Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
nuts (
lìzi ròu
), the pork fried with chillies (
chǎoròu jiānjiāo
), the braised pork belly (
hóng shāo ròu
), the barbecued fish (
kǎoyú
) or the beef and potato stew (
tǔdòu niúròu
)
and you won't go wrong.
SLEEPING AT ZHUÀNGDÀOKǑU
Zǎoxiāng Tíngyuàn
( 135 2208 3605; r ¥40-100) This modest guesthouse is housed in a 70-year-old court-
yard building, which has some traditional features such as wooden window frames and paper window panes, as
well as more recent add-ons such as a shower room and a dining area (you can also eat in the courtyard). A
couple of rooms have TV, a couple have air-conditioning and one has a private bathroom. On your right, just be-
fore the stream at the end of the village. No English sign; no English spoken.
Sīmǎtái
Near the far-flung town of Gǔběikǒu and right on the border with Héběi province, the stir-
ring remains at Sīmǎtái make for an exhilarating Great Wall experience. Built during the
reign of Ming-dynasty emperor Hongwu, the 19km stretch is characterised by
watchtowers, steep plunges and scrambling ascents. It's a partly restored yet very rugged
section of wall and it can be heart-thumpingly steep in places. Needless to say, the scenery
out here is dramatic.
Top Tip
At the time of research, Sīmǎtái was closed for extensive renovation. The information you
read here was correct up until the renovation project began several years ago. Sīmǎtái
should be open again by the time you read this, but check with the China branch of
tels in Běijīng to check that the transport details here are still correct and if, post-restora-
tion, Sīmǎtái still appeals to you.
Getting There & Away
Shūniǔzhàn) to Mìyún (¥15) and change to a minibus for Sīmǎtái (¥15, one hour) or a taxi
(return trip ¥120).
