7 Responses

1. Joe

   July 29th, 2007 at 12:24 pm

   1

   If you are in shape and up for a little challenge. Try to get to 黄花城。 It is a great way to avoid the tourists hanging out at Badaling. It is hard to get to, and it requires you to be in good physical condition, and you may have to bribe a local or two to get past some home-made gate, but for me, it was worth the trouble. I was the only person on the Wall when I went. I would have stayed longer if I had a partner with me. some of the sections are difficult and it would be nice to have a buddy along just for safety. The 2000 edition of Lonely Planet China has a section explaining how to get there. I had a driver get me close because I was not good enough with the buses. If you are curious I can try to answer any questions you may have. Joe

   http://www.chinapage.com/friend/goh/beijing/greatwall/greatwall.html

2. admin

   July 29th, 2007 at 3:33 pm

   2

   Hi Joe. Thanks for the info. That page you provided has a ton of great Great Wall info.

   Much appreciated. :em20:
   Good to have some new options!

3. The Humanaught

   July 30th, 2007 at 7:31 am

   3

   I second the 黄花城 suggestion - though Dez had some trouble there in the not so distant past. As for getting there, I went with a mini-bus from my hostel (Leo Hostel), so you could probably tag along with them.

   Good luck on the bus man. I don’t do buses anymore.

4. Liang Wen

   July 30th, 2007 at 11:27 pm

   4

   Hey, my hometown is Dalian. I just happened to find your blog, it is very interesting to read. I am currently study my second degree in Canada, and will go back home for a visit in September. If you will be in Dalian at that time, I would like to buy you beer~~~

5. Rayco

   July 31st, 2007 at 2:53 pm

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   Hey Rick,

   How are you? I used to be at Dongcai the same time you were there and at Future too.

   Try one of our Great Wall tours at http://www.cyclechina.com . We take people to non-touristy areas of the wall, mostly un-restored. They’re pretty amazing, with bushes and trees growing on the wall!

   Rayco.

6. admin

   July 31st, 2007 at 6:48 pm

   6

   Hey guys. In Beijing right now. Just a quick note from the hotel, and then I’m out the door.

   We went to Badaling today having arrived by overnight bus this morning. After getting back we hit the Lama temple, and then a nice little Japanese restaurant which was not quite as overpriced as our hotel. :em13:

   @Rayco, thanks for the info. If I’d checked these comments earlier today, I might have used that one. Sounds awesome.

   @Liang Wen, I’m up for a beer anytime. :em02:

7. beijing tours

   July 16th, 2008 at 1:23 pm

   7

   funny how you knew all about this.thanks for share~