What is this hike really like? We've read that it's 20KM long but that it takes as little as 2 hours to complete (which seems very quick for 12 miles)--to 4 1/2 hours (which seems more reasonable). We're a group of ten people ranging in age and activity level from 4 to well over 40. Are we nuts to be even thinking about this? Do you have to do the whole hike once you start, or are there places where you can "cut out" in the middle. And, on a completely obnoxious, American note, has anyone tried their cell phone while in this area?

Thanks

i'm not sure if you are asking about the section between jinshanling to simitai or the more difficult simitai section, but i can at least help with the jinshanling to simitai section.

that section is about 17K long, lots of steep ups & downs and quite scary downhills toward the end, since it is quicte rocky.

our group, age ranged from 34 to 52 (most in our early 40's) did the hike in 4 hours. our 52 year old ended up taking a spur trail after deciding the ups & downs were going to be too much. a couple of villagers guided her thru that section, going thru a few small villages and gave her a real interesting view of the wall. then she met up with us at some point near the end.

and a real interesting note was that, yes, with a proper phone, you can actually get a phone call on the wall (to my amazement!).

see this section very soon. there is a lot of development happening on this section (prob. due to the upcoming olympics) will soon no longer be "wild".

Hi Quimbymoy:

In another posting, you mentioned Alan as a guide for your great wall trip--did you contact him directly or through China Highlights/CITS in Beijing? May I ask how much this particular tour cost?

Thanks for all your advice.

We got Alan thru the CITS office. I can't tell you how much the tour cost, since we bought a package. But if you want to contact him directly, his email address is: [email protected]. i also have a mobile number for him if you can't get him there. Tell him I said hello!

By the way, be prepared for the throngs of villagers who will follow you throughout the route. They'll want you to buy something, books, postcards, etc. It was annoying and Alan tried shooing them but they are persistent... but if you need help with footing on the hike, they will help you. Then just buy a book. For the US$16 I spent on a book, I also had a personal sherpa... their English is remarkabkly good too.

Hi Quimbymoy:

Thanks again for posting to all my queries. If you have the time, I was wondering if you could list some of the things that were highlights for you, but perhaps slightly off the beaten track?

Thanks again.

hi momto3,
don't know how "off the beaten path" these are, but these areas weren't crowded with tourists...

highlights of our trip included:

1. of course, the great wall hike. we also had a nice farmer's lunch at the home of alan's parents.

2. in xi'an, biking around the city wall. enter from the south gate (Y40 entrance, Y15 to rent a bike), about a 10 mile ride around the wall. it was fun and you get a bird's eye view of living conditions and all the new construction around the city. also, if your stomach can handle it, take a walk around the muslim section, past all the shopping stalls. reaaaallly interesting. lots of storefronts with various animal body parts.

3. in guilin, visiting the rice terraces in longsheng, about 2.5 hours outside of guilin. spectacular! i enjoyed seeing this more than the li river cruise, although we had a blast playing cards with other travelers on the cruise.

4. eating in local places everywhere. in general, very good & very inexpensive. although we couldn't communicate, half the fun was trying to order and seeing what we'd end up with! gotta keep an open mind ;-)

5. visiting the watertown of tongli (near shanghai & suzhou). very quaint & charming.

when are you planning on visiting china?

tina

Hi Tina:

Thanks for all your info. We're leaving this Saturday for almost two weeks! I emailed Alan but haven't heard from him yet. We're hoping it won't be too cold on the wall--but better cold than wet!

Thanks again.

amy

hi amy!

alan's cell # is (in case you don't hear from him) :
+86-13810585472 (kind of odd, but that's what's on his card...).

and if you do get him as a guide, tell him that tina & her 7 crazy friends from chicago say HELLO!

have a great time in china!
tina

That cell phone number looks correct to me. 86 is the country code for China and all cell phone numbers I've seen start with 13. Have a great trip amy!