Which Section of Great Wall to Visit: 10 Best Sections (2025 Guide)

As one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Great Wall of China is a border defense project built in ancient China. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, each section of Great Wall has a unique history, character, and natural landscape. A China tour without the Great Wall is incomplete. On the Great Wall, you can enjoy excellent natural scenery and learn about China history and military of ancient China. This article tells you about the top 10 sections of Great Wall of China and helps you choose the best section of Great Wall to visit.

Top 10 Great Wall Sections to Visit

1. Mutianyu – Most Popular for Families & First-Time Visitors

The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall winds between mountains with a high vegetation coverage. The walls and defense towers here are relatively well-preserved. There are also uniquely designed watchtowers, like Zhengguan Terrace and Big Corner Tower.

With less crowd, the Mutianyu Great Wall attracts many foreign tourists. If you tour with children and elderly people, the renovated Mutianyu Great Wall is the best section of the Great Wall of China to visit. Mutianyu Great Wall is relatively flat. You can take a cable car or chairlift to the Great Wall, which can save energy for exploring on the Great Wall. Toboggan slide can add fun to your Great Wall tour.

2. Jinshanling – Best for Scenic Hikes

Known as the essence of the Great Wall, Jinshanling becomes the best Great Wall section for fabulous views and photography. Jinshanling Great Wall is also very popular among hiking enthusiasts. Fewer tourists will allow you to explore the Great Wall's architecture more quietly, such as dense watchtowers and beacon towers. You can capture the sunset and the sea of clouds photos at the General Tower.

3. Simatai – Night Tours & Adventure

Standing on a range of undulating mountains, the Simatai Great Wall is known for its stunning night and precipitous terrain. Simatai Great Wall preserves its original appearance. Extremely steep terrain makes it more difficult to hike at the Simatai Great Wall. It is suggested to combine short hiking with the cable car. The unique night tour experience makes it the best part of Great Wall to visit from Beijing. You can appreciate the beauty of the adjacent Gubei Water Town.

4. Jiankou – Wild & Unrestored

Jiankou Great Wall is famous for its steep mountains and challenging slopes. It is completely original, without any artificial modification. You can feel the majesty of the Great Wall from the steep cliffs on both sides. If you pursue exciting adventures or want to challenge yourself, the Jiankou Great Wall is the best Great Wall of China section. For safety reasons, we only recommend experienced hikers, led by a tour guide with rich hiking experience.

5. Huanghuacheng – Lakeside Beauty

Huanghuacheng Great Wall is a lakeside Great Wall, great for camping. The Great Wall in the water is a unique scenery of the Huanghuacheng Great Wall, due to parts of the wall being soaked in water. It is the best place to visit Great Wall for its breathtaking lake scenery with grand Great Wall. The slopes of the Huanghuacheng Great Wall are relatively gentle and suitable for hiking. Visitors can take a boat trip on Haoming Lake and visit the Ming Dynasty Chestnut Garden with ancient chestnut trees.

6. Juyongguan – Closest to Beijing

With a history of over a thousand years, the Juyongguan Great Wall features its majestic architecture, dangerous terrain, and historical and cultural heritage. The well-designed fortress protected ancient Beijing.

If you want to immerse yourself in the history of the Great Wall, Juyongguan is one of the best places to visit the Great Wall of China. You can visit temples and ancient buildings at Juyongguan Great Wall. With less crowd, the Juyongguan Great Wall provides a relatively quiet environment. You can enjoy panoramic vistas of the Great Wall and surrounding mountains at Cloud Platform.

7. Gubeikou – Battle-Scarred & Authentic

Gubeikou Great Wall is wild and unrestored. It is said that the Gubeikou Great Wall has over 130 battles here. You can still get a glimpse of the Great Wall's former glory from the historical relics of the Gubeikou Great Wall. An experienced guide is suggested when you visit the Gubeikou Great Wall. The hiking route from the Gubeikou Great Wall to the Jinshanling Great Wall offers magnificent scenery and dense towers exploration.

8. Badaling – Iconic but Crowded

Badaling Great Wall is best preserved with a high degree of restoration. It is the most popular among Chinese tourists and the most crowded Great Wall of China Beijing section. The red leaves of the Badaling Great Wall in autumn are especially spectacular. You can learn more about the Great Wall at China Great Wall Museum. The south section of Badaling Great Wall has less crowd than north section. Badaling Great Wall offers complete facilities, like cable cars, pulleys, handrails, and elderly and disabled-friendly facilities.

9. Shanhaiguan – "First Pass Under Heaven"

Shanhaiguan Great Wall is the easternmost starting point of the Great Wall of China, extending to the sea. It is the best Great Wall section to appreciate the views of the spectacular Great Wall and the vast sea. In addition to the complete wall, you can also discover the ancient town, temples, and Shanhaiguan Great Wall Museum, where you can immerse yourself in the culture and history of the Great Wall of China.

