Jessie, thank you for your comment. You have to experience the great wall in person as no words can describe the feeling. Avoid Badaling, as it's the most crowded section. Jinshanlin to Simatai may be a good start for you. Try Jiankou (unrestored 'Wild' Great Wall) if you are adventurous and fit. Trees and shrubs are growing on the wall itself and it's the most interesting section that I have trekked on.
Yolanda, thank you for your comments. Standing on the ancient wall, all alone by yourselves, gives you a feeling that no words can describe. We initially felt a bit nervous... it was like stepping back in time. We soon got over it and had a great time, trekking and enjoying the fantastic scenery. We did some more trekking in Jiankou (Wild Great Wall) & Huanghuacheng (Water Great Wall) in autumn this year (2013) and will post it soon.
Hi Molly, indeed, I am happy to have walked the wall with my family. The kids are growing up. The lovely girl in the video has completed her university education and the little boy is not little any more. He is entering junior college next year. This video is a treasured keepsake for my family and hopefully, an encouragement for all the people out there to take a walk into the past with their loved ones.
Lovely video Mr Chen & family. I will be visiting the great wall early in December 18, like you, without a guide. I was wondering how to organize it, so thanks for this info. Very helpful. Any other information to share will be appreciated.
Hi Debbie, try to hike there on your own at least once if you are fit, adventurous and have a good sense of direction. Do lots of research before you go. If you have time, going by public transport is the best way. It's really low cost and you get to see how the locals live. Beware of the bus scam. During your bus journey, an accomplice on the bus shouts "Get down here for the Great Wall" in Chinese. They will point and urge you to get down. If you got down, you will be in the wilderness and 'helpful' drivers will appear and offer to send you to the Great Wall at exorbitant prices. Do stay at farm houses if you can. Villagers with extra rooms will gladly accommodate and cook for you at a reasonable fee. Start your hike early as days are short in winter. It gets dark by 5pm if I remember correctly. My favourite hikes are: 1) Jiankou to Mutianyu - stunning scenery, natural, unrestored Great Wall. Will bump into occasional fellow trekkers. 2) Gubeikou to Jinshanling - natural, broken down Great Wall, very very long trek. Know where to get off the wall near the military zone and get back up again. No human beings near you within 10km, so don't get hurt or lose you way 3) Jinshanling to Simatai - beautiful scenery. Restored wall. Vendors shadowing and pestering you to buy things. Many fellow hikers will be on the same trip. 4) Badaling - Don't go. You will regret. I speak Mandarin so I had no problem. Do learn a bit of Mandarin before you go. Tell me your stories if you go. I will love to hear them. Cheers!
I happened to pass by this awesome video, as i am going to great wall next week. but i also have plan to go again in december or jan when it snows. love the way you went with your family, and if you are going this winter, do let me know, me and my wife would love to join . :)
Super Mama, thank you for your comment. Autumn, winter and spring are great times to visit the Great Wall. Hope you will have a wonderful time there. Plan your trip well, bring the correct clothing and you will enjoy your trip. Hiking sticks are absolutely necessary in winter as the ground will be slippery and help is many kilometres away. I have posted 3 videos on my Autumn Hikes at the Great Wall. Please check them out when you are free. My next goal will be a DIY camping trip at Jiankou. Cheers!
Hi Dough, if you want the whole Great Wall to yourself, this is it. For the Goubeikou to Jinshanling hike, start early & hire a car to take you there. We underestimated the time & started trekking at 12.30pm. It was darkness by 5pm. We got down the wall near the military zone & continued walking 2 hrs in darkness under the starlight till we reached farmhouses. This experience brought my family closer together. Keep fit, do research and an unforgettable experience awaits you and your girls!
Thank you for your comment. The young lady is doing her final year university course and the young man is taller than his mum now. We are so glad that we made this video. Cheers!
Sep 21, 16 Too bad I am too old for such adventures. I've gone to the sections of the Great Wall of your video-by car! See more of China and post more videos. God bless.
OMG!! That's an awesome trip. When did u went there. I was there at Mutianyu in 2012 Dec but unfortunately it didn't snow. Planning to go again in Dec 2015. Hopefully can see snow.
We were at Mutianyu on 12 Dec 2012. What a coincidence! It snowed heavily with very little warning that day. We had the Wall to ourselves after we hiked up from the farm houses at daybreak. (see video). The Official ticketed gates opened much later. We enjoyed the snowfall but missed the Toboggan ride as this did not operate that day for safety reasons. When we came down from the Wall, trucks were pouring sacks of chunky salt onto the main road to create traction, as vehicles were skidding on the slippery surface. We paid double the price to get a willing driver to drive us to the nearest town to catch the express bus to Beijing. We trekked to Mutianyu again in October 2013 from Jiankou. Went there to experience the Great Wall in Autumn. Had to pay an enterprising villager for use of his home made ladder to reach the top of the "Sharp North Tower" at Jiankou. Navigated through the trees and shrubs on top of the "Wild Great Wall". The autumn scenery was wonderful!
