Great Wall recommendations?
 

Some months ago, I saw a thread that had recommendations on what part(s) of the Great Wall to visit; evidently it has been purged or is somewhere else, but I can't find it any more. More recently, moondog had some recommendations on another thread here.

My problem is this: I am not fit or courageous enough to visit a really challenging, dangerous part of the Wall -- steep slopes and uneven footing are not my thing! On the other hand, the most visited, most easily accessible parts of the Wall, such as Badaling and Mutianyu, are heavily restored, crowded, and tacky with tourist schlock -- or so I understand from reading my Lonely Planet guidebooks and other sources.

So, is there a compromise? I.e., an easily accessible portion of the Wall that is relatively "wild" and not over-restored?

I'm leaving for China in two weeks. Not my first visit (have been to Guangzhou before), but my first pleasure trip and first opportunity to see the Great Wall.

Thanks for any help.


Kathy

I was in China a couple of years ago & I am NOT a hiker. I don't even go to the gym.
I went to the Great Wall @ Badaling & loved it. The tourist stuff etc. did not undermine the visit all for me--I actually thought it was kind of funny. Even though that was supposed to be the sissy part of the wall, I was way out of breath & dragging my ... climbing so i can't imagine what the other parts are like. As far as being restored--you can't tell..it's not like they put up formica. My friends brought along a little split of champagne to open & have a toast on the wall which was a great idia. Have fun!

Well, you don't really have much choice between tourist centric Great Wall sites and those crumbling and in poor repair where an OSHA inspector would throw up.

I guess I'd go to Mutianyu in preference to Badaling since it's much more likely that your 80 year old acquaintances have visited Badaling.

Having said that, if you take an cab early to Badaling and beat the tourist buses, you may have the site almost to yourself for a while.
Rich

I have personally witnessed wheelchairs and walkers on the first hundred meters or so of the Badaling section. Anything for a buck (excuse me... yuan).

Bumping this up for any last recommendations.

Kathy

I have been in Mutianyu (4/1996) and in Badaling (10/2000).

Mutianyu: I didn't have much time (an afternoon only) and asked a hotel porter to organise a cab to go there.

Badaling: I took public transport (bus + train to Beijing-Badaling; train from Badaling-Beijing). It wasn't easy to go there and back (used Lonely-Planet). An alternative is a cab or an organised tour. An organised tour will also go to the Ming Tombs. Therefore much more people will visit Badaling and not Mutianyu.

2-3 hours at the Great Wall is enough. That's plenty of time to walk on the Wall. I found neither Badaling nor Mutianyu crowded. Most people remain near the entrance. But that may depend from the season.
... and don't believe everything in Lonely-Planet.

[This message has been edited by LH738 (edited 06-02-2002).]

I read that most tourists visit the wall at Badaling which has been largely reconstructed.

It was suggested to visit sections further north like Jinshaling and Simatai. Hike time between the two is ~4 hours.

Also don't forget those hiking shoes and water !!!

--

Badaling, where we went, was jammed with people and infinite schlock, including camels that you can pay to sit on and have your photo taken -- try that one for historical accuracy!

Bear in mind that an organized tour, like the one we took, may be cheap but you will be dumped off at a "village" full of crappy souvenir stands in the middle of nowhere for at least an hour on the return. The bus company gets a cut of course.

I have done this hike. It is pretty tough unless you enjoy using the stepper at the gym for a few hours. There are plenty of people selling sealed bottles of water but food is more of a problem. Also a sunhat and sunscreen are useful.

Worth doing it for the views and the relatively isolated stretches though.

A few years ago went to Badaling as well but was travelling on my own. Enjoyed it but wouldn't go back there.

I've always found it interesting (though not surprising) that the water prices fluctuate dramatically between the tame and not-so-tame stretches.

If you're interested in doing cool wall trips, I can recommend two options:

-hire a driver; I can provide referrals
-link up with one of the groups listed in the community sports section of "That's Beijing." There are trips scheduled pretty much every weekend and the prices are reasonable. Some involve bike segments, in addition to hiking.


My personal favorite spot is Huanghau (yellow flower). You can read about it in the BJ "Lonely Planet," where there is also a diagram of the standard hiking loop. NorthOrSouth's Stairmaster comment certainly applies. You can hire a car to take you there (or any other spot reasonably close to BJ) for y500 (less if you negotiate or don't mind a crappy car). Vans cost around y800.