner as the sun sets behind the ancient stone, enjoying multiple courses inspired by different traditional Chinese cuisines and live music. The next morning, you’d hike to a watchtower to enjoy the sunrise. Afterward, you’d learn Chinese calligraphy and make a custom stamp, soaking in even more of the local culture.

With the contest canceled, Airbnb says they plan to host similar cultural experiences nearby — just without the sleepover inside the wall.

UPDATE: This article was updated to reflect the event has been canceled.

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