I have difficulty climbing. How much of the Wall will I be able to see? Any advice on the easiest way to do it?

Hi

It depends which part of the wall you go to. I have heard that Badaling is pretty well restored and it should be accessible. I went to Simatai and it was pretty steep some places but it doesn't really require any climbing. I have posted a trip report with pictures on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com/china_beijing.htm Maybe you can find some useful info there.

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

Badaling should be doable for you. However, some of the climb along the wall does get fairly steep. Gettting up to the top of the first portion, though, was easy enough, even in the cold November wind with children ages 4, 6, and 8.

i've seen photos of the badaling section that showed handrails.
i did the simitai and jinshaling (sp?) sections, and would only recommend them for sure-footed people in good physical condition. it was amazing, and remote, just what we were looking for.

I forgot to add that some sections of the wall also have a cable car, which allows older or disabled travellers the opportunity to view the wall. i think badaling has this, but i'm not positive

The Great Wall at Mutiyanu has a cable car which takes you all the way to the top. You have to walk a couple of blocks (fairly flat) to get to the cable car from the parking lot. An easy ride on the cable car and you're on top of the wall.

We climbed the wall at Badaling last year and I consider myself in pretty good shape, but it was one of the toughest things I have ever did. It took us over an hour to get to the top and my husband kept saying I'd get a certificate if I went all the way and I said I deserved a gold medal...the funny thing was when we got to the top there was a guy there with gold medals and he would engrave your name on it...of course I had to get one! They do have a cable car at Badaling but be darned if we could find where you catch it. The embarassing thing was 80 year old Chinese ladies were passing me like I was standing still!

If you require extra time, then be sure your trip to the Wall allows enough time for you. You may also wish to choose an area of the Wall without a whole lot of people who might bump into you.

It could also be important for you to consider what time of year you climb the wall. In the summer, when I've gone, the heat and humidity can be as much of an obstacle as the height or the climb itself.

Though it is about 3 hours from town, climbing the wall Jinshanling would offer an uncrowded opportunity. It takes about 20 minutes of walking up a gradual elevation of recently made steps to get to the Wall itself. Then you are on the Wall and can go where you like.

How much can you see? At Jinshanling as far as the eye can see. I have been on the wall at Badaling but the views from Jinshanling and the lack of any other people there made for an entirely different (better) experience.

You can also stay overnight on the Wall at this location.

Here is a link to my trip report on Fodor's Asia Forum. The report contains a link to many pictures of the wall from Jinshanglin. The first part of the report is on Beijing and the Wall.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34700041

If access does not work for some reason, feel free to email.

They say that if you climb the badaling wall then you are a true hero. I'm an ex cross country runner but its still tough work. Lots of older people made it to the end (heading left as we were unable to head right) so it can be done BUT don;t do badaling.

Marija said "The Great Wall at Mutiyanu has a cable car which takes you all the way to the top".

Go to Mutianyu. There are 2 cable cars. go the left one if you want a more gentle walk. walk to the right one whichy is mostly downhill and then cable car down (or slide which is fun) back to the car park

there is no easy way. it's a looooong climb. try to go there just before sunset to get a really magnificent view!

'I went to Simatai and it was pretty steep some places but it doesn't really require any climbing. '

I'm sorry but I have to strongly disagree with this comment, Gard. I'm not sure how you can say it doesn't require climbing, how else would one get there up there?

You do have to be in somewhat decent shape, not atheletic but enough to climb up and down for several hours. It is hard on the knees and thighs...I was sore for about a week and I workout regularly.

The first 7-8 towers are ok but after that it's pretty scary because the wall is actually crumbling. I actually stopped because I was terrified. Mind you, I went in March when it's still snow covered and slippery. On top of that it's EXTREMELY narrow. I read in a guidebook that people are in tears and on all 4 fours when they're coming back down (past the 8th tower).

It's an awesome experience none the less.

Hi Oceania

I guess it depends what you are used to Check out this picture: http://gardkarlsen.com/kjerag/gard_at_kjerag.jpg

Also I guess it is due to limited English knowledge. When I think climbing I think rock climbing where you are hanging on to avoid falling down. Yes, at Simatai there is an inclination and going uphill can of course strain the legs if you are not used to it

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

Awesome picture Gard. Wow! That looks scary. When I went it was gray and snowing...looks so different from your pic.

No, I wasn't talking rock climbing, climbing in the sense you have to walk upwards...which is climbing really...but the English language is all over the place so I guess it's just a mis-communication.

I will check out your website in more,it looks aweome. I wish I did that when I first started my travels. I keep a written journal and had a film camera for all of my trips except Peru (finally bought a digital camera).

Ticket of cable car in Badaling cost only RMB 30.00. This was the price when I was there last year. I went there in group, so it might be cheaper. Not sure how much it cost for single purchaser.

I would suggest going to Mutyanu. There is an enclosed cable car going up. Then you can explore the wall (there are some steep stair sections and some flat sections) and go back to the cable car.

Or you can walk (probably about a mile) and go down on a chair lift. There is also a luge by the chair lift....but I don't think you want to do that!

I agree, you should go to the Great Wall at Mutianyu. A relatively easy sloped walk leads you to the cable car from the parking lot. At the top of the cable car there is a short (albeit steep) stairway to the top of the wall. From there you can walk to the left and have a pretty easy walk for a while--at least enough to get some great pictures and enjoy the panorama. If you want to walk more, it is really not hard, but the stairs are very steep. It depends on whether you really have limited ability or just aren't in great shape. If you just aren't in great shape, you should be able to do Mutianyu quite easily. If you have significant breathing or joint issues, you should still be able to see the top of the wall if you take your time.

You can see exactly what to expect at Mutianyu from my pictures taken emember 2004. We were lucky, there was almost no one else on the Wall that day!

http://www.photosite.com/patpom/china2004/TheGreatWall/

if there is no one around then don't stop when poeple come to you selling things. Just don't stop because if you do stop, even to be nice or to look, they'll follow and follow (if no one else is around)

BostonHarbour...what great photos! I have sent the url to my girlfriend & her husband who will be travelling with us this Fall when we do a 12-day tour of China (Beijing-Xian-Guilin-Shanghi) and then followed by 5 days for them in Hong Kong (12 days for us because we have family there).

I can't beleive how you are dressed for September! I heard it was cold up there.

Betty

Hi Betty in Toronto,

My fingers slipped and I didn't proof read when I typed the date. I wasn't there in September. It was early November. The leaves were turning gorgeous fall colors and it was lightly snowing. It was so enchanting to be there, essentially alone on the Great Wall--it gave me chills.

Have a great time on your trip. Sounds like a terrific itinerary.

I climbed the Juyongguan's southern "Nan Pass" in late March: I live at 6800 ft (2072 meters) and walk the local steep hills lots.
The treck was difficult with many variable height steps. I was soaking wet at the top and very cold walking down.
Not recommended for those with physical limitations.
M