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Canton
Newbie
Joined: Feb 23, 2007
Posts: 4
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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  Posted:
Feb 23, 2007 - 01:24 PM |
 
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| Post subject: Best part of the Great Wall of China |
Can someone tell me where is the Best part of the Great Wall of China? I have heard too much about Badaling, etc. popular spots but they are always crowded and not known to have the best sight and lesser access. Someone is driving me so some travelling is alright. Tell me details. Thanks in advance.  |
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Canton |
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adrenochrome
Reacher
Joined: July 28, 2004
Posts: 217
Status: Offline
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Feb 23, 2007 - 02:38 PM |
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hi there,
bascially there are three major spots wher eyou can go:
1. badaling, u mentioned it already
2. simatai, not bad
3. mutianyu, my favorite
all these three parts showcast restored parts of the Great Wall.
If you want to see a non-restored part head for jin shan ling. There is great small restuarant there famous for BBQ trout, which alone is worth the trip.
Hope it helps.
Cheers,
Adreno |
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KRS1
Seeker
Joined: Oct 11, 2005
Posts: 41
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Feb 23, 2007 - 04:00 PM |
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I went and hiked about 10 k of the Simatai section...dangerously steep, but not crowded or rebuilt. I loved it. |
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TISM
SuperStar
Joined: July 14, 2005
Posts: 1561
Location: often @ the shed
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Feb 23, 2007 - 04:34 PM |
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when i went badaling was only crowded around the lift to the top
once you got 500m away down the wall there was hardly anyone after
another 500m and we walked for about 1km after that.
This was during Autumn Fesitval(October) as well so I was very surprised. |
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Everyone will be famous for 15 minutes. |
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chunki
Barker
Joined: May 13, 2005
Posts: 139
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Feb 23, 2007 - 05:01 PM |
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Whenever we're in Beijing, we walk the section from Simatai to Jinshanling. It's a decent hike, maybe 20k, but it's just beautiful and you'll usually find yourselves pretty much alone apart from the first and last mile of the walk. The first and the last mile are also the only bits that have been ruined by restoration, and the rest has been left the way it should be.
You'll need to arrange for a taxi to take you there and pick you up at the other end. Or if you're lucky enough to find him, there's an Iranian guy called Ati, who's quite famous around Beijing for taking tours to hike on that part of the wall. I know you can find him through one of the five star hotels, but I can't think offhand which one it is. |
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Kiwi
Post Boaster
Joined: May 07, 2003
Posts: 4763
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Feb 23, 2007 - 05:18 PM |
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When was Simatai restored? |
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eeiagm1
Squeeker
Joined: May 07, 2008
Posts: 11
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July 28, 2008 - 05:01 PM |
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Walked the Jinshanling to Simatai section last weekend. Wonderful experience overall. Highly recommended. It was misty so you could only see about about 7 towers each way but it stil looked amazing. there is the opportunity of a coach from XuanWumen at 7am (ish) but I wanted to go later. A quote from a 'there and back' car driver was 700 RMB but we tried a 980 from Dongzhimen at about 10:30 instead to Miyun (15 RMB per head), mainly to break up the journey as the standard car here is a bit lacking in space for 4 big people. At the Miyun bus stop, three drivers were waiting to offer their services for 340 RMB out and back. It took another hour to get to Jinshanling. Asked the driver to meet us (4 of us) back at Simatai in 4 hours and gave him 140, with 200 to come on the way back. 50 RMB in (high season) at the start and then off up the hill followed by hawkers trying to sell us the usual - post cards, tee shirts, books ... Turned left for Simatai and then up onto the wall. It was hot and getting hotter so the hawkers at every tower for the first half tried to sell us water. We eventually haggled a basic rate of 10 RMB for 3 x 330 cold bottles, down from 1 bottle for 10. We were glad of the extra water in the early stages even though the hawkers can be a bit annoying but they stay in the towers in general apart from the odd persistent one who will follow you for a mile (really).
The redone wall gives way to the unrestored parts pretty quickly and you can start to enjoy this magnificent creation in its natural state. It is steep (and more up than down) for the first 90 minutes or so. After that, it is more down than up. You pay an extra 40 RBM entering the Simatai section and a final 5 RMB for the rope bridge. so, 95 RMB in all per person. Hitting Simatai, sweaty and hot and a bit leg weary, we didn't bother to continue on up to the highest tower to the east (we had done about 30 towers and it was an extra 7). However, there was a cable car available form the top down to the car park, had we decided that we had the energy to go up. We had been walking 4 hours at that point so we didn't bother. Also at the Simatai start/exit you have a zip wire option down which may appeal to the teenagers but is unnecessary if you still have the energy to walk down a good path for 10 minutes or so to the car park. Driver was waiting and duly brought us back to 980 bus terminus near Miyun and an hour or so later we were back in Dongzhimen.
If its hot, you will need a minimum of 2.5 Litres of water per person. Cary or buy along the way or both. Up to you. Early bus from Xuanwumen or car or half and half like us? Early bus was too early for me, plus you have the company of a bus full of people, and it goes to Simatai. I wanted to start from Jinshanling. If you can arrange a car for 4 and can fit comfortably for say 600 RMB, this is probably best. I saw coach excursions listed for 280 RMB per head (and also for 370) including lunch and fees so this is another option to consider if departure time suits you and you are happy with being part of a coach party. Hawkers apart, we walked (1pm to 5pm) mostly alone which is what I wanted. A great day out and the images will stay long in my mind. |
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aloha99
Reacher
Joined: Nov 20, 2003
Posts: 253
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July 28, 2008 - 09:32 PM |
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- Badaling is about 45 mins from Beijing. Most crowded section though if you really want to go there I'd recommend you climb the left section of the wall (less crowded"). Otherwise you see an endless line of people. 20 mins from there you can visit The Commune, a posh restaurant/hotel designed by some of the most famous architects.
- Juyongguan is about 40 mins from Beijing. It's on the same route as Badaling (you actually pass it if you go to Badaling). Few people. Some parts very steep. What I don't like is that the road to badaling passes underneath the wall so it's a bit noisy.
- Mutianyu. One and half hour from Beijing. Less people than Babdaling but still touristy. Good option is you don't have too much time. Easy to find some non-crowded spot for photos. Nearby there is a new restaurant called Schoolhouse opened by an expat (you can also stay overnight there)
- Simatai. 2 hours drive from Beijing. You can hike all the way to Jinshanling
- Jinshanling 2 and half hours drive from Beijing. The most beautiful section of the wall. Well worth the drive. If you avoid weekends you are very likely to be the only there (apart from farmers-turned-sellers). No good restaurants nearby so bring your own sandwiches.
The hike mentioned above is absolutely fantastic. Great scenery. Though you have to be fit as sometimes you will need to crawl over some unrestored parts but you don't need any specific preparation except good walking shoes. The hike is about 10 kms long and it usually takes me 3 and half hours to complete it (I never exercise therefore I'm a bit slow and easily out of breath  ). |
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hi5china
Barker
Joined: July 28, 2008
Posts: 136
Location: shhai/zhejiang trader
Status: Offline
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July 28, 2008 - 09:47 PM |
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eeigame. you are so super in telling all details
Hopefully we can join another tour to that site again!
very pity to tell guy that
i have been in beijing for 4 yrs but seldom go out for sightseeing
I bike around somewhere near Tian/anmen/ and Shishahai alots.....
hi5china@yahoo.com
now i stay in shanghai and sometime work in yiwu trading city
if there is a backpacking in these citi, inform please |
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