criley

One of my favorite places in China. I recomend doing the hike from Jinshanling to Simatai, depending on your pace and ability it should take 5-8 hours. It is one of the best ways to see the wall as it has many unrestored sections and incredible views. We went at high season (oct) and saw maybe 20 other people on the whole hike which was about 20k although it can be as little as 12 depending on where you start and end.

Yesterday we hiked from Gubeikou to Jinshanling. To my surprise Jinshanling was almost completely unrecognizable to the wall we hike only 9 months ago. Most of Jinshanling section of the great wall as been rebuilt and lost much of its charm that caused me to enjoy it so during our last hike. The wall is much easier and more accessible now but it was also much more crowded than i remember. Where last year we saw only 6 or 7 other people on the wall there were groups of 20 or 30 there now; this as opposed to Gubeikou where we saw only one other group of 3 all day. For those wishing to see some “wild wall” Gubeikou is still a good choice but be aware it is a difficult hike that will often times take you along side the wall or off it is as the wall itself is impassable in spots.

it is a great trip for anyone spending significant time in the Beijing area. Located 4-5 hours outside the city by train or bus Chengde is a small town with clean air (rare in china) and some great sites. Key things to see; Summer Resort a huge park that has a feel of that of the summer palace but the area is much larger, Putuozhongcheng a mini potala palace, and punyin temple. There are also other outlying temples, and make hiking/climbing trails making a stay of a few more days worth it if you have time. Entrance is to sites is expensive by China standards (90 yuan, 40 yuan, and 50 yuan for the sites mentioned above in order). Transportation however is cheep no place in town should be more than 10 yuan by taxi.