Climbing the Great Wall : Are there steps? If so, how many? Are there hand rails?

Yes, there are steps which were mainly made of rocky. They are generally flat. There are hand rails at both sides. Each step is about 40 centimetre. It is a bit cliffy. You need to be careful when climb if wet.

You have two options - the really difficult climb and the really, really difficult climb. You don't have to climb very much in order to get a great view. As a fit senior I chose the most difficult route and took approx. 1 hour to climb the +1,200 steps plus ramps to ascend to the top. Steps are made of stone and very irregular - some only a few inches high and others approx. 20 inches. The handrails aren't of much value as they are so low. It's also hot and humid - 34C (93F) when we were there on May 21, 2013. Bring lots of water and don't over-do yourself. It would be treacherous in any rain/wet steps. There's a sign at the bottom that states, "You are not a man until you have climbed the Great Wall." This does not mean you have to climb to the very top.