Xuanbi Changcheng (Overhanging Great Wall)
Built in 1539, this is supposedly as far as northwest as the Wall goes, but that's a myth. (There are sites farther west near Dunhuang.) This is part of the government's effort to capitalize on tourism by creating as many useless sites as possible in an effort to boost tourism revenues. Farmers were putting the masonry to better use before this section of the Wall was restored in 1988. It's a sweaty 20-minute climb into the desolateHei Shan (Black Mountains)as the Wall rises at a 45-degree angle for 500m (1,640 ft.). Chinese tourists arrange stones into the equivalent of "John loves Mary." Farms in the village below are a small finger of green in an immense desert. This section is 8km (5 miles) north of the fort, and can be reached by taxi or bike. Take plenty of water.
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| Hours | Apr-Oct 8:30am-8:30pm; Nov-Mar 8:30am-6pm | |
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| Prices | Admission ¥21 ($2.60) | |
