Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Eating
Mùtiányù has a branch of Subway (just down from the car park). There are also lots of
fruit stalls selling fresh but overpriced fruit. Up by the main entrance is
Yì Sōng Lóu Res-
taurant
( Yì Sōng Lóu Cāntīng; mains ¥20-50;
)
, which does OK Chinese food.
SLEEPING AT MÙTIÁNYÙ
main building is a former primary school, about 1km down from the main car park. Accommodation is in a col-
lection of lovingly restored buildings dotted around the area, each comprising luxury self-contained, multi-
roomed accommodation, which can sleep families or small groups.
Jiànkòu
For stupefying hikes along perhaps Běijīng's most incomparable section of 'wild wall',
head to the rear section of the Jiànkòu Great Wall (Hòu Jiànkòu Chángchéng), accessible
from the town of Huáiróu. Tantalising panoramic views of the Great Wall spread out in
either direction from here, as the crumbling brickwork meanders dramatically along a
mountain ridge; the setting is truly sublime. But this is completely unrestored wall, so it is
both dangerous and, strictly speaking, illegal to hike along it. Make sure you wear foot-
wear with very good grip, and never attempt to traverse this section in the rain, particu-
larly during thunderstorms. When the weather is fine, the Jiànkòu area offers fabulous op-
portunities to hike and camp along the Wall.
Top Tip
If you don't plan on staying the night or are hiking to another section of the wall, make
sure you get your taxi driver to wait for you (don't pay until afterwards!) because it's
tough to find taxis at Xīzhàzi village.
