Accessing closed sections of Simatai

[Bryan]

After years of wanting to get there, when I finally reached Wangjinglou, all I could think about was getting back down!

[lsanderson]

After reading this I am very interested to go there. I want to know if I can find a tour guide to take me to the top.

[Bryan]

Originally Posted by lsanderson

After reading this I am very interested to go there. I want to know if I can find a tour guide to take me to the top.

You could probably do that. I would go to Simatai and ask around there. Ask some local drivers, or some of the vendors that follow you around (they are local and they may have family members that can help you). I would mention that you want to go there via Ba Ge Village (Bagezhuang) because that's the safest way to get there. Then you can decide if you want to go further or turn around and come back.

[FreddyMusic]

Climbing Simatai is interesting and risk, but not most dangerous mountain.

Here is a secure solution. If we have small team, let's say 5 person.
Everybody is well equiped and has secure rope connect on waist and make a line.
In case, one falls, rest four are stable and power enough to pull him back.

[david Hodges]

hi we went Simatai in 2008
we took the cable car up and turn to right and head to 14 tower but on arriving at tower 12 we were meet with a guard with ak47 and we told in broken English you can go no more.

On come down we ask what is going on were told that some had died trying to cross to other towers.

so we are going back in jan 2010 to try again

[Bryan]

Originally Posted by david Hodges

hi we went Simatai in 2008
we took the cable car up and turn to right and head to 14 tower but on arriving at tower 12 we were meet with a guard with ak47 and we told in broken English you can go no more.

On come down we ask what is going on were told that some had died trying to cross to other towers.

so we are going back in jan 2010 to try again

Several people have died on the Sky Bridge and at least one on the Heavenly Ladder. Don't underestimate the danger! Please be careful.

Also, it will probably be very cold and windy in January. Be prepared.

Good luck on your return trip. Let us know how it goes for you!

[boilface]

AK47? Are you serious; what are they going to do, shoot tourists off the wall?

Is it still possible to bribe the guards to get access to the closed sections?

[david Hodges]

well when i was there they send NO
and flash the gun at me this was in 2008

[PWCCA]

I really wanna see these two towers at the end... but I wanna find the safest option to do so, lol. Both towers look as though you are unable to get inside them from a lower level (doorways so high). Is it easy to climb up inside?

[Bryan]

Originally Posted by PWCCA

I really wanna see these two towers at the end... but I wanna find the safest option to do so, lol. Both towers look as though you are unable to get inside them from a lower level (doorways so high). Is it easy to climb up inside?

You can get into Xiannulou from the west side. You can't get into Wangjinglou.

The least dangerous (I wouldn't call it "safest") access is to climb from Bagezhuang to Wangjinglou and then take the foot path just north of the Sky Bridge to Xiannulou. Then you can return the way you came, thus avoiding the notorious Sky Bridge and Heavenly Ladder entirely.