The well preserved and beautiful Great Wall in Qian'an (Tangshan prefecture) is about 45 km, which includes Xuliukou, Lengkou, Heliukou and the Baiyangyu Great Wall section.
We can safely claim that we have passed through them as evident by the designated ground bricks found.
30/09/16. 07:15 – 14:30. 11.95km. 21,727 steps. TA 938m. ME 550m.
Lengkou (冷口) - Dalongmiaocun. (大龙庙村)
Today being the last hiking day for JK, we decided to take in the enchanting Lengkou white marble wall. It was a 4km hike to the eye-split, where we decided to take the longer luscious upper lid (weaker outer wall) which ran for 3.5 km with attractively strewn orangey “mascara“. The inner stronger wall has 6 strong towers. Found a few interesting bricks with "中" (zhong - middle/central) character indicating that these were meant for the middle section. A most beautiful section, shame for the hazy weather which mars its magnificience.
Upon reaching Dalongmiaocun exit, we decided to stop, as it would require another 6km and a 120m climb to Baiyangyu – we didn’t think we had enough daylight hours nor additional stamina to make it.
After 6 days, 68.7km, all legs are still good and strong - the wonder of the sea buckthorn seed oil - thanks and bless the angel who gave me a boxful. Though doing the squat at the home stay is still excruciatingly challenging.
01/10/16. 07:00 – 15:30. 12.5km. 22,726 steps. TA 898m. ME 488.
Baiyangyu – Dalongmiaocun; Lengkou East – “fake“? fortress.
Went over the Baiyang river and behind a farmer’s house, found the path up to the mountain fortress. Sauntered through the scenic 5km Beishanguo stretch with 19 towers in smoggy weather.
We were quickly reminded that Golden week has started with hordes of tourists from Tangshan, scrambling over the mountain from Dalongmiaocun. Shrieking women took turns to have snapshots with the obliging “laowai“, and we had to let the brouhaha subside before we could continue the other way.
CH took us across to Lengkou to hike the eastern wall, explored and had a concerned look at the ridge towards the Pingtailing (平台岭) wall – a deep plunge to the valley beside the Shahe river, and then up to the wall. While we ponder the challenge, we proceeded to what the locals term as the “fake“ fortress of Lengkou. The outer wall was solid, the interior was covered with overgrowth masking any possible structure – thus a fake empty fortress with just surrounding walls. Claimed it was specifically built to confuse and deter invaders(??).
Ended the day early and returned to our home stay at Baiyangyu, had a good dinner, and the kind landlady washed our sweat-stained clothes. We are expecting a 51 towers long day hike tomorrow.
02/10/16. 07:00 – 15:30. 12km. 21,818 steps. TA 903m, ME 489m.
Lengkou - Xuliukoucun (徐流口村)
After a good night’s sleep, AL managed to find the path up from the Shahe river bank on GoogleEarth. Started at the Lengkou brick kiln, down the muddy river bank to the valley and found the path up the wall 1.5hrs later – was pleasantly surprised to find 2 bottles of water left on the wall for fellow hikers, took one – bless the kind soul – all in, an incredible find by AL. A splendid white wall stretch ahead as we took the long trek through Pingtailing, and Donggou Ditch (东沟) along the outer weaker Heliukou (河流口) wall passing through 23 towers, and finally, went down the Xuliukou gap to the village of Xuliukoucun.
Along the hike we were greeted with loud thunders of fire crackers and were taken to a home stay at TaoLinkou (桃林口) to a even louder chorus of 50 school children - all packed into 3 bedrooms. Dinner was a scream, they were so happy. On this day, we also met a colourful nymph, a beautiful bird, mating spiders and praying mantis - the wonders of nature. A tough day turns out pretty well.
03/10/16. 07:15 – 16:45. 13.1km. 23,887 steps. TA 777m, ME 611m.
Xuliukou - Liujiakou (刘家口) – Dashi Jin (大石近) - Shuiyucun (水峪村)
With a couple of guests in tow, we continued from the Xuliukou gap down to the famous ancient watergate at Liujiakou. A huge grand, well preserved watergate astride one of the dried up tributary of the Qinglong river.
We then proceeded along the long white stone wall with seemingly countless towers towards Taolinkou. Exited at Dashi Jin and ended the day at Shuiyucun village. It’s at this stretch that we found the “左“ (zuǒ – left) and the “右“ (yòu - right) bricks. Indeed, this indicates that we been to the 左-右-中 (left-right-centre) of the Qian‘An wall section.
It’s then back to Taolingou homestay for dinner served with organic vegetables from the backyard garden.
After 9 days, rain is forecasted for tomorrow. The other day, when we left Baiyangyu, the kind landlady washed our clothes for free and gave us each a bagful of walnuts – said, good for the brain – now, that’s a thought, indeed mine needed a tweak.
04/10/2016. 06:45 – 11:50. 7.3km. 13,273 steps. TA 382m, ME 508m.
Dashi Jin - Taolingkou.
Started early to avoid the forecasted rain said to be @11:00am. There were threats of dark clouds but no rain came. Last night's strong wind seems to have blown the smog away, clearing up the sky. Approaching Taoliingkou, we were presented a spectacular view of Qinglong river and the Taolingkou Reservoir, with the wall meandering into it.
Given the beautiful Great Wall, a large fortress being restored and the Qinglong riverside with imposing mountains, Taolingkoucun is being developed into a recreation place, dotted with new resorts. There was a group of budding artists sketching a broken tower, many young folks engaged in water sports, local tourists strolling along the river front and frequenting the many eateries.
The challenge for us is the connecting towers/wall on the other side of the water, and of course, swimming as 1 option. Then there is the ducky boat, the Zorb ball and the bamboo raft.
The bigger challenge is to climb 400m within a distance of 500m, to the Tianjinlou tower @500m from the water's edge. Spent the whole afternoon figuring out the path up, and much later, we were encouraged when we saw an individual seemingly sprinting down the slope. We think it will take at least 2 hrs to reach the wall, fingers crossed, Uncle Hin can make it.
Rain finally poured down with very strong wind in the night.