Andrew Aigner-MuehlerChapter 22...Simatai part of the Great Wall
June 24th 2009 12:15
Another weekend, another road trip, and this time it is back to Beijing, again. This weekend had a purpose. The purpose was to visit the Great Wall in its original condition. Again I travelled to Beijing with a friend who also wanted to visit the same section.
We arrived at the Dongzhimen Long Distance bus station around 8:00am to catch bus number 980 to Simatai part of the wall.
The bus that takes you half way for 15rmb drops you off half way at a bus stop that has no connecting bus to the wall. You need to barter a taxi the other 65 kilometres. There are half a dozen taxi drivers waiting for the many tourists that get of this bus. The taxi’s do start at 240rmb, but do not settle for that price, especially when around Dongzhimen bus station you can jump into a taxi for 150rmb for a return trip.
This day, we were lucky, my friend and I met up with 6 other foreigners who were going to the same part of the wall, which half of the group speaking really good Chinese. After an hour and a half and walking half way down the street we managed to get a taxi to take the eight of us to Simatai for 80 rmb. At the time we thought we were being ripped off, but after the taxi trip, we now know we got an absolute bargain, we should have really paid 150 rmb or something like it.
Once at the Great Wall it will cost 40 rmb to get in, just to walk up to the Great Wall. I suggest you pay an extra 30 rmb and take the chair lift up, for a good view, and save your energy, and then walk back down.
Once you get of the chair lift, a good pair of walking or hiking boots would come in handy, at places it is quite rough and steep. You will also pass many hawkers trying to sell you hand fans and t-shirts. Shortly after, you will be on top of the Great Wall. You will take in the fantastic views of the Wall winding it self throughout the hills, every time you take a foot step.
I suggest walking to the right first and then walk to the left as the exit down is on the far left near tower two. You will reach the Wall at tower 6. To the right you can only walk so far as you will come to an end and if you go any further, you are at risk at paying a 200 rmb fine for entering a prohibited area. It is very tempting to jump this fence and go further as the Wall climbs a steep peak, that looks safe to walk, but you are being watched by many security guards who are quick to jump up once you break the rules.
The walk down is even better, walking alongside the lake. If you like, you can take the flying fox down.
Once at the bottom, you will have the same trouble as getting to the Simatai part of the wall and that is getting a taxi back. Going back we were able to barter a taxi down to 160 rmb which took us back to the terminus to catch the 980 bus back to Dongzhimen.
You will need a full day a Simatai, including the time getting there and back. You will spend 3 to 4 hours travelling to and from the wall, and around the same time there.
Beware! Food and drink are quite pricey at the wall; expect to pay three times the amount unless you buy before you go.
I would have to say it is way better than the wall at Shanhaiguan that I have already seen, but again you need to see where the wall starts or meets the sea.
We arrived at the Dongzhimen Long Distance bus station around 8:00am to catch bus number 980 to Simatai part of the wall.
The bus that takes you half way for 15rmb drops you off half way at a bus stop that has no connecting bus to the wall. You need to barter a taxi the other 65 kilometres. There are half a dozen taxi drivers waiting for the many tourists that get of this bus. The taxi’s do start at 240rmb, but do not settle for that price, especially when around Dongzhimen bus station you can jump into a taxi for 150rmb for a return trip.
Simatai part of the Great Wall
This day, we were lucky, my friend and I met up with 6 other foreigners who were going to the same part of the wall, which half of the group speaking really good Chinese. After an hour and a half and walking half way down the street we managed to get a taxi to take the eight of us to Simatai for 80 rmb. At the time we thought we were being ripped off, but after the taxi trip, we now know we got an absolute bargain, we should have really paid 150 rmb or something like it.
The chair lift up.
Once at the Great Wall it will cost 40 rmb to get in, just to walk up to the Great Wall. I suggest you pay an extra 30 rmb and take the chair lift up, for a good view, and save your energy, and then walk back down.
Once you get of the chair lift, a good pair of walking or hiking boots would come in handy, at places it is quite rough and steep. You will also pass many hawkers trying to sell you hand fans and t-shirts. Shortly after, you will be on top of the Great Wall. You will take in the fantastic views of the Wall winding it self throughout the hills, every time you take a foot step.
Simatai part of the Great Wall
I suggest walking to the right first and then walk to the left as the exit down is on the far left near tower two. You will reach the Wall at tower 6. To the right you can only walk so far as you will come to an end and if you go any further, you are at risk at paying a 200 rmb fine for entering a prohibited area. It is very tempting to jump this fence and go further as the Wall climbs a steep peak, that looks safe to walk, but you are being watched by many security guards who are quick to jump up once you break the rules.
The walk down is even better, walking alongside the lake. If you like, you can take the flying fox down.
The walk down from the Wall.
Once at the bottom, you will have the same trouble as getting to the Simatai part of the wall and that is getting a taxi back. Going back we were able to barter a taxi down to 160 rmb which took us back to the terminus to catch the 980 bus back to Dongzhimen.
You will need a full day a Simatai, including the time getting there and back. You will spend 3 to 4 hours travelling to and from the wall, and around the same time there.
Beware! Food and drink are quite pricey at the wall; expect to pay three times the amount unless you buy before you go.
I would have to say it is way better than the wall at Shanhaiguan that I have already seen, but again you need to see where the wall starts or meets the sea.
Simatai part of the Great Wall
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