Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
is a list of some of our favourite Great Wall hikes near the capital. Don't take any of these
lightly, though. The Wall is incredibly steep in places, crumbling away in parts, often very
exposed to the elements and, at the unrestored sections, usually has no sides. Wear shoes
with good grip and take a rucksack so you have both hands free for clambering. And bring
plenty of water. Note, the estimated hiking times here do not include the time taken climb-
ing up onto the Wall, which can be anything from 10 minutes to an hour.
Jīnshānlǐng to Sīmǎtái
» three to four hours
Very popular with youth hostel groups before Sīmǎtái closed for renovation, but will be
open again by the time you read this. The three- to four-hour hike from Jīnshānlǐng is
straightforward, but breathtaking. Scenery is vast, rugged and remote and the Wall is a
photogenic mix of part-restored and unrestored sections. Access the Wall from the east
gate at Jīnshānlǐng (a 20-minute climb up steps), then turn left when you hit the Wall.
Jīnshānlǐng West Gate to Jīnshānlǐng East Gate
» 90 minutes
A quicker alternative to the Sīmǎtái hike mentioned above, and one that the youth hostels
were doing while Sīmǎtái was undergoing renovation. You get much of the same fabulous
scenery, but only half the pain. Turn left when you hit the Wall, then climb down to your
left once you reach East Tower with Five Holes (Dōngwǔyán Lóu).
Jiànkòu to Mùtiányù
» two hours
Unrivalled for pure wild-wall scenery, this stretch of the Wall at Jiànkòu is very tough to
negotiate, but soon links up with the easier, restored section at Mùtiányù. Access the Wall
from the back of Jiànkòu Great Wall (Hòu Jiànkòu) at the first part of Xīzhàzi village
(Xīzhàzi Cūn Yīduì). It takes an hour to reach the Wall from the village; from the sign that
says 'the Great Wall here is closed', follow a narrow dirt path uphill and through a lovely
pine forest. Go straight on at the abandoned wooden hut, rather than right, and when you
hit the Wall, turn left.
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