I undertook a hike along the Great Wall about two days ago. Now, there are several places where you can go and visit the Wall (it's a big wall, you know). The section around Badaling is probably the most famous, it was the first section to be opened to tourists and also the section where Nixon said in 1972 that "this is a great wall", it is also the most touristy section of the wall. And touristy was not something that I was looking for, and in China touristy means several thousands of people on a small, small section of the wall - no, not really my thing.
The Jinshanling - Simatai hike seemed to be a better alternative. Both places are already less frequently visited - they're about a 3 to 4 hours drive North of Beijing - and even less people actually go hiking between the two sections. The hike is really nice experience. There are moments were you're almost by yourself on the wall, well and of course the people you undertook the hike with. The landscape is stunning, with amazing views both to the North and the South. It also has the added benefit of some towers and defensive structures that are not present in other section (well, at least, not present in the sections open to the public).
Walking along the wall is quite an experience, it's simply breath-taking to see wall roll over the hills and mountains like a giant snake. I was also surprised by the steep ascents and descents on parts of the wall. For some reason, I was thinking "well, a wall, so it must be straight, some height and everything", but nooo. There were quite some though climbs along the way (what is it with ancient civilizations and steps, btw?) and some really interesting descents, as parts of the wall have beem quite eroded. In any case, well recommended!
I undertook a hike along the Great Wall about two days ago. Now, there are several places where you can go and visit the Wall (it's a big wall, you know). The section around Badaling is probably the most famous, it was the first section to be opened to tourists and also the section where Nixon said in 1972 that "this is a great wall", it is also the most touristy section of the wall. And touristy was not something that I was looking for, and in China touristy means several thousands of people on a small, small section of the wall - no, not really my thing. 
The Jinshanling - Simatai hike seemed to be a better alternative. Both places are already less frequently visited - they're about a 3 to 4 hours drive North of Beijing - and even less people actually go hiking between the two sections. The hike is really nice experience. There are moments were you're almost by yourself on the wall, well and of course the people you undertook the hike with. The landscape is stunning, with amazing views both to the North and the South. It also has the added benefit of some towers and defensive structures that are not present in other section (well, at least, not present in the sections open to the public). 
Walking along the wall is quite an experience, it's simply breath-taking to see wall roll over the hills and mountains like a giant snake. I was also surprised by the steep ascents and descents on parts of the wall. For some reason, I was thinking "well, a wall, so it must be straight, some height and everything", but nooo. There were quite some though climbs along the way (what is it with ancient civilizations and steps, btw?) and some really interesting descents, as parts of the wall have beem quite eroded. In any case, well recommended!