You have set yourself a very difficult dream. The entire distance is 21,196km and you will have a logistical nightmare. You can't possibly back pack all the food, water and batteries that you will need from point to point right? Besides, the Wall is not continuous and is broken up at several places due to urbanisation. The Wall from Simatai West to Jinshanling is blocked. There's also a section at HuangHuaCheng that is submerged under water. Being a foreigner shouldn't be a problem. I'm not sure about the Chinese government though. Please spend time to do research if you really want to challenge yourself. All the best to you!
I used the Canon EOS 650D back then. It's antique by today' standard. It did not freeze as I kept it warm in my sling bag . Only took it out to film and quickly put it back. Brought extra batteries as these did not last long in cold weather.
In January, it will be middle of winter with temperatures of minus 12 degrees or lower. It will be cold and slippery. Please take extra precaution for safety. All the best to you.
0:00 A legend was born
My daughters and I loved this. We want to do the same trip!
Enjoyed your video. Thanks
Mr. Chen, you and your "team" produced a wonderful,playful,touching travelogue.
Walking the Ancient Self to an ancient place.
+yarisknow Thank you Yaris.
mate you inspire me to one day take my own family to hike the wall.. awesome...!!
Beautiful experience and journey to share with family. thank you
+Roland Lowhorn Thank you Roland.
th-cam.com/video/H_OnEa0dzyk/w-d-xo.html&feature=share
Thank you sir for your comment. It's really beautiful.
Thank you for your encourgaement!
Thanks for sharing, I enjoy watching it... Merry Christmas to you
Thank you Whiskey Rose!
th-cam.com/video/H_OnEa0dzyk/w-d-xo.html&feature=share
beautiful video, can't wait to see the great wall
Jessie, thank you for your comment. You have to experience the great wall in person as no words can describe the feeling. Avoid Badaling, as it's the most crowded section. Jinshanlin to Simatai may be a good start for you. Try Jiankou (unrestored 'Wild' Great Wall) if you are adventurous and fit. Trees and shrubs are growing on the wall itself and it's the most interesting section that I have trekked on.
Thank you very much for the advice, I will definitely look into it! Looking forward to seeing more videos of China.
Jessie, I have uploaded 3 videos on my autumn Great Wall hikes. Check it out!
Beautiful!
awesome video you all didn't seem nervous or scared I would have been LOL!
Yolanda, thank you for your comments. Standing on the ancient wall, all alone by yourselves, gives you a feeling that no words can describe. We initially felt a bit nervous... it was like stepping back in time. We soon got over it and had a great time, trekking and enjoying the fantastic scenery.
We did some more trekking in Jiankou (Wild Great Wall) & Huanghuacheng (Water Great Wall) in autumn this year (2013) and will post it soon.
I am looking forward to the new video. I am planning a trip to China and I hope to do something like this. Thanks for sharing!!
Hi Yolanda, I have uploaded 3 videos on my autumn Great Wall Hikes. Do check it out. Did you make your trip to China?
You must be very proud to have achieved that. Well done! Not many people can walk the wall.
Hi Molly, indeed, I am happy to have walked the wall with my family. The kids are growing up. The lovely girl in the video has completed her university education and the little boy is not little any more. He is entering junior college next year. This video is a treasured keepsake for my family and hopefully, an encouragement for all the people out there to take a walk into the past with their loved ones.
Lovely video Mr Chen & family. I will be visiting the great wall early in December 18, like you, without a guide. I was wondering how to organize it, so thanks for this info. Very helpful. Any other information to share will be appreciated.
Hi Debbie, try to hike there on your own at least once if you are fit, adventurous and have a good sense of direction. Do lots of research before you go. If you have time, going by public transport is the best way. It's really low cost and you get to see how the locals live.
Beware of the bus scam. During your bus journey, an accomplice on the bus shouts "Get down here for the Great Wall" in Chinese. They will point and urge you to get down. If you got down, you will be in the wilderness and 'helpful' drivers will appear and offer to send you to the Great Wall at exorbitant prices.
Do stay at farm houses if you can. Villagers with extra rooms will gladly accommodate and cook for you at a reasonable fee. Start your hike early as days are short in winter. It gets dark by 5pm if I remember correctly.
My favourite hikes are:
1) Jiankou to Mutianyu - stunning scenery, natural, unrestored Great Wall. Will bump into occasional fellow trekkers.
2) Gubeikou to Jinshanling - natural, broken down Great Wall, very very long trek. Know where to get off the wall near the military zone and get back up again. No human beings near you within 10km, so don't get hurt or lose you way
3) Jinshanling to Simatai - beautiful scenery. Restored wall. Vendors shadowing and pestering you to buy things. Many fellow hikers will be on the same trip.
