Another Great Wall Adventure

For an authentic great wall adventure, I recommend the Jin Shan Ling - Si Ma Tai Route. Our young and energetic readers would find that 8 hours is sufficient time to climb from one end to the other. Please do request for your driver to drop you off at the Jin Shan Ling end, and wait for you at the Si Ma Tai end.

Unfortunately, us, less abled bodies found it difficult to continue on after the 1/2 mark. With older folks on board, we only managed to climb Jin Shan Ling.

In old Mr Zhang's van

Entrance of Jin Shan Ling

Our Start and End Point

It was end winter, barely spring, and the land had barely recovered from the really harsh winter. All round us was a piece of brown barren wasteland.

The Filial Son

It was a treacherous road down, and any kind of help would be greatly appreciated.

Dua Yi and her help

The only thing we didn't enjoy was the constant presence of the locals stalking us. They sure know how to worm their way into your little conscience. They are farmers from the near by villages, looking for a substitute income while they wait out the cold harsh winter. With their big bag of great wall souvenirs, they always target the weak and the old. Basically, those that would be left behind. So even if you don't buy anything from them after 2 hours, the help they offered you during the treacherous climb should be enough to earn them a decent tip.

So young abled body, do make a mental note to shake them off right from the start of your climb!

We did good!

[Photo Credits: Fabz, Fiona and Kelly]