China - the Great Wall

Simatai is the place to be for the true ancient Great Wall without masstourism and tourist traps (at least in off-season a couple of years ago). The wall goes up on the thin mountain ridge looking like a dragons back. It`s in the original state without the newest renovations like in Badaling, which is more like a Disney Land. In Simatai the wall is broken, steps are missing and trees grow on the Towers. Some parts are so steep you need to go on your feet and hands! Be aware, there are no banisters stopping you from falling down the cliffs. Here you can enjoy the silence of this magnificent world heritage on your own. Ive been there with a friend on our own for a whole day - not one single soul came passing by. It was great!

For the video quality, I have to say that this material is from 2003 and we had a low quality cam and little filming experience. Hope you can enjoy it, despite the lower than usual quality.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• China
• Simatai
• Beijing
• Great
• Wall
• Zhong
• Guo
• 中国
• 中國
• 北京
• 长城

[akinkhoo]

entire families used to live inside those towers, the great wall is very much a defensive structure as it is a home for the garrison and their families...

[albtay]

Amazing to see sections of the Great Wall that is so unlike those for the tourist at Badaling. Thanks.