4) Badaling - Don't go. You will regret.
I speak Mandarin so I had no problem. Do learn a bit of Mandarin before you go. Tell me your stories if you go. I will love to hear them. Cheers!
Hi Debbie, did you go on the Great Wall trip? Please share your experience if you did. Cheers.
We enjoyed your video. Thank you!
Thank you Tim
th-cam.com/video/H_OnEa0dzyk/w-d-xo.html&feature=share
I happened to pass by this awesome video, as i am going to great wall next week. but i also have plan to go again in december or jan when it snows. love the way you went with your family, and if you are going this winter, do let me know, me and my wife would love to join . :)
Super Mama, thank you for your comment. Autumn, winter and spring are great times to visit the Great Wall. Hope you will have a wonderful time there. Plan your trip well, bring the correct clothing and you will enjoy your trip. Hiking sticks are absolutely necessary in winter as the ground will be slippery and help is many kilometres away. I have posted 3 videos on my Autumn Hikes at the Great Wall. Please check them out when you are free. My next goal will be a DIY camping trip at Jiankou. Cheers!
What can i say, Awesome video awesome location.
Hi Dough, if you want the whole Great Wall to yourself, this is it. For the Goubeikou to Jinshanling hike, start early & hire a car to take you there. We underestimated the time & started trekking at 12.30pm. It was darkness by 5pm. We got down the wall near the military zone & continued walking 2 hrs in darkness under the starlight till we reached farmhouses. This experience brought my family closer together.
Keep fit, do research and an unforgettable experience awaits you and your girls!
First after 8 yrs
@@yourmomissus7179 Don't understand your message. Thanks for watching.
我還第一次看到一面登長城下大雪。
So nice!
Thank you, Ometecuhtli!
Sept 13, 16
You ladies are adventurous and tough. My salutations.
Thank you for your comment. The young lady is doing her final year university course and the young man is taller than his mum now. We are so glad that we made this video. Cheers!
Sep 21, 16
Too bad I am too old for such adventures. I've gone to the sections of the Great Wall of your video-by car!
See more of China and post more videos.
God bless.
I did this winter trek when I was 58 yrs old. I have gone on other treks since then. Age is just a number!
nice camera shot of Great Wall!
Thank you, Mannus mates.
OMG!! That's an awesome trip. When did u went there. I was there at Mutianyu in 2012 Dec but unfortunately it didn't snow. Planning to go again in Dec 2015. Hopefully can see snow.
We were at Mutianyu on 12 Dec 2012. What a coincidence! It snowed heavily with very little warning that day. We had the Wall to ourselves after we hiked up from the farm houses at daybreak. (see video). The Official ticketed gates opened much later. We enjoyed the snowfall but missed the Toboggan ride as this did not operate that day for safety reasons.
When we came down from the Wall, trucks were pouring sacks of chunky salt onto the main road to create traction, as vehicles were skidding on the slippery surface. We paid double the price to get a willing driver to drive us to the nearest town to catch the express bus to Beijing.
We trekked to Mutianyu again in October 2013 from Jiankou. Went there to experience the Great Wall in Autumn. Had to pay an enterprising villager for use of his home made ladder to reach the top of the "Sharp North Tower" at Jiankou. Navigated through the trees and shrubs on top of the "Wild Great Wall". The autumn scenery was wonderful!
wow... 😮
Hi CM, I had missed this golden oldie, how old is your son now ?
Steve Hutchesson he is 17 and as tall as me now. A fine young man.
Hello, may i know what type of shoes you all wear for this hike? thanks
Wilson954 Hi, we wore Salomon trail running shoes. Cheers
th-cam.com/video/H_OnEa0dzyk/w-d-xo.html&feature=share
My goal is to hike the full distance of The Great Wall Of China, is this possible for a foreigner and the Chinese government?
You have set yourself a very difficult dream. The entire distance is 21,196km and you will have a logistical nightmare. You can't possibly back pack all the food, water and batteries that you will need from point to point right? Besides, the Wall is not continuous and is broken up at several places due to urbanisation. The Wall from Simatai West to Jinshanling is blocked. There's also a section at HuangHuaCheng that is submerged under water. Being a foreigner shouldn't be a problem. I'm not sure about the Chinese government though. Please spend time to do research if you really want to challenge yourself. All the best to you!
What camera did you use? Did it not hang
I used the Canon EOS 650D back then. It's antique by today' standard. It did not freeze as I kept it warm in my sling bag . Only took it out to film and quickly put it back. Brought extra batteries as these did not last long in cold weather.
nice...i will come in jan 2018
In January, it will be middle of winter with temperatures of minus 12 degrees or lower. It will be cold and slippery. Please take extra precaution for safety. All the best to you.
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
胆儿真肥啊！带着小娃娃爬野长城！