North Latitudes Business Hotel
5 Changchun Qiao Road, Beijing, Beijing, 100089, China
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Prime beef and some veggies
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Forum Posts
Heavenly Ladder
by glenn57
I have a few questions about the "Heavenly Ladder" that is on the Great Wall, I think in the Simatai section.
(1) If I do the walk from Jingshanling to Simatai on the Wall, do I have to go oup the Heavenly Ladder, or is there some way around it ?
(2) Is it dangerous ? Do people fall to their deaths on it ?
(3) Are there chains to hold on to ?
(4) Is it scarier going up it, or down it ?
Re: Heavenly Ladder
by buffalo_soldier
Hi Glen. I stayed in Beijing for 11 months few years ago. A handful of friends went to Simatai instead of Badaling. I wasn't able to join them at that time but they told me it was a 'true' Great Wall expriecnce due to the ruins and the unrestoed section of Simatai. Based from my friends stories, it was very scenic and it was quite an adventure(meaning poses danger because of the lack of railings). I've only been to Badaling section and i was not very impessed.
Re: Heavenly Ladder
by wwroam
I walked the Simatai section in Sep 03 ( but never Badalang). The section of the wall you refer to, and my recollection may be incorrect, is a very steep section of pathway ( approximately 70 Deg from the horizontal. It is not unsafe. Back then , I was in a party of 7, and we were tagged most of the way by a party of water, postcard and guide book sellers. One of these people showed me a way to get out of climbing the " ladder", by coming down from the wall and skirting around the side of the hill. The ladder certainly looks steep, and I was getting fairly tired by the time we reached this point. It got me an extra 15 mins. of rest and I finished the days hiking fairly comfortably. If you get the chance to avoid it like me, it may be a good move.
Re: Heavenly Ladder
by reeya
That part is quite steep but I never felt any danger considering I was hangover when I did it. This is quite at the top of Simatai though so if coming from Jinshaling you might not even reach that far and decide to descend. I remember no railings at this portion or something to hold on to (unless you crawl) but the steps are wide enough. You can stay in the middle if you feel unsafe. Also you have the option to walk around it like someone else mentioned.
The Jinshaling-Simatai wall is awesome especially off season. I did it with my mate and it was just the two of us out there (the touts/sellers gave up on us way down below).
Re: Heavenly Ladder
by adoc
All your worries about Heavenly Ladder are unnecessary because Heavenly Laddar at Simatai section are not open to the tourists any longer for the safty sake of the tourists.
After such a long hike from Jinshanling section, most people choose to get off the great wall right at the East No.2 Watch Tower of Simatai section. Only few people choose to continue the hike to the East No.12 Watch Tower, and then back to the East No.2 to get off the Wall. The last 4 watch towers (East No.13-No.16), where Heavenly Laddar belongs, are not open to the public anymore. See the map of Simatai section of Great Wall from this address:
http://www.ho-u.com/zh-hans/node/989?size=preview
(click "original" to enlarge the picture) you will then understand what I said.
Re: Heavenly Ladder
by lonelypaw
Excellent info!
Travel Tips for Beijing
Dress up like an Emperor/Empress
by Penelope4
I have been to countries where shops provide costumes and produce nostalgic-looking photographs like it was taken decades ago. Beijing has, to my surprise, many costume shops in tourist spots which allow you to dress up like a majestic Chinese persona and have your photo taken and keep forever - all in a matter of 3 minutes. And the price - believe me - is very affordable. I have worn four costumes so I look like an Empress of 4 different dynasties (ha!). One of them shows the Great Wall behind me. They did not mount it - I was crazy enough to wear the costume, didn't mind the tourists around me, and had a photo taken at the Great Wall!
Friendly people
by sifrim
I met the lady in the Temple of Heaven Park, early in the morning. She was very friendly, started talking to me (of course, apart from 'Ni hao' I couldn't understand what she was saying) and when I asked her, through signs, whether I can photograph her, she accepted with pleasure.
I generally notice that Chinese people have a passion for photography. Even the locals take shots everywhere.
Games at the Temple of Heaven
by John195123
Hang out with the locals and play cards or other games in the shade at the Temple of Heaven. It seems like a good hang-out, and, especially if you speak Chinese, a good place to be with the locals.
Two images.
Please Bargain!
by sheryl_tan about Hongqiao Market (Pearl Market)
Wanted to get a pair of shoes. Asked for the price. It was 780 yuan. I was stunned. That's the price I'm paying at a shopping centre at Orchard Road in Singapore. I turned and wanted to leave. Jerome asked for 80 yuan. I looked at him in disbelief, it's too much to bargain for. I thought he was trying his luck. We were leaving when the saleslady quickly stopped us and gave us the price that he asked for!
It was simply too amazing! From 780 yuan to 80 yuan! I've a bargaining master on my side. :) Just don't think that you have got a good deal when you've managed to half the price.
Since we stayed at a dorm for...
by jeaniek13
Since we stayed at a dorm for students studying Chinese, most of whom were Korean, we went to eat Korean food, drink, play billiards, and ended up going singing in K-town. Another night, we went to a hotel night club. That was entertaining, to see the Chinese bust-a-move. Well, the dressiest article of clothing I brought was a pair of jeans and my knock-off TEVA sandles. So, that tells you my attire, even for that night of clubbing.
Questions and Answers
Q: Tour "We are group of 3 kiwi students with 2.5 full days to explore in Beijing on a budget. Want to see the 'must do's' great..."
A: "Two and a half days would be enough for what you mentioned. You won't need a tour for visiting these places except Great Wall. If you choose Badaling section, you can do..."
Read 2 Replies ยป
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