Climbing in China

Hello, I'll be heading to China in a week maybe and was wondering if anyone knew of good climbing around Shenzhen, or Hangzhou. Or really anywhere. I'm just looking for some pointers or someone who has climbed there and has some tips. I have no idea what China's climbing scene is like, I've only ever been for business trips.

I was contemplating taking a week and going to Thailand but I might just stay in China instead since I'll have a visa I feel like I should take advantage of it.

I forgot to ask about renting gear too. If anyone knows of a place that rents rope & draws that'd be great, I don't know that I can lug my rope and everything else along. Probably just my harness & shoes.

I hate to state the obvious, since I've never been: a quick google of 'Yangshou' should give you lots of beta on one of the best sport climbing areas on the planet (so say a lot of my friends who have been).

There COULD be some local stuff around Hangzhou, but I haven’t heard about it. Like others have mentioned, if you’re going to be in Shenzhen, then you’re not too far away from some world class climbing in Yangshuo (not “Yangshou”). A couple of years ago you could hop on an overnight sleeper bus in Shenzhen and be in Yangshuo in the morning. They were improving the road between Shenzhen and Yangshuo back then, so now it should take even less time. I’m not aware of any local companies that rent rope… do you really want to rent a rope since you don’t know what others have been doing with it? If you can’t bring gear with you, either go to some climber hangout and try to meet other to climb with, or hire one of the local guides. It’s China, so stuff is pretty cheap and it won’t break your piggy bank to hire a local guide. Plus it helps out the locals.

Shout out to the crew at "Climb China" for putting together an awesome guidebook. If you're going to be traveling between those two places, then China is your oyster, likely starting with Yangshuo. It's the most foreigner-friendly destination established thus far. There is also Getu, and Liming, and Keketouhai if you're so inclined. Check out Michael Dobie's blog as well. A lot going on out there.

Having said all this, I've never actually been to "China". Australia sounds alright though...

Yea, we'll be doing some days in Yangshuo I think. I've got a lot of information from google, I was just hoping someone would have first hand experience they could pass down. There do seem to be some routes in Hangzhou but they seem kind of hard (for me) and I don't have trad gear to take.

I may try to find a guide to just show us around for a day or two. I'll report back either way.

If you are going to be spending any amount of time in Hangzhou or Shenzhen, then you should check out two smaller crags closer to each spot. Within an hour-and-a-half of Hangzhou is "Lin'an" - a single pitch granite sport crag - get in touch with Joe Langwald. Within three hours of Shenzhen is "Qingyuan" - a limestone sport crag. There is also stellar climbing in and around Hong Kong. I would love to help you out further, but not sure what kind of beta you're looking for. All of these areas are covered in "Climb China" as well. It was published recently after extensive firsthand experience from the authors, one of whom is a friend I have climbed with extensively.

Bad ass, thanks for the info. I'm going to get that Climb China book, I head on next Wednesday and I'm not sure if my wife will actually let me take a day to go climbing, but I think I can convince her...

If I do find the time while in Hangzhou I'll look up Joe!

Thanks again.

I know Black Diamond has a plant in Zhuhai which is about a 2 hour ferry from Shenzhen. There may be some folks who would like to get out?

There are also some spots in Hong Kong I have heard about and may be worth the ferry ride over.

China is truly an awesome place to visit to climb. Fun to see the people, culture, and just exploring their way of life and their happens to be epic climbing. I spent just over 3 weeks there and started in hong kong, unfortunately didn't get to climb there because it rained the whole time. Took an overnight bus from shenzen directly to Yangshuo 12+ hours, Stay at the climbers inn, near west street. If Lily is still running that spot you should be in good hands. She hires her homies who are taxi drivers to take batches of climbers to whichever crag they desire at around 9 or 10 AM. they drop you off and come back to get you around 5 or 6 or whatever time you tell them. The guidebook is kind of confusing and a lot of the little "mini mountains" of Yanshuo look a lot alike. That's why its nice to go to climbers in so you don't waste any time. Food in Yangshuo is great - 5 US dollars gets you a large breakfast complete with juice, musli, fruit, coffee, toast, eggs and bacon, or you can get noodle/rice bowls for 10 Chinese yuan ~ 1.60 US. 6-7 dollars will get you a nice dinner - massive burger with friends and a beer or a drink. Definetly Spend 1 week+ in yangshuo you wont regret it. from there we took an over night train from Guiyang to Ziyun then buses/taxis from Ziyun to Getu valley - another must see. The great arch and the Chinese culture around it were unbeilievable. The Chinese people there are so nice they would invite us into their homes for dinner - everynight - for free. best food I had int china was in getu. Getu valley has some of the coolest multipitch sport climbing graded from 5.10 to 5.14 so pick your poison. Go there for sure. I don't have any other beta on the other spots but Liming looked awesome too. kinda resembled Utah/indian creek style cracks and big walls. get at me for more details jamotron@gmail.com

^^ Fantastic, that sounds amazing. I wish this was a pure climbing trip and not business... I may send you an email in a few days or so.

Jesse Toedtman wrote:I know Black Diamond has a plant in Zhuhai which is about a 2 hour ferry from Shenzhen. There may be some folks who would like to get out? There are also some spots in Hong Kong I have heard about and may be worth the ferry ride over.