Hike! Section hiking in Hebei province from Shanhaiguan

[Kim]

Originally Posted by China Darren

Thanks for the info. The book I have (Great Wall of China by Thammy Evans) talks about Jiumenkou being 18 kms from Shanhaiguan. Given your knowledge, how far (reasonably) can I expect to get from Laolongtau in one day? My concerns are the obvious - tiredness, accommodation & food. The book mentions that from Sandaoguan the Wall branches off to Panjiakou. Is it possible to walk there and any idea of distance?

Welcome to the forum.

Going from Shanhaiguan to Jiumenkou may not be that long when looking at the map, but if you want to follow the wall in this area you need to cross some very difficult terrain. Some places there are no wall and only natural defence (steep cliffs), so I don't think it will be possible to do this hike in one day.

It should be possible to walk from Laolongtou to Sandaoguan in about one day, but some of it is difficult terrain so it would be dangerous to push too fast. Furthermore Sandaoguan is one of the most beautiful (and dangerous) places in Eastern Hebei so you should take your time here to enjoy it.

You can see some pictures here: Sandaoguan information

Sandaoguan is a tourist spot outside Shanhaiguan because of the rock formations, so I think it should be possible to find a but going back the Shanhaiguan.

The remarks by Thammy Evans about Sandaoguan is totally misleading and in general it is not a very good book. There is no branches here and the wall continues to Jiumenkou and much further north before is branches west towards Panjiakou and east into Liaoning province. I guess it is at least a two weeks hike and probably more from Laolongtou to Panjiakou.

Will anyone else be in China during this time who fancies meeting up?

I live in the Tangshan area, only about an hour drive from Shanhaiguan, so if the schedule is okay I might be interested

[China Darren]

Originally Posted by Kim

Welcome to the forum.

Going from Shanhaiguan to Jiumenkou may not be that long when looking at the map, but if you want to follow the wall in this area you need to cross some very difficult terrain. Some places there are no wall and only natural defence (steep cliffs), so I don't think it will be possible to do this hike in one day.

It should be possible to walk from Laolongtou to Sandaoguan in about one day, but some of it is difficult terrain so it would be dangerous to push too fast. Furthermore Sandaoguan is one of the most beautiful (and dangerous) places in Eastern Hebei so you should take your time here to enjoy it.

You can see some pictures here: Sandaoguan information

Sandaoguan is a tourist spot outside Shanhaiguan because of the rock formations, so I think it should be possible to find a but going back the Shanhaiguan.

The remarks by Thammy Evans about Sandaoguan is totally misleading and in general it is not a very good book. There is no branches here and the wall continues to Jiumenkou and much further north before is branches west towards Panjiakou and east into Liaoning province. I guess it is at least a two weeks hike and probably more from Laolongtou to Panjiakou.

I live in the Tangshan area, only about an hour drive from Shanhaiguan, so if the schedule is okay I might be interested

Hi Kim. Thanks for the information. It's amazing how misleading a picture you can get from reading a book. It gave the impression of a continuous Wall (in what ever state) for the route I wanted. Luckily there are forums like this one that is full of information being constantly updated.

My schedule is quite fluid. The only restriction really is time. I can spend up to 7 days on the Wall because of meeting friends in Beijing. Maybe stretch to 8 days. I can easily meet you in Tangshan if that is easier. What ever you suggest. My only desire is to walk on and experience the Wall away from where tourist buses take you.

[Kim]

Originally Posted by China Darren

Hi Kim. Thanks for the information. It's amazing how misleading a picture you can get from reading a book. It gave the impression of a continuous Wall (in what ever state) for the route I wanted. Luckily there are forums like this one that is full of information being constantly updated.

My schedule is quite fluid. The only restriction really is time. I can spend up to 7 days on the Wall because of meeting friends in Beijing. Maybe stretch to 8 days. I can easily meet you in Tangshan if that is easier. What ever you suggest. My only desire is to walk on and experience the Wall away from where tourist buses take you.

I need to save my vacation to the planed trips with Bryan later in 2010, so I only have about one weekend and maybe three days. As soon as you get away from Laolongtou/Shanhaiguan/Jiaoshan you will probably not see many tourists.

[China Darren]

Originally Posted by Kim

I need to save my vacation to the planed trips with Bryan later in 2010, so I only have about one weekend and maybe three days. As soon as you get away from Laolongtou/Shanhaiguan/Jiaoshan you will probably not see many tourists.

Hi Kim. I've notice that proposed trip. Looks good and very enticing. I will be coming over in May 2010 but date of arrival can be fitted around your availability. You are after all doing me the favour for which I am grateful. I've done quite a bit of on-line and book research so know where I would like to go but given what you guys tell me some of the info is dodgy at best. Given your availability I would like to concentrate on the section of the Wall near where you live if that is okay. I might (propably will !) use that time to gain info on other areas where I might be able to venture alone without the real probability of getting myself killed! Once again thanks.

