hello everyone,i am planning to do the hike from jinshanling to simatai in the middle

Question

Hello everyone,I am planning to do the hike from Jinshanling to Simatai in the middle of September and I have a couple of questions:I plan to go back to Beijing by taking kuai/fast bus 980 (17 yuan) in Miyun Bus Station in Miyun (the last bus leaves at 6:30 pm). So do I have to get to the bus stop via taxi or is there other way to get back to Miyun? HOW MUCH should I bargain for and how long it might take? How about if I go straight to Beijing from Simatai by taxi (time and price-I-should-stick-too)? Is it easy to find taxis around Simatai after 5 pm? I want to be on the wall when the sun begins to set because I find it to be the best time to view nature. But it seems that everyone (tourist groups and transport for them) leaves by 2pm and I am very afraid I will not be able to catch not-insanely-overpriced ride back to the capital. But if I am caught in the situation when there is practically no one and I have to take a taxi to Miyu (to reach it before 6:30) or straight to Beijing, how much should be reasonable to pay?  Thank you in advance.

Mr.GREEN · Answer

I went to Simatai three years ago. Here is my experience. I traveled Simatai with three of my friends. We hired a car (local private car) from Simatai parking lot to Miyun, it costs us 40yuan, but this is not a fixed price, which I mean you can bargain, and I don't know if the price changes at this time. We spent about one hour to Miyun bus station (if my memory not bad). If you take a taxi straightly from Simatai to Beijing, it will probably cost 300 to 400 yuan. It is not a big problem to find a taxi after 5pm. There are many cars at Simatai parking lot which are willing to take visitors back to Miyun or Beijing. Good luck!

Mr.Tracey · Answer

My wife and myself just did this very walk in the middle of August. We are both in our late 40s and found it no problem whatsoever. (we do not do any walking back in the U.K). it took us about 2 and Three quater hours and we stopped a lot to take photographs about 300 in all.  We went with a company and the cost was $26.00 which included the 3 hour mini bus journey to Jingshanling all entrance fees and the three hour journey back in same mini bus. It is a fantastic experiance and we highly reccommend it.Tip,, use the zip line at Simatai it was a great way to get back down off the wall. We were visiting from the U.k

Ms.Nika · Answer

Mr.GREEN,Thank you for your answer and the Good Luck wish! :)One hour and 40  yuan from Simatai to Miyun seems to be a very good perspective. And I'm relieved to hear there is transport after 5pm.

Ms.Nika · Answer

Mr.Tracey,Thank you for your reply!> We are both in our late 40s and found it no problem whatsoever. (we do not do any walking back in the U.K). I'm also a person who doesn't do much exercise/hiking so it's good to know that the Great Wall is not that hard. Oh well, I would do it anyway! > Tip,, use the zip line at Simatai it was a great way to get back down off the wall. I'm planning to! I saw the photographs and I would never forgive myself if I chickened out of taking that flying fox. It's like an Amusement Park treat after the hike! :DI will probably be holding on for dear life though.

Mr.sue · Answer

We just got back from Simati tonight.  We took the bus from Simaati -6 yuan - then the 980 bus from Miyun to Beijing long distance bus station -15 yuan.  The last bus left Simati at 4.30. If you are going from Beijing take the 980 bus and stay on until it reaches the depot at Miyun.  Someone will get on the bus and tell you to get off before this but stay on it so as to connect with next bus.  Otherwise you wil have to hire a 'taxi' for about 180 yuan.  You wil be told there is no bus to Simati, but this is not true.I suggest you stay the night at Simati.  There is a dirty (bathroom) and rundown so called youth hostel at the base of Sumati. We had a private room for 280 per night.    Great views.  We stayed on the wall until dusk.  Locals may also offer accommodation for 50 yuan each person.

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