Great Wall - Simatai, Beijing

the Great Wall at Simati The Forbidden City
Everyone who goes to China sees the Great Wall, but the wall is very different depending on where you go. If you go to the popular areas, the wall will look just as it does in the pictures...fully restored, crowded with thousands of tourists and hundreds of tour buses. If you choose to go to a spot like Simati, you will have to spend more time to get there, but in my opinion, its worth it. The wall in this area is not restored at all (at least when I was there in '95). Not only that, but I maybe saw 10 other tourists the entire 4 hours I was there. To make things more interesting, in this area, the wall climbs high atop the ridge of a mountain, where at some points, because of the sheer cliffs on either side, the wall is only a few feet wide. Spending a day hiking up the wall, here, will leave you inspired and amazed at how, hundred of years ago, people made it to such remote regions and built such an unbeleivable structure. In my opinion, this is truly a must see.............the Forbidden City is something that is on most people's to do list, and for good reason. I don't believe a description is needed, simply rent a headset and let Roger Moore (aka James Bond) lead you through the unbelievable city.

We decided to go to a section that's not been Disney-fied (e.g. Badaling). Be aware that Simatai is much more difficult to get to. If you have at least two persons in your party, hire a car from Beijing for the day. If you are adventurous, take the 980 bus from Beijing long distance bus terminal. It's 15 RMB one way. And then you still need to hire a car to go another 70KM. The payoff is that this section of the wall has not been restored, and dates from 600 years ago Ming Dynasty. A long chair lift and short tram makes it a little easier to get up to the wall. The view is spectacular. Very few other tourists, no vendors, just a few tauts trying to sell you photo books. Get there early if you want to do the 10 Km hike.

When I climbed the Great Wall, it was such an exhilarating experience. It looked awesome, more like a bridge than a wall too with steep narrow steps up to the highest part of every station.

As we know by now it is the only structure visible from the moon and I am not surprised. It is really humongous and chunky!

I touched and felt each brick in one part of the wall after every few metres!

There are amenities right under the wall, incuding rows and rows of stalls selling all sorts of products- souvenirs, Mao caps, trinket boxes, etc. As you know the Chinese, they are very astute busnesspeople too!

According to WIKIPEDIA, Badaling Great Wall is situated in Yanqing County, over 70 kilometres (43 miles) north of Beijing. It is the most well-preserved section of the Great Wall, built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Itis indeed fascinating part of Chinese history and still remains a formidable proof of this great country's wealth and heritage.

By the way, my trip was sponsored by the Chinese Embassy in Manila.

I have found another photo from my China trip but it needed scanning so please bear with me!

4 more images

1. The Simatai

A. The Wall itself

Standing at the parking lot, you see the wall crawing on the rooster-crest-like mountain range. It is breathe taking view. After you go through the entrance, you soon come to a bridge on a stream, where you need to decide to take cable car or walk. Then there is zigzag walking way leading to the wall. On the road you see stream, the mandarin duck lake (a reservoir), a slide on the lake, and the suspension bridge that connect Jinshanling and Simatai at the foot of the mountain. When you come to the starting point (pretty high already), you already see the landscape of Jinshanling. When you start climbing, a local villager will begin to offer her/his help in exchange of selling some postcard or books. They are locals and normally will ask permission before they offer their service, though you have your guide. The beginning part seems very difficult. When you come to the 8th tower, you can see most of the landscape there, esp. Jinshuanling Great Wall. If you take cable car down, 8th tower is the place. After 10th, you begin see the cliff on both sides of the wall. There are 2 guards standing at the 13th tower to stop tourists to go further. 99% of the bricks, granite base is original.

B. Landscape

The wall was built on a rock mountain. There are no so many vegetations here. But air at Simatai is clean and fresh. There are no foggy days. The sky there is always crystal clear. The height of the mountain enables you to have the most exciting view of landscape. You can really see far away.

C. Surrounding area

The road leading to Simatai is also the road to Cheng De Summer resort, a summer resort for Qing (1644-1911) emperor. Before your arrival at Simatai, you drive by Mi Yun reservoir, the biggest one in Beijing. You see huge fish at the fishing season. It is also the most important drinking water resource. There are many orchards in this area.

D. People at Simatai

They are less modernized, more friend, farmer like people. They will not play the one dollar one T-shirt trick on you. They sell home made dry fruit and pumpkin in autumn. If you live in the local family, they generally will treat as friend rather than customers. Their life is very much different from that of Beijing.

2. Mutianyu

A. The Wall itself

The wall was built in less steep mountain with well preserved original appearance.

There are one Nippon made cable car (orange) on your left hand and an open cable car and a toboggan on your right hand. If you choose to walk up the steps are 950. Unlike Badaling, it is much less crowded and it has amore beautiful surroundings, quiet and serene.



B. Landscape

The mountain here is not real high. Sometimes it is little bit foggy here. But this section is call garden of Beijing. You see lots of chestnut tree one the mountain with many squirrels jump along the brink of the wall. You can not see so far away partly because it is not the highest point, partly because the occasional fog.



