"Great" Great Wall

classic icons of China has the best tour guide. Bin Zhao was our guide and he was great!

Could you share how challenging this part of the trip was? Any suggestions? We were thinking of sneakers and walking sticks. What do you think?

You will do what you are able to do. The first part, where we accessed the wall itself, was three of four rough steps that had no handrail. I just crawled up it, but was worried how I'd get back down. It turns out the exit was a gradual decline without steps. Ha! should have gone up that way! Once on the wall I was able to walk a long way at my own pace. Some was rugged, but most was just up and down. As a solo traveler, I walked on my own with my group in sight. After walking a good ways (an hour?) we all stopped in one place for lunch. Half the group decided to go on, but the next part of the wall was about 200-300 steps straight up. I decided to turn around thinking I still had to go back an hour and I was not as young or fit as those going on. I felt satisfied with my experience. Yes, I wore tennis shoes and had one walking stick. The walking stick was helpful, but not absolutely necessary. We were there on a beautiful April day and I loved every single moment of it! I hope you do, too.

You will do what you are able to do. The first part, where we accessed the wall itself, was three of four rough steps that had no handrail. I just crawled up it, but was worried how I'd get back down. It turns out the exit was a gradual decline without steps. Ha! should have gone up that way! Once on the wall I was able to walk a long way at my own pace. Some was rugged, but most was just up and down. As a solo traveler, I walked on my own with my group in sight. After walking a good ways (an hour?) we all stopped in one place for lunch. Half the group decided to go on, but the next part of the wall was about 200-300 steps straight up. I decided to turn around thinking I still had to go back an hour and I was not as young or fit as those going on. I felt satisfied with my experience. Yes, I wore tennis shoes and had one walking stick. The walking stick was helpful, but not absolutely necessary. We were there on a beautiful April day and I loved every single moment of it! I hope you do, too.