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A Visitor's Quick Guide Tourist map of Great Wall

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1 Badaling 2 Juyong Pass 3 Jiankou 4 Mutianyu 5 Gubeikou 6 Jinshaling 7 Simatai Table of Contents

Welcome ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 1 The main sections of Wall in Beijing …………………………………………………………………………….. 1 Best Time to Go/Climate ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 5 What to bring …………………………………………………………………………………..…………………….. 6 Accommodation ………………………………………………………………………………….………………….. 7 Tours and trips ………………………………….…………………………………………………………………… 7 Money Saving Tips ……………………………………………………………………………………..……….….. 9 Welcome to the Great Wall of China

Getting an opportunity to visit the Great Wall of China is truly Average temperature an once-in-a-lifetime MAX MIN experience. Getting to view places so different from our January 36℉/2℃ 16℉/-9℃ normal surroundings is in itself a fantastic experience. If you wish February 41℉/5℃ 21℉/-6℃ to savor the beauty of China you March 54℉/12℃ 32℉/0℃ must visit the Great Wall and what better way to experience it April 68℉/20℃ 46℉/8℃ than hike through the Wall. ℉ ℃ ℉ ℃ Hiking through the Great Wall is May 79 /26 57 /14 a very enriching way of knowing June 86℉/30℃ 66℉/19℃ the history and geography of the place. But hiking alone without July 88℉/31℃ 72℉/22℃ any guide of sorts can be a bit August 86℉/30℃ 70℉/21℃ unnerving and daunting. We have therefore compiled a guide September 79℉/26℃ 59℉/15℃ to the Great Wall which we are sure will help you immensely in October 66℉/19℃ 46℉/8℃ your journey through China and November 50℉/10℃ 32℉/0℃ more so as you hike through the Great Wall. December 39℉/4℃ 21℉/-6℃ The main sections of Wall in Beijing

Getting an opportunThe The Great Wall being huge, it Easiest winter walks below mentioned sections are would take a lot of time to Mutianyu, Badaling, the most probable one’s you traverse the entire wall but if Juyongguan. would visit outside Beijing. you are interested in hiking a They are: short stretch then Mutianyu Most interesting is the ideal place for you to 1 Badaling Jiankou, Jinshanling, Simatai. indulge in some bit of hiking.

2 Juyong Pass More suitable for Half day options 3 Jiankou photographer Mutianyu, Juyongguan, Simatai, Jinshanling and 4 Mutianyu Shuiguan and Badaling. Jiankou are great places for 5 Gubeikou Full Day options taking pictures of sunset & 6 Jinshaling sunrise. Mutianyu and Jinshanling, Jiankou, Huanghu Huanghuacheng are equally 7 Simatai acheng and Gubeikou beautiful. - 1 - 1 Badaling 2 Juyong Pass 3 Jiankou This is by far the most First constructed in the 5th Jiankou is remote and popular section of the Great century, rebuilt by the Ming secluded as compared to Wall. Being easily accessible, and more recently restored, Jinshanling or Mutianyu and it has become overtly Juyongguan is the closest as expected this portion of commercialized with tour section of wall to Beijing. the Great Wall is for the groups having included it as Juyongguan has two sides: adventurous in body and part of their tourist circuit. north and south. The south spirit. The path to the top is The fact that it is well- side is comprised of two not properly paved with some equipped with facilities like lower sections which join part of the steps missing and guardrails, restaurants, cable way up and is very steep. The portions of the walls cars, viewing telescopes make "easy" side, the north is less overgrown with trees. Here it it popular with tourists steep on average and appears is risky to travel without a earning it the name of to have less steps. guide as the paths can be Disneyland of Great Wall. slippery and dangerous. Some tour groups probably However, if you are prepared During peak season this place switch to Juyongguan from to brave this journey then you is extremely crowed with all Badaling because it is a little won’t be disappointed at all. tour groups making it a point closer and also might be less Travelling through this lonely to stop here. The north-east crowded. As higher you are stretch of the Great Wall will portion of Badaling is usually climbing the less people you add that extra dimension to more crowded, so if you are will see. If it’s too much of a your experience. If you are of in search of some peace then challenge for you to climb the the adventurous kind and are it is better that you head southern section, north physically ﬁt you must not towards the south-west part eastern section of the Wall miss this hike. If perchance as it is relatively less that goes across the river is a it’s raining or snowing when crowded. About 2-4 hrs are little less steep and not you are there then do not required to cover the 3.7 km crowded. Both sections offer undertake this hike as it can stretch. terriﬁc views. You may prefer be risky. the quieter north eastern ffi Hiking di culty section. You won’t see loads A very easy climb with of souvenir stalls as you get smooth surfaces. to see in Badaling.