C. Surrounding

There are a Hong Luo temple and a Yan Xi Lake nearby. This area is famous for its fish and fruit. Beijingners come from downtown to have their fish banquet here.



D. People

They more modernized and get used to deal with oversea tourist. They are very nice towards Chinese while they treat you as business partners.

Introduction to Chengde, Mountain Resort for Emperor

By the end of the 17th century the Qing emperors had established their capital at Beijing, and they began to look around for somewhere cool and green to retreat to when the dusty heat of summer set in. They found what they were looking for at Chengde, beyond the Great Wall.

Here they created a summer residence, exploiting mountains, woods and other existing natural features to which they added contrived landscapes to make settings for innumerable pavillions, palaces and temples. Construction took a total of 87 years. The buildings and gardens cover an area of 560 hectares, and are surrounded by a wall 10 km. long.

Outside the palace walls, to the north and west, a total of 11 temples were built. Many of them were built in Tibetan style. Divided into eight groups, they became known as the Eight Outer Temples. The main gates of these buildings pointed towards the palace, symbolising the unity of China's various ethnic groups under the central rule of the Qing emperors.

2 more images

1. The Simatai

A. The Wall itself

Standing at the parking lot, you see the wall crawing on the rooster-crest-like mountain range. It is breathe taking view. After you go through the entrance, you soon come to a bridge on a stream, where you need to decide to take cable car or walk. Then there is zigzag walking way leading to the wall. On the road you see stream, the mandarin duck lake (a reservoir), a slide on the lake, and the suspension bridge that connect Jinshanling and Simatai at the foot of the mountain. When you come to the starting point (pretty high already), you already see the landscape of Jinshanling. When you start climbing, a local villager will begin to offer her/his help in exchange of selling some postcard or books. They are locals and normally will ask permission before they offer their service, though you have your guide. The beginning part seems very difficult. When you come to the 8th tower, you can see most of the landscape there, esp. Jinshuanling Great Wall. If you take cable car down, 8th tower is the place. After 10th, you begin see the cliff on both sides of the wall. There are 2 guards standing at the 13th tower to stop tourists to go further. 99% of the bricks, granite base is original.

B. Landscape

The wall was built on a rock mountain. There are no so many vegetations here. But air at Simatai is clean and fresh. There are no foggy days. The sky there is always crystal clear. The height of the mountain enables you to have the most exciting view of landscape. You can really see far away.

C. Surrounding area

The road leading to Simatai is also the road to Cheng De Summer resort, a summer resort for Qing (1644-1911) emperor. Before your arrival at Simatai, you drive by Mi Yun reservoir, the biggest one in Beijing. You see huge fish at the fishing season. It is also the most important drinking water resource. There are many orchards in this area.

D. People at Simatai

They are less modernized, more friend, farmer like people. They will not play the one dollar one T-shirt trick on you. They sell home made dry fruit and pumpkin in autumn. If you live in the local family, they generally will treat as friend rather than customers. Their life is very much different from that of Beijing.

2. Mutianyu

A. The Wall itself

The wall was built in less steep mountain with well preserved original appearance.

There are one Nippon made cable car (orange) on your left hand and an open cable car and a toboggan on your right hand. If you choose to walk up the steps are 950. Unlike Badaling, it is much less crowded and it has amore beautiful surroundings, quiet and serene.



B. Landscape

The mountain here is not real high. Sometimes it is little bit foggy here. But this section is call garden of Beijing. You see lots of chestnut tree one the mountain with many squirrels jump along the brink of the wall. You can not see so far away partly because it is not the highest point, partly because the occasional fog.



C. Surrounding

There are a Hong Luo temple and a Yan Xi Lake nearby. This area is famous for its fish and fruit. Beijingners come from downtown to have their fish banquet here.



D. People

They more modernized and get used to deal with oversea tourist. They are very nice towards Chinese while they treat you as business partners.

2 more images

1. The Simatai

A. The Wall itself

Standing at the parking lot, you see the wall crawing on the rooster-crest-like mountain range. It is breathe taking view. After you go through the entrance, you soon come to a bridge on a stream, where you need to decide to take cable car or walk. Then there is zigzag walking way leading to the wall. On the road you see stream, the mandarin duck lake (a reservoir), a slide on the lake, and the suspension bridge that connect Jinshanling and Simatai at the foot of the mountain. When you come to the starting point (pretty high already), you already see the landscape of Jinshanling. When you start climbing, a local villager will begin to offer her/his help in exchange of selling some postcard or books. They are locals and normally will ask permission before they offer their service, though you have your guide. The beginning part seems very difficult. When you come to the 8th tower, you can see most of the landscape there, esp. Jinshuanling Great Wall. If you take cable car down, 8th tower is the place. After 10th, you begin see the cliff on both sides of the wall. There are 2 guards standing at the 13th tower to stop tourists to go further. 99% of the bricks, granite base is original.

