Mr. Chen and Pang Li hike up the eroded remains of the Great Wall of China. [Daniel Byrnes/China.org.cn]

One of my favorite dishes was dun cai, a warm dish with potatoes, pork and green beans. It is also the most popular item on the menu, said Mrs. Chen. Other items of esteem include roasted almonds, noodles with meat sauce, fried chili peppers and hand-picked cucumbers.

Mrs. Chen said she takes pride in her cooking but would like to learn English.

"If I learn to communicate with others, I can show my warm welcome to the guests," she said.

Mr. Chen has goals for the future as well.

"I want to expand and improve my business without changing the atmosphere of the restaurant and guest house," he said. "I want to make friends from all over the world."

Two other families in Chenjiapu started similar businesses, but Chen's is the only one that attracts foreigners because of their English website, Mr. Chen said.

"I don't feel any competition," he said. "They have their ways, and I have mine!"

Mr. and Mrs. Chen said the whole village works like a family to help each other.

"We are a family at heart," Mrs. Chen said. "It is not all about money. It is about people treating each other the way they should be treated."

Mr. Chen said the best time to visit Chenjiapu is during the May Day holiday, when peach blossoms are in flower.

I hope to eventually return to Great Wall Fresh (http://greatwallfresh.com) during this holiday with family and friends to share the surely unforgettable experience.