Getting There The hike up is deﬁnitely A train leaves from Beijing worth it as you get a really North Station every 90 unparalleled view of the minutes. surrounding areas. The steps are wide enought for the amount of people climbing - if you have a heart problem or high blood pressure you may need to think about it. Be sure to get your running or walking shoes on.

- 2 - 4 From here you have the natural look. It therefore Mutianyu option of taking a minibus or remains beautiful. About 2-3 Mutiyanu is a great option to a rented car. A minibus ride hours are required to hike overcrowded Badaling. would cost you about 40-50 this 6km stretch which has Although it is fairly developed Yuan. some good portions and it is comparatively quieter and some difficult ones. You can get water at the top considerably greener as but as expected they are Hiking difficulty – Moderate compared to Badaling. There expensive, hence carry a are cable car facilities Since this place has not been bottle of water with you. available, a great help for restored the path is broken Toilets facilities are a bit those who are not much and there are steep hills to limited at the top so be interested in taking the stairs. cross in some portions. The prepared. 2 cable cars ferry passengers last leg of the trek involves back and forth. Single one- ! crossing the Wohushan way tickets are a bit Mountain which is difficult to ! 5 Gubeikou expensive compared to a say the least and can only be return ticket. Children are What makes Gubeikou truly attempted by experienced bound to have a fun day at special is the fact that it has hikers. Therefore amateur Mutianyu and so also adults not been restored and has hikers are advised to leave who can take ample pictures been pretty much left the way this trek alone. without being jostled around. it was originally. Badaling and Getting There Mutianyu have not been able ffi Hiking di culty to avoid restoration - Gubeikou is located about The trail is 2.2 km long and restorations that have 120 kms form Beijing and the hiking time generally takes decimated portions of the travel time is around 3 hours. about 2-4 hrs. The path is Great Wall to accommodate The ideal way to reach not steep at all so hiking this the large number of tourists. Gubeikou is to take a bus stretch is a pleasant Gubeikou, on the other hand, outside Sanyuanqiao subway experience in itself. has not been tampered with stop on line 10. This will take much and still maintains its you directly to Gubeikou Getting there town. Mutianyu is located at a distance of 95 km from Beijing and the travel time is around 2hrs and 30 minutes.

Bus No 867 departs from Beijing at 7:30 am and 8:30 am respectively and makes the return trip at 2 pm and 4 pm.

Another way to reach Mutianyu is to take 916 bus from Dongzhimen Station, but this bus doesn’t go all the way to the top. It goes only up to Huairou Bus Shelter. - 3 - You can also take the 980 bus 7 register they will send a code from Dongzhimen bus station Simatai to a nominated mobile phone. but it doesn’t go all the way This is a lovely portion of the The mobile phone needs to to Gubeikou. It goes up to wall and also one of my have a Chinese SIM card. Miyun, a small town located favorites. The only problem is Because the pre buying of on the route from where you that if you are visiting the tickets is not English friendly have to take another bus to Simatai Great Wall only you at the moment, this is why Gubeikou. will be taken up there as part you will need help. of a large group at a set time, ! Simatai has some unique either 10am or 2pm. If you 6 features known as “obstacle ! Jinshaling have both the Gubei Town walls”. Obstacle walls in effect ticket and the Simatai ticket Jinshanling famous for its 24 are walls within walls where ( Combo) you can visit Simatai watchtowers, located near the walls have been built into the at any time during its opening town of Gubeikou is fairly already existing walls to hours. The Simatai wall is underdeveloped. From here create an additional line of constructed on mountain trekkers can go on a 10 km defense against an invading ridges and extremely severe trek to Simatai West. The hike force. One can take the cable and rugged terrain. Adjectives takes about 4 hours where car to the top and save time such as perilous, dense, one has to pass through some in the process. A round trip diverse, artful and peculiar difficult paths with the road will cost you merely 80 Yuan. have been used to describe not being in good condition. Hawkers however are the uniqueness of Simatai. Once in Simatai, you will have undaunted by the harsh This section of the wall is 5.4 to purchase another ticket topography and can be found kms long and would take though. even here selling their wares. about 3 - 4hrs to hike. If you wish you can also hike Hiking difficulty – Very If you are only going to back to Jinshanling but you difficult. Simatai Great Wall you have to might face a bit of difficulty in reserve / pre buy tickets. Certain portions of this wall ﬁnding public transport in 40CNY ( trial opening price). are so steep that one has to Jimshaling. Of course if you Add 120CNY for the return scramble over them and not have arranged a car cable car ride. We can help hike them. Only those hikers beforehand then it is not you with this 1 to 2 days who are truly experienced much of a problem. before: www.wtown.com ( The should undertake this hike. Hiking difficulty – Moderate website is in Chinese only at Still I would recommend this the moment). Once you place; such is the beauty of it. Getting there Since reconstruction work is going on buses have stopped plying on this route.

