Jinshanling is one of the most secluded sections and the 10km hike isn't for just anyone.  Photo by Parin Desai

The three of us made our way along the wall at our own pace. It was slower going than at Badaling because there were crumbled sections of the wall that were difficult to maneuver. Our legs weren't too fond of the steep stairs, but we kept moving on. We had brought only one bottle of water each and were very grateful that there were sellers all along the route offering us cold bottles of water. Without them we might have never made it through the hike.

My favorite experience about this hike was that there were multiple places where we were completely alone and could pause to enjoy the scenery that Mongolia and China offered us on each side. Near the end of the hike, we entered the Simatai section of the wall.

My favorite experience about this hike was that there were multiple places where we were completely alone and could pause to enjoy the scenery that Mongolia and China offered us on each side. Photo by Parin Desai

We had two options at the end of this section: to either finish the hike or take a zipline and boat to the end. We chose the latter and I would have to say it was the best decision to make. We could definitely have finished the hike, but the zipline was thrilling and an adventure worth taking. We flew over the river and it was the perfect end to a great hike.

These two sections of the Great Wall offered many extreme experiences and were two of the most amazing days that I have spent in China. I am so glad that I was able to go to both sections and would recommend them to any traveler who has never seen the Great Wall before. Badaling is a view of current China, while Jinshanling is more like a step back in time to ancient China.

Badaling is a view of current China, while Jinshanling is more like a step back in time to ancient China. Photo by Parin Desai

(China.org.cn August 12, 2008)