TransIrUBBeBAMBa (14) - Great Wall of China at Huanghuacheng

We chose less popular section of the wall at Huanghuacheng. There are actually two places to try: at Xishuiyu reservoir and at Jintang Lake. The bus goes directly to the Lakeside reserve in Xishuiyu, where are also bits of submerged wall, so we went there. For a fee of 45Y the Lakeside reserve offers well prepared paths, restored section of the wall and other attractions like boat rides. There is a section of the wall that can be walked on, but we did not get that far due to heat. The views were spectacular and the walk around the lake really nice. It is probably as 'genuine' as other popular sites, but possibly more picturesque and definitely not crowded at all.

 

 

Useful tips:

How to get to Huanghuacheng Great Wall? From Dongzimen bus station (from subway line 2 follow signs to airport express and bus hall) take bus 916. There are conflicting pieces of advice on the internet (and most look like straight translation from Chinese...), but there is just one bus 916 and it is the express line (it goes through a motorway). There was a long queue, but once one bus was full, another approached immediately.

In Hiariou, on one of the first stops taxi drivers board the bus, fish out the foreigners trying to convince them there is no other way to get to the wall than a taxi. Do not get off. On the big roundabout the bus turns left, do not get off on that stop (unlike we did). Get off after the bus turns right on the traffic lights, that's what is called 'tax office'. Return to the lights, turn right and cross the road, 50m further there is a bus stop. Wait for bus H21, it takes you right to the lakeside reserve car park. See the track log of our ride with marked change location, beware in Google maps there is offset between vector and photo map (use the latter for precision)

On the way back H21 stops where you (should have) left 916 from Beijing. Go back to the traffic lights, go straight across and the return stop of 916 is about 200m away.

All the buses were air conditioned, it took about 2 hours from Dongzimen to the Lake Reserve (916 going every 10-15 minutes, H21 every 30 minutes), it cost us 9.60 Y total (adult single) with yikatong/IC card. If you did not buy it before, do it at Dongzimen, at the Airport express hall (passed on the way to the bus) there is ticket office issuing them. That will save you money (travel with the card is at discounted rate) and pleasure of dealing with conductor on board. Just scan the card when entering the bus and then when leaving (fare is distance based). 

If you want to see the wall at Jintang lake, get off at the cross roads to Huanghuacheng village (there is a bus shelter on the left, if you miss it just return to that spot), possibly there is another bus going closer to the lake as the main road goes through that pass.

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