- 4 - Best Time to Go/Climate

Weather Winter in China lasts from December through March while summers are dry and hot. Places that lie north of the Great Wall such as Inner Mongolia or Heilongjiang are colder than places that lie south of it. Here temperatures fall below freezing point, evidence of which can be found in the snow capped mountains surrounding the Great Wall. In the extreme north winters are often dry. During summer northwest China including the Great Wall are hot and dry whereas in winter the place is as cold as up north.

The summer season lasts from May to August with sometimes extending into September as well. It becomes extremely hot and humid when visiting the Great Wall during the summer months. The temperatures in Beijing sometimes reach levels of 43°C making travel difficult.

Rainfall in Beijing occurs mostly during the summer months but it receives less rainfall than South China. The ideal time to visit is spring (March to May) or autumn (September to early November). Although the days are hot, the nights are inﬁnitely cooler.

Best Time to Visit Beijing suffers from extremities of temperature. During the summer it is very hot while in

- 5 - the winter it is cold and dry spring but then dust storms pollution all combine to making for a difficult are more frequent leading to create a scenario which travelling experience. an unpleasant stay. In makes travelling and September and October are summer apart from the sightseeing difficult. One can the months suited for stiﬂing heat there are a lot go in winter but the winters travelling when the weather is many people present. The are extremely cold and people pleasant. One can visit in crowds, the heat and the might face difficulties.

What to bring

Suggested clothes for walk, Suggested clothes for walk, hike in Fall/Winter hike in Spring/Summer (October-March): (April-September): • gloves and scarf/headband • 1 pair jeans • 1 pair leggings, or light • 1 pair light-weight trousers sweat pants (in a neutral color–khaki, • 1-2 button-up-front long black, or navy) One of the essential pieces of sleeve shirt • 1 pair shorts or a skirt item you must carry along • 1-2 long sleeve t-shirts • 3-4 short sleeve t-shirts or with you is a good pair of tank tops hiking shoes. Running shoes • 1-2 short sleeve t-shirts are ok as long as it doesn’t • 1 PolarTec ﬂeece Jacket* • 1 button up front long sleeve shirt rain. Bring along with you • 1 water resistant/windproof quick dry fabrics like merino jacket (can be layered over • 1 light sweat shirt or long- wool or polypropylene as they PolarTec ﬂeece)* sleeve t-shirt tend to dry faster than cotton • 1 pair “hiking” boots or • 1 water resistant/windproof or denims. If you are visiting good walking shoes jacket in winter don’t forget to pack • 1 pair light-weight trousers • 2-4 pairs socks (depends your jacket, hat and gloves. (in a neutral color–khaki, on how much or if you plan The sun is very harsh in black, or navy) to wear sandals) Beijing and if you do not want • 1 pair “hiking” boots or to burn yourself then bring good walking shoes along your sunscreen, sunglasses and sunhat. • 1 pair sport sandals - 6 - Accommodation

Near the Great Wall you can ﬁnd local home stays owned by farmers. Although the amenities might be a bit basic the hosts more than make up for it by their warmth and hospitality. Staying in one of these farmhouses is a wonderful way of getting to know the locals and experiencing the culture of the place. The food that is served in these places is farm fresh and absolutely delicious. The rooms are equipped with ACs, television sets (some might not have TVs) and 2 single beds. Toiletries are limited so bring along your own set of towels and kits. Tours and trips

