Jinshanling to Simatai vs Jinshanling to Panlongshan vs Jiankou to Mutianyu

[qwibbled]

Ok I know these questions have been asked a lot but it's difficult to find opinions from people who've actually been to all three This will probably be my one and only chance to walk on the great wall (end of August) so I want the best experience possible. I know Jinshanling to Simatai is a well travelled path, especially popular with backpackers, hasn't been restored or rebuilt right? But every review I read talks of annoying touts following you that are impossible to get rid of and frankly I think that would ruin the experience for me, and it seems like the route is getting more crowded. I've also read about going from Jinshanling to Panlongshan (Gubeikou) but don't know how it compares? And then finally the other popular daytrip route seems to be Jiankou (Zhengbeilou) to Mutianyu which looks like it covers the gamut from completely overgrown and falling apart to completely rebuilt for mass tourism. If I understood correctly the most impressive part of the wall is between Jiankou and Zhengbeilou but it's not reccomended to hike this part because it's steep/dangerous and the best photos of this section are generally taken from Zhengbeilou? Did I get that right?

We are young experienced hikers looking for the best overall experience, the quality of the hike, the views, experiencing the grandeur of the wall, and obviously the less people the better. So, to those of you who've seen all three of these sections of the wall mentionned above, what do you reccomend to the person who only has one full day? And what would you reccomend if one has two days? We just want the most memorable day possible. Thanks!

[Bryan]

I think all of your impressions are reasonably accurate except, Jinshanling to Simatai has been rebuilt, not completely, but in areas that were more damaged. And the touts aren't as bad as some people say; they're humans and they can be very friendly, and they will not harass you severely.

You just need to rank these hikes by risk level, with the risk increasing in the order that you named them. Along with risk comes remoteness. There will be fewer people in each place as the risk increases.

If you have some climbing experience or are willing to take the more risky path, it's hard to beat the Zhengbeilou to Mutianyu hike.

[Kim]

I've only done the Jinshanling to Simatai hike but to honest I find this hike highly overrated compared to how much interest it attract on this forum and other places.

You will have a much better experience as an experienced hiker if you go to one of the more remote areas.

I did not felt the touts annoying at all. The all seem very friendly and just try to make a living. Treat them with respect and make sure to say no if they try to sell you something. They more or less left us alone and seemed to be waiting for the tourist buses.

[qwibbled]

Originally Posted by Kim

I've only done the Jinshanling to Simatai hike but to honest I find this hike highly overrated compared to how much interest it attract on this forum and other places.

You will have a much better experience as an experienced hiker if you go to one of the more remote areas.

I did not felt the touts annoying at all. The all seem very friendly and just try to make a living. Treat them with respect and make sure to say no if they try to sell you something. They more or less left us alone and seemed to be waiting for the tourist buses.

Curious, why did you find it overrated?

[qwibbled]

Originally Posted by Bryan

I think all of your impressions are reasonably accurate except, Jinshanling to Simatai has been rebuilt, not completely, but in areas that were more damaged. And the touts aren't as bad as some people say; they're humans and they can be very friendly, and they will not harass you severely.

You just need to rank these hikes by risk level, with the risk increasing in the order that you named them. Along with risk comes remoteness. There will be fewer people in each place as the risk increases.

If you have some climbing experience or are willing to take the more risky path, it's hard to beat the Zhengbeilou to Mutianyu hike.

Yes we have some climbing experience, I'm not too worried about the risk on this hike given the reviews I've read. The section between Jiankou and Zhengbeilou on the other hand.... Is the best view from Zhengbeilou looking west towards Jiankou? How does Jinshanling to Panlongshan rate? Anywhere else worth considering for a day trip? Thanks!

[Kim]

Originally Posted by qwibbled

Curious, why did you find it overrated?

Of cause that depends on previous experience. For at first time visit to the Great Wall this is a perfect location and I guess it's a most see for every GW fans.

If you are used to visit wild GW without tourists and with challenging sections you might be disappointed.

Don't get me wrong - Jinshanling to Simatai would be my first suggestion to any first time visitors to the GW, but since you are experienced hikers there are more interesting and challenging sections.

[qwibbled]

Originally Posted by Kim

Of cause that depends on previous experience. For at first time visit to the Great Wall this is a perfect location and I guess it's a most see for every GW fans.

If you are used to visit wild GW without tourists and with challenging sections you might be disappointed.

Don't get me wrong - Jinshanling to Simatai would be my first suggestion to any first time visitors to the GW, but since you are experienced hikers there are more interesting and challenging sections.

Yes we're experienced hikers but this is our first visit to the GW and likely our only visit for a very very long time.

[LimaPer]

Add some comments in this old thread but since you havent been here yet it might be interesting.

Havent hiked Gubeikou to Jinshangling but the thing is that you need to detour the wall and walk around a military area so might be a bit complicated if you dont have a gps or a good sense of location. I have visited the other parts and as mentioned above you will have a great trip whereever you go. the salespersons isnt so tireding at Jinshanglin to Simatai so that isnt a problem and the views is great.

If you go to Jiankou i would advice you to go straight up from Xizhazi 2 to Zhengbeilou (the view is amazing). Then you wont have any risky parts more than the oxe horn that can be a bit slippery but its definetly not a problem. If you go to the Jiankou pass and then hike to Zhengbeilou to Mutianyu you have to do really scary climbing. The worst parts you will pass on that part you can see on the pictures i have posted in the end of this thread.

I can say that i never want to do the wooden ladder again, if they had build it all the way up it would be ok to climb. If you go straight up to Zhengbeilou you can walk down to the ladder (about 250 m) and have a look, take pictures and then start to hike to Mutianyu.

You will definetly have a day to remember where ever you choose to go expecially since its the first trip.

[qwibbled]

Originally Posted by LimaPer

Add some comments in this old thread but since you havent been here yet it might be interesting.

Havent hiked Gubeikou to Jinshangling but the thing is that you need to detour the wall and walk around a military area so might be a bit complicated if you dont have a gps or a good sense of location. I have visited the other parts and as mentioned above you will have a great trip whereever you go. the salespersons isnt so tireding at Jinshanglin to Simatai so that isnt a problem and the views is great.

If you go to Jiankou i would advice you to go straight up from Xizhazi 2 to Zhengbeilou (the view is amazing). Then you wont have any risky parts more than the oxe horn that can be a bit slippery but its definetly not a problem. If you go to the Jiankou pass and then hike to Zhengbeilou to Mutianyu you have to do really scary climbing. The worst parts you will pass on that part you can see on the pictures i have posted in the end of this thread.

I can say that i never want to do the wooden ladder again, if they had build it all the way up it would be ok to climb. If you go straight up to Zhengbeilou you can walk down to the ladder (about 250 m) and have a look, take pictures and then start to hike to Mutianyu.

You will definetly have a day to remember where ever you choose to go expecially since its the first trip.

Thanks for the info! We won't be attempting the Jiankou>Zhengbeilou section. We have one to visit the great wall, we don't need it to be stressful or risk injury. We'll go straight to Zhenbeilou but I'll definitely walk down to the ladder and have a look like you suggested