Jinshanling – The Great Wall Of China
Posted on 08. Sep, 2010 by Poi in Blog, China, Picture Specials
The great wall is amazing simple as that, but for the sake of a decent post I’ll go into some more detail.
Planning our trip to the great wall was driving us bonkers, there is so much advice on the interwebz that contradicts each other it’s enough to drive anyone mad. We knew we wanted to avoid Badaling and hundreds of coaches full of tourists and didn’t particulary want to go on an organised tour. So we decided to walk from the Jinshanling section across to Simati, guess what Simati is closed for rebuilding, apparently its going to have lots of hotels and even a golf course around it, just what you want to see when you visit the great wall isn’t it.
After looking at a few other locations including Gubeikou and Mutianyu we heard that people were still hiking from Jinshanling to Simati, while some people were let through and out others were being turned away. We didn’t want to risk it and so decided to visit the Jinshaling section and just walk as much as we fancied at the time and turn round to play it safe.
The next problem was sorting out our transport to the wall, we wanted to do it on the cheap, of course, so we decided to catch a bus from Dongzhimen long distance bus station to Miyun and then get a taxi from there. We read a few posts about the great wall and how finding the buses was difficult but we arrived at the station, straight away found a large map at the enrance that showed us exactly where the 980 bus stop was. There was already a bus sitting there so we jumped on paid our 15 yuan each and off we went, simple. We then got a taxi the rest of the way to the wall and our driver waited for us, so we went off to explore agreeing to be back in four hours.
When we made it up to the main part of the great wall we were surprised to be greeted by a number of banners. For a moment we thought it was just annoying advertising but we soon realised that there was actually a marathon going on. These guys were really going for it and we couldn’t help but cheer on every one of them who went past. Luckily for us and the runners they were only using a small section of the wall, so we were soon on our own for a little while anyway……
Climbing down some of the steeper steps a Chinese lady offered to help Kirsty down (I was too busy playing man and storming off ahead) which was very nice but then she started following us back the direction she had just come from. She stayed with us for around half an hour even when we tried to lose her in the towers and make a break for it she still came chasing up behind. Eventually I told her we wanted to carry on alone and out came the souvenirs. When we refused she almost began to cry, from the point we left her she must have watched us for a good ten minutes. We should have taken a picture really but we were afraid it would cost us later on. We later saw her ‘helping’ someone else who also looked as happy as we were to have a follower.
Jinshanling Great Wall was amazing, not to many people, in fact I don’t think we saw another Chinese person the whole time other than the ‘followers’ just westerners. The views can’t be done justice in any picture, from the highest point you could see so much of the great wall and I could have sat there all day but unfortunately we told out man with the car we would be back after four hours. Both of us walked back down to the car park feeling very happy and agreed to it being the best day so far but ready for a shower, a common feeling in this heat.
We finished the day off with another Beijing must – Hot Pot. Straight across the road form our hostel is a local place we had been meaning to eat at the whole time we have been here. Beef, Lamb, Sweet Potato, Spinach and Mushrooms cooked in our own ‘hot pot’ filled us back up after the mornings walking although Kirsty wasn’t a big fan so a packet of Oreo’s was to follow…..classy.
An English couple travelling China and South East Asia since August 2010. 
Jade
08. Sep, 2010
Sounds like you had the ideal experience! We were definitely one of those sites that said it can be confusing to find the bus- so I’m happy you guys had a much better time. Wasn’t the view unlike anything you would have imagined? This was my must-do thing when visiting China.
Poi
08. Sep, 2010
The view is impossible to describe, it’s a must see for anyone! We were lucky on the day I think, everything transport wise just seemed to fall into place!
Jason Demant
08. Sep, 2010
Sounds like an awesome trip and great pictures! Out of curiosity, did you get all the way to Simatai, did you see the part that was closed?
Jason
Kirsty
08. Sep, 2010
We’re not too sure how far we got along, we walked passed the last path to go back to jinshaling by about 4/5 watch towers but then had to turn back to get back off the wall in time. The “followers” kept informing everyone that simatai was closed….
