He who has not reached the Great Wall is not a true man,” Mao Zedong once proclaimed. Now, you can surpass what the Great Chairman ever thought possible thanks to an online competition held by Airbnb.

As part of its Night At series – which has previously transformed everything from a ski gondola to the Parisian Catacombs into places of accommodation – Airbnb will convert a watchtower on the 21,000km-long, 2,600-year-old feat of ancient human engineering into an utterly unique bedroom suite for four winners and their companions, hosting two people at a time.

Guests will arrive at the suite after a short hike and, after settling in, will be treated to a multi-course gourmet dinner cooked on-site – each dish representing an aspect of Chinese culture. As the guests dine, a traditional Chinese concert will be held for their entertainment.

After a good night’s sleep, a tour guide will lead the guests on a sunrise hike of the wall while educating them on its history and current conservation efforts. The stay will end with workshops on Chinese calligraphy and seal-engraving.

To participate, all you have to do is answer the question: Why is it more important now than ever to break down barriers between cultures? How would you want to build new connections?” Open until 11 August, submit your answer online here for a once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunity to experience the Great Wall up close and personal.

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