I have always been afraid to go to high places since I was a child and after realizing and embracing my fear, I’m trying to conquer it one baby step at a time now.
This time around, climbing up the Great Wall in Beijing had just proven to be a nice exercise to do that.
Most Great wall tours that I’ve heard were about Simatai and Badaling and I’ve never heard of anything else aside from those. the hostel that I stayed was offering the same kind of tours for about 300 Yuan and I noticed another Great wall tour that cost less (about 230 Yuan).
Being the cheapskate that I am, I opted to book the Yellow Flower City Great wall Tour instead since it’s the cheapest option to catch one of the most impressive man-made wonders in the whole world.
We all arrived at Yellow Flower City after a short two hour drive from our hostel. The first challenge then for me was to cross the short hanging bridge. Our crazy and stupid driver was making fun of me and was jumping on the hanging bridge while I was walking on it. Maybe he sensed that I was afraid of it because I was too cautious on every step I took.
As soon as we crossed the bridge we then proceeded on the short ascent that lasted for maybe about half an hour.
Everyone was enjoying the short hike except me and one Mexican who were busy stopping and catching our breaths. I was starting to think that I should quit smoking to improve my stamina but hell no.
Finally we were able to enter one of the Great Wall’s fort and started climbing up to explore the other areas.
F*ck!!! Some areas were too steeped for me to walk on and I started feeling dizzy because it felt like I already reached my tolerable altitude limit. I’m not sure if you could relate to this but sometimes when I’m on a very high place, I get this weird feeling of wanting to jump which I know is a crazy thought right.
I’ve decided to stop and chat instead with our tour guide about how life’s like in Beijing. After being in Beijing for just a couple of days, I felt that I could live in this city for awhile. I like the city’s cool vibe and of course the food. Eating Chinese food is on top of almost everyone’s list right?
After a couple of hours of waiting for everyone else. We’ve all went back to the restaurant and had our lunch.
Survival Tips to Future Great Wall Explorers
1. Wear comfortable shoes with good grip. You don’t want to be the first tourist who slipped and fell of the wall, do you?
2. Depending on the climate, wear appropriate clothing. It was a little cold when I went there last April 29 and good thing i carried my hoodie with me.
3. Bring your bottled water. Climbing up the wall is exhausting and drinking water every now and then will help you feel refreshed and hydrated.
4. Don’t rush yourself. The tour will give you ample time to explore a few areas of the Great Wall. take your time to appreciate the beauty of this magnificent structure.
5. Take your trash with you: “nuff said.
Photo credits: Pics by Frameless World
This is one of my dream destinations
Ganda 
abangan lang ulit yung promo ng Cebu Pac for cheap airfare to Beijing
i felt dizzy walking (running) on the wall… did you feel the same thing too?
i was terrified ron, di na ako lumayo, pag akyat ko steady na lang ako dun haha that’s the best that i could do man (t least for the time being)…
Going to the great wall of China is one of those things I wish I had done. Unfortunately, when I traveled through China, I flew into Shanghai and worked my way down into Vietnam. I didn’t have a chance to go up there. But it looks like you had some fun despite being a little afraid of the height.
it was fun and I did enjoy the cool air and the nice view up there…
Good advice! I’d love to do this one day but I’m also afraid of heights.
i was so afraid too Corinne hehe… it was so steep but you should try it…
This is on my list for next year. I keep moving it to ‘next year’ but I have to see this one in 2012
add this to your backpacking itinerary sa 2012 para tipid… just travel overland from beijing to southeast asia
Flip, congrats to you for partially overcoming your fear! There are definitely some super steep parts . . . and if you are afraid of heights, I definitely don’t recommend going to Huang Shan mountain because that was much scarier and nerve wracking than the Great Wall.
thanks Akila… there are a lot of steep parts and i didnt dare anymore LOL… just one baby step at a time is enough for me
i can relate!
for someone with a fear of heights, conquering great wall is a big achievement 
We were in Beijing last month and we went to Mutianyu Great Wall. To be able to reach the great wall we need to ride a cable car and to go down we used the toboggan slide. It’s such an experience 
Securing a VISA is the first thing to do.. though I have this weird intimidation when applying for VISAs, I’ll still pursue my plan of seeing great wall myself.. do you have an itinerary for this flip?..
wala akong Iti jeff eh, pero other than great wall, yung ibang tourists spots madaling puntahan dahil sa connected MRTs nila
im sure you’ll get the visa 
Hi Flip. Masuwerte ka hindi ka dumaan via Badaling. Tourist peak season is crazy there. Para kaming mga sardinas sa lata sa sikip, and everyone is trying to jostle, shuffle and maneuver just walking on the steep walls. The ride starts with a cable car to bring you to the highest point so I don’t know how your senses will handle it, but I guess you’ve managed well.
It was hard for me since I couldn’t get a decent shot of the ancient wonder without so many people pushing me around.
So I see yours as a zen-like experience compared to mine na para akong namamalengke. Your post brings back memories of last year’s trip.
Needless to say, the Great Wall is awesome. But not the Firewall. (wink)
yun din yung sinabi sa amin nung hostel reception na sobrang dami sa badaling and due to budget constraints rin, we opted to go to Yellow flower
mas mura rin kasi, then konti lang tao:-)