Callum
08. Sep, 2010
Have you discovered the peanut butter oreos yet?
Kirsty
08. Sep, 2010
HEY! nope, but we’re hooked to orginals atm! in the last supermarket they were selling a green filling one but weren’t daring enough to try them out!
Have you found out what that theme park is called??
Andi
08. Sep, 2010
It looks like you had the whole place to yourself, how incredible!!! The Great Wall touched me so much, that I had to go back again. Awesome pics!
Kirsty
08. Sep, 2010
We have said the same, we want to do another part maybe further west. We were on our own for the most part and never near any crowd of people – it really was all we had hoped for
Amanda
08. Sep, 2010
The Great Wall really is stunning, isn’t it? The way it just snakes along for miles and miles… wow. It looks like you guys definitely chose the right section of the Wall!
I climbed part of the Badaling section when I was in Beijing with my college marching band (we also played a concert, complete with renditions of Kelly Clarkson songs on that portion of the Wall… talk about strange!). We were there in November, however, so once we actually got onto the Wall, it was much less crowded than I had feared.
I feel like no matter which section you visit, however, the Great Wall will take your breath away. And then some little Chinese lady will come up and offer to sell you a DVD.
Kirsty
09. Sep, 2010
One thing I wouldn’t expect to hear on the great wall is Kelly Clarkson, who’s idea was that? haha.
I think that last bit of the comment sums up the wall perfectly – possible new slogan for them to think about?
Callum
08. Sep, 2010
I have indeed, it is called Chimelong Paradise. Will email you or Poi the full details, and that dodgy hotel i stayed in.
And stay away from the green oreos, they are probably the worst thing i put in my mouth in China.
Kirsty
09. Sep, 2010
Haha i’m glad we didn’t dare then!! I’ve tried some pretty minging stuff – but then have had some lovely treats to balance it out!!
Jaime D.
08. Sep, 2010
Wow y’all really got the whole place to y’alls self. That is awesome. Great pics!!! Going to the Great Wall is on my bucket list. Im not making it there on this RTW trip but I will one day~
Poi
10. Sep, 2010
As long as it’s on your list I’m sure you’ll get there one day! I have faith!
Kelly @ travelbugjuice
10. Sep, 2010
Sooo cool! I want to go it looks amazing!!
Very nice to meet you, btw. Hope you’re having a blast!
Poi
10. Sep, 2010
You should go and it is amazing!
Thanks for stopping by and nice to meet you too!
Emily
13. Sep, 2010
Great photos! I can’t wait to go there–it looks stunning. I can’t believe people were running a marathon there! What a view to have while running. That stinks that it’s a bit confusing getting to and from the wall–I’ve worried about that–but very glad it all ended up working out.
Poi
15. Sep, 2010
It’s easier getting to wall than we first thought- with just a decent bit of research. It was well worth it though although the pictures are good they don’t do it justice at all!
Emily S.
17. Sep, 2010
Wow, the Great Wall and no crowds! Looks like you had a great time!
Kirsty
18. Sep, 2010
It really was great! so glad we chose jinshanling
Jeremy
19. Sep, 2010
If I may ask, how much did you pay per person for transportation when its all said and done? I went to Huanghuacheng today with my hostel on a tour for what I estimate is comparable for the price to go to Jinshanling (including two meals, water, planned transport, and a tour guide). I’ll come back and do Jinshanling when Simitai re-opens. Of course, I have a photo essay coming in a few hours after I get back from the night market.
Poi
20. Sep, 2010
Hey Jeremy, glad you got to experience the wall and hope you’ve enjoyed Beijing.
Overall we spent about 300 yuan for the two of us including, buses, taxi and food and water we took with us.
Cheers.
Nancie
22. Nov, 2010
Wonderful post. I did the Mutianyu section of the Wall this past summer, and it was awesome. Sadly, I lost the memory card with my photos (still can’t figure out how I did that!)
I’ve enjoyed your photos immensely.
Kirsty
23. Nov, 2010
Damn what a shame you lost your photos, it is truely spectacular sight. We want to visit a different section a different time of year