Last week we mentioned going on a hike with a group called the Beijing Hikers to the Yellow Grass Plateau. We recently went on another amazing trip with the same group, this time to a less known section on the Great Wall. We hiked a 20 km (12 mile) section of the wall from Gubeiko (古北口) to Jinshaling (金山岭) to Simatai (司马台). The visit was spectacular and truly awe-inspiring at times. While the day was a bit warm and hazy, it was still clear enough to see miles into the distance and appreciate the true enormity of the wall.
The 4,000 mile-long construction project lasted centuries and claimed an estimated 2 to 3 MILLION lives during it’s making. At it’s peak during the Ming Dynasty it was guarded by over one million men. Walking along the parapets it seemed it would be a lonely task, guarding that wall, which looks into a beautiful but largely uninhabited valley. We visited the wall right at the time of year the fruit trees blossom, so all around the valley were beautiful wild apricot trees blanketed in bright white flowers.
A Great Wall.
They’d need a lot fewer dudes to gaurd it if they had some earth-benders. Also, you didn’t explain this zip-lining picture. It looks amazing!
Ahh yes, the ziplining! At the end of the hike instead of hiking the last 20 minutes you could take a zipline across the river! It looked a little old and rusty and mildly intimidating, but the actual experience was significantly less thrilling. In fact, it was a little slow as far as ziplines go… But still worth the $5 we paid! Best zipline deal ever.
Psht. “Great”. I could build a wall.
nice! how long does it take to get out there (or other hiking) from the city?
This hike was about a 2 hour drive away from the city. I’d say there is pretty excellent hiking anywhere from 1 1/2 to 5 hours outside Beijing. If you haven’t checked them out, go to the beijinghikers.com website — you can get a bit better idea of some of the places they take you. Most of their hikes are under a 2.5 hour drive.
dear stepho and crank. I’d like to be you. and be on something so great. let the adventures continue!