B. Landscape

The wall was built on a rock mountain. There are no so many vegetations here. But air at Simatai is clean and fresh. There are no foggy days. The sky there is always crystal clear. The height of the mountain enables you to have the most exciting view of landscape. You can really see far away.

C. Surrounding area

The road leading to Simatai is also the road to Cheng De Summer resort, a summer resort for Qing (1644-1911) emperor. Before your arrival at Simatai, you drive by Mi Yun reservoir, the biggest one in Beijing. You see huge fish at the fishing season. It is also the most important drinking water resource. There are many orchards in this area.

D. People at Simatai

They are less modernized, more friend, farmer like people. They will not play the one dollar one T-shirt trick on you. They sell home made dry fruit and pumpkin in autumn. If you live in the local family, they generally will treat as friend rather than customers. Their life is very much different from that of Beijing.

2. Mutianyu

A. The Wall itself

The wall was built in less steep mountain with well preserved original appearance.

There are one Nippon made cable car (orange) on your left hand and an open cable car and a toboggan on your right hand. If you choose to walk up the steps are 950. Unlike Badaling, it is much less crowded and it has amore beautiful surroundings, quiet and serene.



B. Landscape

The mountain here is not real high. Sometimes it is little bit foggy here. But this section is call garden of Beijing. You see lots of chestnut tree one the mountain with many squirrels jump along the brink of the wall. You can not see so far away partly because it is not the highest point, partly because the occasional fog.



C. Surrounding

There are a Hong Luo temple and a Yan Xi Lake nearby. This area is famous for its fish and fruit. Beijingners come from downtown to have their fish banquet here.



D. People

They more modernized and get used to deal with oversea tourist. They are very nice towards Chinese while they treat you as business partners.

4 more images

If you've never been to The Great Wall of China, surely you've seen pictures of it. When you visit The Great Wall, or rather, a section of it, for it is physically impossible to visit the entire Great Wall at one time (but it may be visually possible to see it all at once, from space), it may look just as it does in the pictures you've seen.

There are two sections of the Wall at Si'ma'tai, divided into the East and West sections, linked by a chain bridge. The towers in the East section go up to number 12 - anything beyond that is unrestored and thus access is restricted. The towers in the West go up to 18 and beyond ...

Lazy bums can choose to ride the cable cars up to the East 12 tower, and fork out RMB30 (single way) or RMB50 (return). Those who walk will need approximately 1.5 hours to get to East 12 tower, and lots of water and a comfortable pair of footwear. There are vendors selling drinks and ice lollies along the way, so you may get by even if you didn't bring your own.

At the lower part of the East section, there is a zipline and boatride novelty ride for those who have RMB35. They hook you up to a zipline and you go zipping through the air down to the landing area by the dam, after which you get onto a little boat that takes you to another landing area across the dam.

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Lo mas aconsejable es coger un viaje organizado, ya que llegar hasta alli, que aunque es posible, son cerca de 4h de viaje desde el centro de pekin y 2 transbordos (por lo menos) en autobuses. Los choferes no suelen saber mucho (por no decir nada) de ingles y es bastante problable que os perdais. Cada hotel en pekin tiene su tour, Nosotros cogimos el de un albergue de la juventud en un huton al otro lado del hotel internacional.

Llegas despues de 4 horas de viaje a un parking donde te deja el autobus y subes por un telesferico (despues de pagar la entrada) al comienzo de la caminata.

MUY MUY MUY IMPORTANTE, LLEVAR DINERO DE SOBRA Y BASTANTE

entre los 11 km que dura la caminata hay "peajes" que tienes que pagar si quieres llegar hasta donde te espera el autobus, sino tienes que darte la media vuelta y volver a donde as salido PERO EL AUTOBUS DE TO TOUR NO ESTA, asi que llevar bastante dinero para no tener que volver desde simatai andando hasta pekin.

A pesar de los "peajes" es precioso recorrer los 11 km de subidas y bajadas por la gran muralla en esta zona. Ha ciertos tramos que tienes que dejar la camara a la espalda y subir a cuatro patas y bajar con el culo porque las escaleras son muy empinadas pero la belleza del paisaje perdona todo, incluso los "pejaes"

For the ticket, it's a bit tricky.

entrance for Si Ma Tai is 30 RMB. but if u plan to walk from there to Jin Shang Ling, u need to pass a bridge, it cost 5 RMB per person. Then on the half way, u need to get another ticket to Jin Shang Ling Great Wall, it cost 30 RMB again.

I went to the great wall with arranged transport from my hostel. While it is possible to get to these locations cheeper with local transport, it is tricky.

When I went it was a great day, few tourists, and clear skies. I hiked with a few others from one part to the other. It was enjoyable to see the wall transition from remodeled to crumbling and back. There were a few people who follow you trying to sell you a few things, just remember the key phrase, 'bu yao' to tell them you don't want any, and they might go away.

I have second hand stories of people having a terrible time at Badaling. I didn't go there, but I can say that these two locations and ecspecially the hike is worth the time and money to get there.