There are three portions of around 200 meters (660 feet). If you are planning to hike in the wall which deserve an The track is well formed and this region during late Spring entire day of trekking and easy to follow but there are to early Spring you can sleep those are Jiankou and some places where you must somewhere near the wall but Mutianyu in the west and walk on vertical steps, rugged if you feel that is a bit risky Gubeikou, Jinshaling and terrain or through broken you can always put up for a Simatai West. towers. night at the many hotels in the towns adjoining the wall. Gubeikou to Jinshanling Gubeikou to Jinshanling hike then to Simatai West is a good complement to Jiankou (Zhengbeilou) to ! 5 6 7 Jinshanling-Simatai. As part Mutianyu of Gubeikou goes through 3 4 The trek from Gubeikou to ! military area, You need to Jinshanling then to Simatai bypass the military section. The Jiankou portion is the West takes about 9- 12 hours Still this hike will offer you most difficult to hike through and can be done in 2 days. As something less touristy and as it has steep walls and the Simatai East is closed, the more challenging. If you are path is quite uneven making original hike from Jinshanling lucky enough to go on this hiking a difficult affair. The to Simatai can be done only hike you will be amply hike will take about 5-6 hours halfway—Simatai West. You rewarded with wonderful and can be completed in 1 will go from tower to tower views of the mountains and day. until you walk to tower 22 of countryside and also get a Simatai West. Jinshanling to As the majority of Jiankou unique picture of the un- Simatai West hike is around hikers are here for the ﬁrst restored wall at Gubeikou as 7-8 kilometres (4-5 miles) time, this hike is suitable for compared to the restored wall with a total vertical climb of all age groups with average at Jinshanling. ﬁtness. Children under ten to - 7 - senior citizens, have complete the hike and turn successfully hiked from back, at least you know the Jiankou towards Mutianyu. Safety Advice way back. You don’t need ropes or 1. During winter the climbing gear. No previous 6. Whenever humans come in conditions are less than ideal. hiking / backpacking contact with nature there is a Snow and ice make the path experience is required. possibility of being hurt. Do slippery and dangerous. It is However, weather conditions read the signs along the way therefore wiser if you travel in can make the hike a lot to remain safe. tougher than what you have a group. If you are travelling expected. For example, in hot alone, at least inform your 7. The weather is generally summer, you will feel much close family and friends of dry in Beijing. Liberally apply more difficult due to the heat your whereabouts. Anyways moisturizer to keep your skin and humidity. In winter, travelling in a group with hydrated. frozen snow and ice make the family and like-minded

Wall difficult to walk through. people is always a lot of fun. 8. Also remember to carry Moreover when travelling in a scarves and windcheaters as group, people have a support it is quite windy at the Great system to lean upon; hence Wall. they are less likely to panic. 9. If you are travelling in 2. It is a wise idea to carry summer, remember to carry your own water with you. The your sun protection gear with hike necessitates drinking you as it becomes very hot water at regular intervals. You during summer. can buy water at the top but

that is expensive, therefore it 10. When hiking through the is better to carry your own Great Wall take ample breaks water. as and when required. If necessary carry hiking poles 3. Attempt the hike only if with you to make the journey you are well-prepared for it. smoother. For instance, it would be foolhardy if you went on a 3 day hike without any advance preparation for it.

4. Ensure that you are wearing multiple layers of clothing so that you can remove or add clothes as the need arises.

5. Keep a mental note of landmarks as you hike your way up to the Great Wall. If in case you are unable to

- 8 - Money Saving Tips

1. If you are intent on saving a bit of extra money then use the services of a local travel agency to plan your trip. Not only are these travel agencies a lot more experienced as compared to their international counterparts but they charge a lot less too. You can research for yourself but if you have to use somebody’s services then it has got to be the local ones as they ensure that the tourist gets the best possible deal.

2. If you want to hire a guide then be prepared to shell out 300-500 Yuan at the minimum depending on which place you are visiting. For instance, if you wish to see Beijing then the rates would be around 300-450 Yuan per day. If it is Xian it would be 300 Yuan per day while a Great Wall tour guide will charge you about 400 Yuan or more.

3. Keep some cash handy. If there is an option then pay by credit card so that you do not run out of cash when the need arises.

4. Traveling in the off-season is another great way to save money. During the peak season the rates are at the maximum. A better idea is to travel in the off- season when not only the ﬂight and accommodation costs come down but even the entry fees of places. Add to it there are fewer tourists so you get a peaceful traveling experience.

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