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you're getting closer... keep going - Beijing
you're getting closer... keep going
by RinaNeo
Off the Beaten Path in Beijing: Great Wall tips and photos posted by real travelers and Beijing locals.
Great Wall
Badaling, Mutianyu, Simatai...
• 64 Photos
• 44 Reviews

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Beijing Great Wall ReviewsTips 1 - 10 of 44  
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Great Wall: A different experience of the famous wall
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  • By jono84 on July 30, 2004
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  • The untouched Simatai section of the wall - Beijing
    The untouched Simatai section
    of the wall
    by jono84
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    To anyone who wants to experience the Great Wall, the Simatai - Jinshanling section of the wall has to be the best place to do so. Yes, it may be more difficult to get to, and if you dont have much time, the convenient package coach tours that every hotel seems to run to the Badaling part of the wall do allow a quicker alternative. The Simatai section offers a more authentic experience; its untouched, which also means its dangerous, but thats make it more of an adventure. Its also very quiet; you would be unlucky to see anymore than a dozen people throughout a 5hour+ visit. Shedloads of tourists are taken to the completely restored Badaling section every day, and overcrowding would make it difficult to really allow the immensity of the view to sink in.

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  • Website: http://badaling.gov.cn/english/history/history.htm

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    Great Wall: Huang Hua Section - Great Wall
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  • By Lemonita on June 10, 2005
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  • Great Wall - Beijing
    by Lemonita
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    Huang Hua is a section of the Great Wall which is situated at around 2 hours drive (from Downtown) on the north east. We had actually called for a driver at an agency which is specialized in tours to different sections of the Great Wall. The day trip cost us 400 RMB, which we think was reasonable. Huang Hua isn't that "wild" as the area is quite well maintained and we observed quite a lot of people (well more than I expected actually). The Great Wall itself is very impressive as it built at the top of a mountain... Please see it for yourself on the pic ! Apart from that, climbing on the Great Wall doesn't require a lot of physical strength, the little hike around the mountain on which the Wall is quite nice and relaxing... It is a nice day trip from the bustling city of Beijing !

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    Great Wall: Go beyond the wall
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  • Updated By SirRichard on February 25, 2003
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  • climb in the wild side!! - Beijing
    climb in the wild side!!
    by SirRichard
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    When you go visit the Wall, there are a few kilometres restored where most of the people go, real crowds in summer!! But if you go a bit further, the wall begins to be a bit ruined, tourists don't dare to go so far, and you can end up being totally alone at the original wall, surrounded by woods and nice landscapes... anyway, it takes a few kilometres to get there, but is worth the effort!

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    Great Wall: Go to the end
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  • By rafscab on April 13, 2006
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  • Ruins of the Great Wall at Badaling - Beijing
    Ruins of the Great Wall at
    Badaling
    by rafscab
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    Badaling Section of the Great Wall is a restored site for touristic purposes. But if you have the time, legs and lungs enough to walk for a while going up and downs the hills, you'll reach the end of the restored section and you'll find the "real" wall, ruins, almost untouched since the original constructors 1000 years ago.

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  • Website: http://badaling.gov.cn/english/history/history.htm

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    Great Wall: Huanghua Great Wall
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  • By aukjejetty on May 2, 2003
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  • Huanghuacheng - Beijing
    Huanghuacheng
    by aukjejetty
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    If you want to get away from the commerce and busy life in the city (and from the many tourists), it is a good idea to go this part of the Great Wall. Huanghuacheng is about 60km north of Beijing. You can reach it by bus, see my Huanghuacheng page for all the detailes of this experience.

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    Great Wall: Visit the Great Wall all alone
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  • Updated By Anouk&Ric on November 15, 2003
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  • not renovated ! - Beijing
    not renovated !
    by Anouk&Ric
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    Visit a portion of the Great Wall totally pure, and not renovated, though perfectly accessible. It is about 90 kms north of Beijing at the border with Hebei. 400 Yuan from Beijing inclusive Taxi ; Local guide : Lei (Tel. 67349509) will take you there.

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  • Website: www.xiangshuihu.com

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    Great Wall: Most Popular for Tour Groups
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  • Updated By keeweechic on August 27, 2003
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  • Great Wall - Beijing
    by keeweechic
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    If you want to join busloads of, head for the area of the wall at Badaling, about 70 kms (43 miles) northwest of Beijing. The 'remote' part of the wall at Mutianyu (about 90 kms/56 miles northeast of Beijing) isn't so remote any longer but is still less crowded than Badaling. (See additional Travelogue for more pics).

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    Great Wall: Unrestored Great Wall at Jiakou, Huairou, Beijing
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  • Updated By towkay on October 6, 2004
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  • Jiankou Great Wall, Jiankou, Huairou, Beijing - Beijing
    Jiankou Great Wall,
    Jiankou, Huairou, Beijing
    by towkay
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    This is one of the most secenic stretch of Great Wall around Beijing. This is the REAL deal, not some touristic Disney-style walls restored to please you. Most outdoor-type Beijing folks heard about it, and most have seen a picture of it, cos it is known as the most photographed stretch of Great Wall in China. However, getting there is difficult. Almost impossible without a car and an experienced guide. Most of the wall is in ruins, so the climb itself is extremely dangerous. A few lives were lost in the past few years. But if you want to see the real thing, this is as real as it gets!

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    Great Wall: Go fishing after visiting the Great Wall
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  • Updated By josieling on March 3, 2003
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  • See the next picture when the fish is caught. - Beijing
    See the next picture when the
    fish is caught.
    by josieling
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    Might be a little hard to do. But if you can get your hands on a local driver (foreigners are not allowed to drive in Beijing), then ask him to take you to the fish farms near Simatai Great Wall. There you can join the locals in fishing for salmon or other fish in the ponds and have them prepare it for you-sashimi, steamed or fried! Gotta speak Mandarin though.

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    Great Wall: Chosing between Mutianyu or Simatai or Jinchanling
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  • By oliviertia on October 4, 2004
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  • Mutianyu - Beijing
    Mutianyu
    by oliviertia
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    How to choose between the different sites ? I visited the first 3, so I can give some advice: - Jinchanling to Simatai: far away (3 hours), difficult to get there unless you book some kind of tour. Very hard walk on some treacherous bits as the wall was partially restored. Wonderful scenery, then it gets less interesting as you walk downhill. Only foreign tourists. rather expensive as you are asked to pay for extras (entrance fees twice + toll for a bridge) - Simatai: far (2.5 hours) restored. Very steep. Scenery unfolds as you keep climbing up and up. If you are tired, you can always go down. Hard walk, but always safe. Indeed this summer they paved the path from the car park to the Wall. - Mutianyu: closer to BJ. (2 hours). cheaper. Steep climb to access the wall, but then gentle ups and downs. I recommend using the cable car to save energy. Very wide. You can see very long stretches of the wall. Very green. More tourists (Chinese+Foreigners)

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