[Kim]

Originally Posted by China Darren

Hi Kim. I've notice that proposed trip. Looks good and very enticing. I will be coming over in May 2010 but date of arrival can be fitted around your availability. You are after all doing me the favour for which I am grateful. I've done quite a bit of on-line and book research so know where I would like to go but given what you guys tell me some of the info is dodgy at best. Given your availability I would like to concentrate on the section of the Wall near where you live if that is okay. I might (propably will !) use that time to gain info on other areas where I might be able to venture alone without the real probability of getting myself killed! Once again thanks.

There are a lot of nice places around where I live

The most difficult places (and dangerous) is the eastern part of Qinhuangdao. The wall in Tangshan is less dangerous but still offers magnificent scenery and some very interesting places.

No matter what I need to go to Jiaoshan later this year to investigate a bit to prepare for the Eastern Hebei trek.

[China Darren]

Originally Posted by Kim

There are a lot of nice places around where I live

The most difficult places (and dangerous) is the eastern part of Qinhuangdao. The wall in Tangshan is less dangerous but still offers magnificent scenery and some very interesting places.

No matter what I need to go to Jiaoshan later this year to investigate a bit to prepare for the Eastern Hebei trek.

Cheers Kim. I''m all for "less dangerous" ! Given that you will be walking from Laolongtao to .... ? in September 2010, would you be willing to do Laolongtao - Jiashan/Sandaoguan (time permitting) with me? I will then, based upon info gleemed from you and others on this forum, perhaps push onto Jiumenkou. Obviously May 2010 is still a long way off so no need to confirm dates unless you want/need to as I can book flights to suit.

[chinoook]

Originally Posted by China Darren

Cheers Kim. I''m all for "less dangerous" ! Given that you will be walking from Laolongtao to .... ? in September 2010, would you be willing to do Laolongtao - Jiashan/Sandaoguan (time permitting) with me? I will then, based upon info gleemed from you and others on this forum, perhaps push onto Jiumenkou. Obviously May 2010 is still a long way off so no need to confirm dates unless you want/need to as I can book flights to suit.

Laolongtou - Jiaoshan is a comfortable afternoon hike. No problem at all to do the walk alone. Jiaoshan - Sandaoguan is difficult/dangerous.


-chinoook

[Bryan]

Originally Posted by chinoook

Laolongtou - Jiaoshan is a comfortable afternoon hike. No problem at all to do the walk alone. Jiaoshan - Sandaoguan is difficult/dangerous.

Exactly. And Sandaoguan to Jiumenkou is likely to be equally difficult/dangerous.

It's noteworthy that William Lindesay got lost and gave up here on his first attempt to hike from Shanhaiguan to Jiayuguan. Of course, he didn't have a GPS receiver.

[Kim]

Originally Posted by China Darren

Cheers Kim. I''m all for "less dangerous" ! Given that you will be walking from Laolongtao to .... ? in September 2010, would you be willing to do Laolongtao - Jiashan/Sandaoguan (time permitting) with me? I will then, based upon info gleemed from you and others on this forum, perhaps push onto Jiumenkou. Obviously May 2010 is still a long way off so no need to confirm dates unless you want/need to as I can book flights to suit.

No problem, but be aware that this section is not very safe. However it's much safer than what you will find further north and northeast in Qinhuangdao. It will not be possible to hike all the way to Jiumenkou since there is not wall all the way so a detour is necessary, but I think it should be possible to get there in two days.

Sandaoguan-Jiumenkou is probably the most difficult part of the Laolongtou-Jiumenkou section and requires some GW experience in this terrain.

Depending on my workload I might have to go home to Denmark for some time next year, so I would prefer not to make any final schedule yet.

I will begin to plan for some reconnaissance in the area

[China Darren]

Originally Posted by Kim

No problem, but be aware that this section is not very safe. However it's much safer than what you will find further north and northeast in Qinhuangdao. It will not be possible to hike all the way to Jiumenkou since there is not wall all the way so a detour is necessary, but I think it should be possible to get there in two days.

Sandaoguan-Jiumenkou is probably the most difficult part of the Laolongtou-Jiumenkou section and requires some GW experience in this terrain.

Depending on my workload I might have to go home to Denmark for some time next year, so I would prefer not to make any final schedule yet.

I will begin to plan for some reconnaissance in the area

Hi Kim. No worries. I'll look out for flights around May 2010 and contact you nearer the time. Thanks for all your advice thus far.