10. Jiayuguan – Western Desert Frontier

Jiayuguan Great Wall is the westernmost point of the Ming Dynasty's Great Wall, winding through the endless desert. Jiayuguan has a strategic location and magnificent architecture, making it an important military fortress on the ancient Great Wall sections. Jiayu Pass is the main point of the ancient Silk Road and the intersection of the culture of the Great Wall and the Silk Road. You can dive into countless stories of trade caravans in history at Jiayuguan Great Wall.

How to Choose the Best Great Wall Section for You

When you choose where to visit the Great Wall of China, you need to consider the following factors: fitness level, time, interests (scenic, history, hiking), and crowd tolerance.

Families: Mutianyu, Huanghuacheng

Mutianyu Great Wall has a cable car that can go up and down. The gentle terrain is suitable for people of all ages, including children and seniors. Besides the unbeatable Great Wall, the relatively flat Huanghuacheng Great Wall also has the unique landscape of the Great Wall in Water and lake views to meet a variety of needs.

Hikers: Jinshanling, Jiankou

Jinshanling and Jiankou Great Wall both are popular sections of the Great Wall of China among hikers. Jinshanling Great Wall offers cable cars, which make it suitable for hikers of all levels and ages. If you are physically strong, you can also hike the entire Jinshanling Great Wall. The wild and precipitous Jiankou Great Wall is more dangerous, and more suitable for experienced hikers and adventure lovers.

Photographers: Jinshanling (sunset), Simatai (night)

Jinshanling Great Wall is considered to be the most beautiful section of the Great Wall of China, especially when the sun goes down. The night view at Simatai Great Wall is a remarkable sight.

Best Time to Visit Great Wall of China

The best times to visit Great Wall are Spring and Autumn.

Spring (March - May): In spring, vegetation on the Great Wall begins to grow. Wildflowers in full bloom add vitality to the Great Wall. Spring provides mild weather for hiking and sightseeing. You can enjoy the majestic and spectacular Great Wall in a comfortable environment. Spring is the peak season for tourism, and there are more tourists on the Great Wall. There are not many people at the Great Wall in the early morning.

Autumn (September - November): In autumn, the Great Wall is decorated with colorful autumn leaves, creating a picturesque scene. The combination of fall foliage and clear skies makes for excellent photography. The cool and sunny weather and crisp air provide a comfortable experience. There is less crowd in autumn.

Summer (June - August): Summer is the best time to appreciate the vibrant lush forests around the Great Wall, but it is hot and rainy. Hot sunny days are not ideal for long outdoor hikes. Rainy weather may affect your hiking plan. The summer holiday for Chinese students (July - August) will make your tour of the Great Wall even more crowded. Visit in the early morning or at dusk to avoid high temperatures and peak crowds.

Winter (December - February): Winter at the Great Wall is very cold and dry, with temperatures usually below zero. The Great Wall is mostly built in mountainous areas with strong winds and lower temperatures than in urban areas. Steps and slopes on the Great Wall can become slippery due to snow or ice. The toboggan and cable car at Mutianyu may be closed because of severe weather. However, the Great Wall clad in silvery white after snow will be a special experience. If planning to visit the Great Wall of China sections in winter, adequate preparation and warmth measures are necessary.

Practical Tips for Visiting the Great Wall of China

Transport: You can get to Beijing Great Wall sections easily via bus/taxi/private car/private tour. To get a more flexible and enjoyable experience, you can take part in a Great Wall private tour with Hi Five Trip.

Tickets: Book online to avoid queues. The Great Wall is one of the most popular destinations in China which always attracts a lot of tourists.

Safety: Wear sturdy shoes for wild sections like Jiankou. Avoid areas that are off the beaten track and unmarked. Remember to bring water and food. It's important to stay hydrated while hiking on the Great Wall. Mind your steps to avoid tripping or falling. Don't take pictures while walking.

FAQs about Visiting the Great Wall of China

1. How many sections are in the Great Wall of China?
There are 8 sections of the Great Wall in Beijing. However, it is difficult to calculate exactly how many sections of the Great Wall there are in all.

2. Is it safe to hike Great Wall of China?
Well-maintained sections are safe, but you still need to stay aware of loose stones. Visiting the wild Great Wall alone is not safe enough because you may get lost.

3. What should I wear?
Bring weather-appropriate gear, like waterproofs, hats, and sunglasses, which can protect you from the strong sunlight. Umbrellas are not very convenient due to steep stairs. You also need antiskid shoes or hiking boots because you will walk a lot of steps, especially when you are hiking on the Great Wall. Comfortable and right clothes: Warm jacket in cool weather and fast-drying T-shirts in Summer.

4. How long is the Great Wall including all sections?
The length of the Great Wall is 21,196.18 km (13,170.70 miles) in total, which is half the equator.

Explore the Great Wall with Hi Five Trip

If you want to plan an unforgettable Great Wall tour, please contact us for help. We can customize your personalized private Great Wall tour based on your interests and needs.