The feeling of awe that comes when you first view the Great Wall of China is beyond words. This epic ancient man-made wonder, which is so enormous and so mind-blowing, should be on everyone’s must-see list. However, planning your first trip to the Great Wall of China (even a second time) can be very daunting and confusing, as it is about 21,196 kilometers (13,171 miles) long, and is located in several provinces and cities of China.
So, not sure where to start? No worries. Here’s an ultimate guide with everything you need to know on how to visit the Great Wall of China, including the best parts to visit (with kids or active friends), when to go, where to eat and stay, how to get there, and what to pack.
Where to Visit - Choosing the Best Sections
Before you pack your bags and make a visit to the Great Wall of China, decide where to go, which means the best sections for you and your travel companions.
For international travellers, the Great Wall around Beijing, the capital of China and one of the most popular entry cities, is the most recommended. There are restored Great Walls as well as wild Great Walls, those suitable for sightseeing with cable cars, those suitable for hiking, and those suitable for photography. The information about each section of the Great Wall in the table below will help you decide which section to visit and how to visit the Great Wall of China from Beijing.
Great Wall of China: Key Sections Compared
Section Distance/Time from Beijing Scenery & Photography ???? Physical Demand ???? Tourist Crowds ???? Type Ticket Price Best For Mutianyu 70 km / 1.5 hrs ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐☆ Restored ¥40 First-time international visitors, Families, casual hikers, foreign tourists Badaling 75 km / 1.5 hrs ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Restored ¥40 Domestic tourists, tour groups, seniors Jinshanling 130 km / 2.5 hrs ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐ Partially restored ¥65 (¥65 in off season) Photographers, serious hikers, less-crowded experience Simatai 120 km / 2.5 hrs ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐ Wild / Partially restored ¥40 Adventurers, night hikers, culture-lovers (near Gubei Water Town) Jiankou 90 km / 2 hrs ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐ Wild Free (unofficial access) Hardcore hikers, thrill-seekers, experienced photographers
If Visiting the Great Wall of China with Kids
Our most recommended section of the Great Wall for international travelers, especially families with children, is Mutianyu. Opened to the public as a scenic spot since 1988, the beacons and steps are in good repair, and the paths are smooth and suitable for children and the elderly. It is equipped with clean bathrooms and is much less crowded than Badaling, making the Great Wall visit a much better experience. There is also a cable car for easy access up and down the mountain. Moreover, your kids will love the Mutianyu Great Wall toboggan.
Plan to Hike the Great Wall of China?
For those who love hiking, the best recommended section of the Great Wall is the half-restored, half-wild Jinshanling Great Wall. It is less crowded with tourists, has beautiful scenery, undulating terrain, and steps of varying degrees of preservation. There are complete hiking routes with moderate challenges, making it ideal for longer Great Wall hikes. A favourite among professional photographers and hikers, Jinshanling Great Wall hiking offers a more immersive experience of the Wall's history and natural features.
Suggested hiking route: Hike from Jinshanling to Simatai, about 6-10 kilometres, takes 3-4 hours.
If you are looking for something a little wilder and more difficult, you can also consider the Jiankou Great Wall. But it is a completely unrestored wild wall. Experienced hikers are recommended to hike it with a local guide.
Recommended Sections for Great Wall Photography
The Jinshanling Great Wall is considered to be the most beautiful and photogenic section. Capture the curve of the wall in the morning mist after sunrise. In addition, the Zhenbei Building of the Jiankou Great Wall is especially suitable for photographing the sunset over the wall. And Simatai is the only Great Wall open at night, where you can take photos of the Great Wall dotted with lights and the Great Wall under the stars.
Accessible Great Wall Sections for Wheelchair Users
Currently, in Beijing, the most wheelchair-friendly section of the Great Wall is Badaling. There are specially designed wheelchair accessible ramps along the southern route of Badaling, which allow wheelchair users to go all the way from the car park to the entrance of the Great Wall. With the assistance of staff, wheelchair users can also use lifts and accessible cable cars to reach higher platforms. In addition, Badaling is well equipped with accessible toilets, handrails, and other facilities.
Mutianyu Great Wall has a cable car for wheelchair users to reach Watchtower 14, but accessibility is limited.
The Best Sections for Camping
Strictly speaking, camping on the Great Wall is restricted, but it is possible. The less crowded, semi-restored Jinshanling Great Wall and the original Simatai Great Wall are the best choices for camping on the Great Wall. Many people secretly camp on the Wild Great Wall, which is not recommended for tourists because the scenery is superb, but the danger is high and prohibited by the local government.
When to Visit - The Best Time to Visit the Great Wall of China
It is really important to choose the right season and time to visit the Great Wall. Autumn (September-October) is the best time to visit the Great Wall, both for photography and hiking. However, because it is the peak season, there will be more tourists. Spring (April-May) is also a good time of year to visit the Great Wall, with fresh air and mountain flowers, but occasional dusty weather.
What is the best time of day to visit? It is recommended to arrive at the scenic spot from 7:30 am to 10:00 am. If you want to watch the sunset and take a night tour, it is recommended to arrive at 4 to 5 pm.
Where to Eat and Stay - Restaurants & Hotels Near/in the Great Wall
As the Great Wall is an outdoor monument, instead of an urban commercial area, there are only some good restaurants near the main Great Wall sections in Beijing. Near Mutianyu, there are western restaurants such as The Schoolhouse.
In Badaling and Gubei Water Town, there are roast duck restaurants such as Quanjude. Commune by the Great Wall Ubc near Badaling offers Western and local Beijing dishes. If you want dumplings, it's easy! Almost all of the farmhouses near the Great Wall offer homemade dumplings.
How to Get to the Wall
Please check the table below for the various transport options you can use to visit the Great Wall of China from Beijing:
Great Wall Section Transportation Options Public Transport Friendly? Badaling High-speed train (Beijing North ➝ Badaling) Bus 877 (Deshengmen ➝ Badaling) Private car/taxi ✅ Yes Mutianyu Private car/taxi Take 916 Express → Huairou Beidajie Station, transfer to H23/H24 to Mutianyu Mutianyu Express Bus ✅ Yes Jinshanling Private car/taxi Take the Jinshanling special bus from Wangjing West Station in Beijing. ✅ Yes Simatai + Gubei Water Town Official tourist bus (Dongzhimen ➝ Gubei) Private car/taxi ✅ Yes Jiankou Private car/taxi Take 916 Express at Dongzhimen → Huairou Beidajie Station, rent a car to Xijizi Village ❌ No
What to Bring - Top 10 Essentials
For those planning to visit the Great Wall of China, especially first-timers, the following is a list of recommended essentials to pack before you go.
1. Comfortable walking shoes or hiking shoes, as the Great Wall is steep and there is a lot of walking
2. A water bottle or bottled water, as there are few shops on the Wall
3. Snacks, which can be used to replenish energy, especially for children
4. Sun protection, such as a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses for outdoor activities on the Wall
5. Seasonal clothing
6. A camera or a mobile phone to capture the beauty of the scenery and the good times
7. Cash or mobile phone payment apps - WeChat and Alipay are currently the most used in China
8. Basic first aid supplies, such as band-aids, bandages, etc.
9. Tissues - essential - yet sometimes not available in toilets
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