Jiankou-Mutianyu or Jinshanling-Simatai

[cooperhs]

I'm headed to China for the first time this summer, and would like to see some serious great wall. I understand both of these are in the 4-5 hour range (with the former being a longer hike but shorter drive). Is one of them easier or harder than the other. Can either be reasonably done without a guide? I read somewhere that it's actually possible to get lost on the Jinshanling to Simatai walk where you have to get off the wall.

There's a possibility that I would do this as a day trip from the airport during a 22 hour connection. It looks like either of them are more convenient from the airport than from downtown, as long as I've booked a driver for the day. Is this correct?

This is my first time on the forum, and it looks great. Thanks for any help you can provide?

[Bryan]

Hi cooperhs, and welcome to the Great Wall Forum.

Jinshanling to Simatai: Many people do this hike every day. There are no detours off of the Wall. The detour off of the wall, around the military area, is between Gubeikou and Jinshanling. The entire route is officially "open". No guide is needed. Locals will follow you offering to carry your bag and sell you souvenirs and drinks.

Jiankou to Mutianyu: You could do this entire hike and see nobody else until you arrive at Mutianyu. It is more difficult and not officially open. Could be done without a guide if you have a GPS; otherwise, you might need a guide to show you how to get to Zhengbeilou tower or at least to show you to the path. From Zhengbeilou, there is no way you would get lost, but the Wall is more steep and crumbly and overgrown in comparison.

Since it will be your first Great Wall trip, and it sounds like you will be alone, I advise the Jinshanling-Simatai route. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed in this choice.

If you have plenty of time available, you may want to go in the opposite direction, from Simatai to Jinshanling. That way, if you want more, you can continue westward from Jinshanling to Gubeikou (probably the next day). To do so, and get around the military area without getting lost, a guide or a GPS would be a good idea. You can easily find a guide at Jinshanling.

Both are definitely closer to and more accessible from the airport than downtown.

[sophie]

What about some body like me? I have hiked from Jinshanling to Simatai. I dream of going back to China and seeing more of the great wall. Would you think it's a good idea for me to hike from Jiankou to Mutianyu? What's it like?

[Bryan]

Hi sophie,

It's hard for me to give you a definitive "yes" or "no" and this will be up to your judgement.

The trek from Jiankou to Mutianyu is a lot different than Jinshanling to Simatai. It's much more wild and isolated. The terrain is not much more difficult, but it is slightly more difficult with a little bit of climbing needed. The starting point at Zhengbeilou is quite a bit harder to reach, as you must first make a long drive to Xizhazi and then a long hike up to Zhengbeilou.

The biggest concern is that if you do get hurt, help may be harder to reach. You would definitely want to do this hike with some other people, and all of you should have some climbing experience.

Since you handled your Jinshanling - Simatai trek very well, you probably are capable of doing this one. But there is always risk involved and only you can assess your willingness to accept and deal with it.

In between Jiankou and Mutianyu is the Ox Horn Edge Great Wall, Niujiaobian. See these photos or this video to get an idea of what it's like.

You might also consider hiking from Gubeikou to Jinshanling instead...

[sophie]

Thank you Bryan!

It looks very inviting and I will be thinking about who can go with me if I go. I'm going to try to talk my father into it!