Touring - Great Wall of China Tour...

My dream biking tour would be to ride the entire length of the great wall of china (on the wall's path way). Would it be possible to do this? I am looking into it, and I want to know if they would even let you ride a bike on it! anyways, peace-out & hit me up with some info.

The wall is only restored for a very short length, you wouldn't be able to ride along much of it if you could get permission. From the cycling books I've read - Bettina Selby, Anne Mustoe, The Crane cousins - they've all had problems riding in China, but things may have opened up...

There's also alot of stairs involved and gates and buildings to go through...

I'd rather go to Xian and ride around the outskirts of the main city on the city walls (it's a walled city). I'm told they did or used to have races on them every year. It's cobblestone on the top and has a great view of the city and the surroundings..

Jay

I'd rather ride in the land to the north that inspired the great wall. riding in china can have it's dificulties. mainly finding out of the way spots to pitch. I'll be in the Border lands of Tibet and Burma for a few months. lots of nice things to see there. you know, if mountains float your boat and what not.

My dream biking tour would be to ride the entire length of the great wall of china (on the wall's path way). Would it be possible to do this? I am looking into it, and I want to know if they would even let you ride a bike on it! anyways, peace-out & hit me up with some info.


You can ride in the area around the Great Wall but the entire wall is far too difficult to bike along. Most of the eastern part is pitched on top of mountains and the tracks are steep. You could leave the bike at home and trek along it. When I went to an un restored part of the wall we were scouring up the wall on our hands and knees it was so steep. In the west the wall has detierated into the desert and is nothing more than a mond in the sand this too would be difficult but not impossable if you dont mind the heat of the desert.

I doubt the Chinese government would allow this. Of course, you could take your chances. (BTW, I understand that chinese jails are particularily nasty-better clear it with the Chinese consulate first)