Alternative path from Xizhazi to Great Wall

[Lhury]

andarchen: Wow, thanks for the bus schedule from Jiuyanlou to Xizazhi! Is there any connecting bus from the center of Beijing to Jiuyanlou? I imagine we would have to start about 4:30 AM from our hostel, so we can catch the bus from Jiuyanlou at 6:00 AM...



greatwallforum: yeah, some trails are visible from google earth, and some not... And I'm worried about the Jiuyanlou to Xizazhi... Can you please draw the line where is the correct trail? (assuming you've been there, or you just have better eyes for spotting the satellite country trails

[andarchen]

Originally Posted by Lhury

andarchen: Wow, thanks for the bus schedule from Jiuyanlou to Xizazhi! Is there any connecting bus from the center of Beijing to Jiuyanlou? I imagine we would have to start about 4:30 AM from our hostel, so we can catch the bus from Jiuyanlou at 6:00 AM...

It is difficult to find bus schedule as you ashed due to i am living in Taiwan .Have a good trip any way .

[Bryan]

Originally Posted by Lhury

And I'm worried about the Jiuyanlou to Xizazhi... Can you please draw the line where is the correct trail? (assuming you've been there, or you just have better eyes for spotting the satellite country trails

The Detailed map of the Beijing area Great Wall of China version 3 contains this trail as well as the trail to Zhengbeilou.

[chrisd44@mac.com]

I walked yesterday from Mutianyu to Xizhazi. I missed the turnoff at Zhengbeilou and proceeded through the rather dangerous sections. It was rather unfortunate and I advise against it. While I should have turned back at the first moment I became concerned, I didn't. To be honest, I feel fortunate to be able to be posting this now. I have done a fair amount of climbing and activities involving heights, but this really made me nervous. The photos that I have seen online didn't give me a true feeling for the issue. It is really, really hairy. Bryan said it best that the area west of Zhengbeilou should be circumvented unless you are both an experienced climber and have a high tolerance for risk ( I might add a safety rope to the checklist). In addition to some totally vertical climbs, many of your hand and footholds look like they are teetering on collapse because in fact they are. Clinging to the face of one of these inclines watching my former handhold bounce then fall then bounce then fall then bounce then fall (you get the idea) I decided I should post my experience so no one else would underestimate it. If youre heading from mutianyu towards xizhazi (heading west) and hit a spot with a ladder hanging by threads, the time has come to climb back up the huge incline that got you there, return to Zhengbeilou (which I remember as being the last significant tower before the ladder). The trail from there to Xizhazi is well worn and easy to follow (especially in the snow). Today I returned to Muitianyu from Xizhazi via that trail staying well clear of the scarier portions. The walk was still challenging and breathtaking.

[chinoook]

Thank you very much for your clear words.
Another aspect is that not to climb there will keep damage from the Wall remnants there.

We would be happy to read more about your GW experiences.


-chinoook