A Travel Guide to the Great Wall of China

When I visited China a few years back, I made a point of doing what almost all tourists to China do: I visited the Great Wall. Though I'm not sure what I expected before embarking on my journey to the Great Wall of China, I can tell you that the reality was different from my expectations. Perhaps sharing from my experience will help you to prepare well for your own personal Great Wall experience.

Physical Stamina is Required for the Great Wall of China

My biggest surprise was how important it is to be physically fit to really enjoy the Great Wall of China. The wall is great for many reasons, the main one being it's size. I knew that, of course before going there, so that was no surprise. However, I wasn't prepared for how strenuous it would be to walk along the Great Wall.

This isn't to say that the Great Wall cannot be enjoyed by elderly or out of shape individuals. There are indeed numerous places people can sit and rest and perhaps enjoy some refreshments or a fine meal, but you'll enjoy your time on the Great Wall more if you are in decent physical condition. If you have some time to plan ahead, go ahead and work on getting in shape now.

Uneven Steps on the Great Wall of China

I wasn't prepared for the fact that the steps are very uneven. Some steps are very deep and others very narrow. Our tour guide told us that the steps were built unevenly to prevent attacking armies from running up or down them. The deep steps take quite a bit of effort to climb up, particularly if you are a little on the short side. Since the steps are so uneven, you must look down while walking to keep from tripping.

The Great Wall Can Be Accessed From Numerous Places

It is a bit of an exaggeration to say that the Great Wall of China is everywhere, but there are multiple places in China where you may enjoy this particular wonder of the world. Chances are good that you will fly into Beijing upon your arrival to China. If that's the case, you won't need to go too far out of your way to visit the Great Wall. In fact, there are eight Great Wall sites within the city of Beijing. Even if you are not big on tours, one of the easiest ways to get to the Great Wall is to book a tour at your hotel.

In my experience, going with a tour group allowed me plenty of time on the Great Wall and also provided me with ample time to shop, eat and take photos. Going on a tour also requires less hassle and haggling than trying to go it on your own and you can't beat the convenience of being picked up and dropped off at your hotel.

References:

Personal experience and http://www.greatwall-of-china.com

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