Visiting the Great Wall of China with Kids: Best Sections, Fun Activities & Travel Tips

The Great Wall of China is an ancient military defence initially built in the prehistoric era (circa 700 BC), a remarkable world heritage site, and one of the seven wonders of the world. It gave us all a chance to learn the history of China and stretch our legs by walking from one beacon tower to another. The kids could marvel at the longest man-made structure on Earth, while burning off a lot of energy, and also get to have a closer look at nature's beauty. Perfect.

Visiting the Great Wall of China with kids, the whole family can learn, explore, and have fun. Our article offers a range of fun Great Wall of China facts for kids to enthuse, plus top things to do on the best section of the Great Wall to delight your child.

Why Visit the Great Wall of China with Kids

Education on History

With a history of 2,700 years, the Great Wall of China is one of the most prominent historical sites in the world. As the first Chinese heritage site to be selected by UNESCO, the Great Wall will help your children develop a sense of “global citizenship” and an understanding of the universal values of cultural heritage.

For international visitors to the Great Wall of China, when your child touches the bricks of the Wall, he or she will be able to compare and contrast the architectural differences between European castles/Roman walls, and intuitively understand the difference between Eastern and Western defence systems.

Parents and children will also be able to recall the numerous battles that took place on the Great Wall of China during the Cold War era. Hear about the exploits of many historical figures, as well as interesting back stories and legends.

Nature Encounters

The Great Wall winds its way through the mountains, lakes, and deserts of northern China. Visiting the Great Wall in Beijing with your children will allow you to enjoy the landscape of northern China in different seasons.

Endless Family Fun

The steep steps at Mutianyu, the suspension bridge at Simatai, or the Wild Wall at Jinshanling are suitable for children of all ages.

Wishing to visit the Great Wall of China more easily? It is recommended that your family choose a section with a cable car/zip line/toboggan, with some hiking/walking experience. In addition, picnics on the Great Wall, watching the sunset/sunrise, and camping will bring unique and unforgettable family holiday memories.

Fun Facts about the Great Wall of China for Kids

1. Do you think the Great Wall is like a line of building blocks? Wrong! It's actually a superb defence system consisting of walls, passes, beacon towers, and castles. Think of it like a giant dragon coiled up in the mountains. If you add all the sections, the total length of the Great Wall could circle the earth half a time!

2. When the Great Wall was built in the Ming Dynasty, craftsmen used glutinous rice soup and lime to make “ancient cement”. It's so sticky, it can't even be shaken by an earthquake.

3. Children, look carefully at the bricks, some of which are engraved with the name of the craftsman. Why? Because if a brick broke, the person who made it was held responsible.

4. In ancient times, when there were no mobile phones, soldiers on the Great Wall used smoke (during the day) and fire (at night) to communicate military information. 2 puffs of smoke meant few enemies, and 4 puffs of smoke meant many enemies.

5. Can you really see the Great Wall from space? The astronauts say: No. It's like looking at a hair from an aeroplane. Because it's like looking at a strand of hair from an aeroplane. But don't be disappointed - the Great Wall has been photographed lit up by satellites at night.

6. Many of the Wild Walls became home to foxes, squirrels, owls, and other wildlife. Birds' nests can be found in some enemy buildings.

7. You'll find it interesting to know that if all the bricks used to build the Great Wall were lined up in a 1-metre-high wall, it would go around the equator three and a half times!

Best Sections of the Great Wall of China to Visit with Kids

The fully-restored Mutianyu Great Wall is a popular choice for international tourists, especially those with children. It is recommended to take the cable car straight to Enemy Tower #14 at the top of the mountain to avoid climbing steep slopes.

Parents and kids can look for the Beacon Tower and the graffiti wall in the western section (you may leave a message in the legal area). Look for the double-sided palisades at Enemy Tower #6, learning the design secret of being able to shoot arrows inside and out.

For the descent, take the Mutianyu Great Wall Toboggan, a Kid’s favourite and a great way to save energy.

The Jinshanling Great Wall has deep archaeological value as the best preserved section of the Ming Great Wall. Some of the remnants of the wall can be safely explored. Parents can guide their children to observe the writing bricks on the wall and look for numbers - the numbering code of the Ming craftsmen.

The Simatai section is the only ancient architectural monument in China that has retained its original form from the Ming Dynasty, making it a true “original Great Wall”.

For visiting the Great Wall of China with kids, we recommend taking the cable car up to the Simatai Wall at night, where lights and a river of stars fall over the ancient ruins. Explain to your kids why the walls were deliberately built crooked - to fit the steep mountain terrain.

Gubei Water Town at the foot of the mountain city has a children's playground, hot springs, and dozens of restaurants.

Interesting Child-friendly Activities to Enjoy at the Great Wall

There's a lot to enjoy for kids and adults alike at the Great Wall of China.

Take the Mutianyu Great Wall Toboggan down

Tired of walking? Take the 1,580-metre-long Toboggan down and listen to the story of how the materials for the Great Wall were transported along the way. The construction of the Great Wall was not only a miracle of military defence, but also the pinnacle of ancient engineering and transport. How did craftsmen and labourers transport boulders, bricks, lime, and other materials to the top of the mountain in the days when there was no machinery? We can learn as we play.

Hiking and Camping on the Great Wall

Below, we recommend several safe, kid-friendly Great Wall hiking routes that combine fun and a cultural experience.

Mutianyu Great Wall: Take the cable car straight to the 14th enemy tower, and then you can easily walk to the 6th enemy tower. It is about 1.5 kilometers long.

Jinshanling Great Wall: Hike from East Five-Eye Tower to Little Jinshan Tower. It is about 3 kilometers.

For families that want to camp on the Great Wall, we recommend either the Gubeikou or Jinshanling Great Wall.

Enjoy the Sun Rises/Sets on the Wall

Watching the sunrise/sunset with your kids at the Great Wall will be a lifetime experience. But which sections are the best? The Mutianyu Great Wall is the easiest to reach. The view from the Little Jinshan Building on the Jinshanling Great Wall is the most stunning. Wangjing Tower at Simatai Great Wall, at 986 metres above sea level, is more suitable for older children. While enjoying the sunrise/sunset view, you can also enjoy a unique picnic. Don't forget to take family photos!

Simatai Great Wall Night Tour

In addition to overlooking the night view of Gubei Water Town from Simatai Great Wall, you can also rent a Hanfu dress at the scenic spot and visit Simatai by night with a lamp. Listen to the night sounds of the Great Wall, such as owls hooting.

Travel Tips for Families Visiting the Great Wall

Before You Go

1. It is recommended to let your children learn some knowledge and stories about the Great Wall to get them interested.

2. Choosing the right Great Wall - Mutianyu is recommended for international travellers with children.

3. Bring your and your child's passports with you, as you will need to exchange your tickets on site.

4. It is recommended to book a guided Great Wall of China tour so that a local guide will give your family an in-depth explanation of the history and stories of the Great Wall.

Best Time to Visit

Best time of the year to visit the Great Wall of China:
Spring (April and May) and fall (September and October)

Good time of day:
9:00 am-11:00 am: So you can avoid the hot midday sun, and the Child's physical strength is optimal.
After 2:00 pm. And it is recommended to choose the cable car to go up and down to save energy.

Safety Tips

1. If visiting the Great Wall of China with kids, choose well-restored sections such as Mutianyu and Badaling South. Avoid the wild Great Wall at Jiankou and Simatai.

2. Do not climb the crumbling walls.

3. Avoid hiking on rainy/snowy days.

4. Choose regular restaurants in scenic spots, and avoid street vendors.

5. Watch out for the steep and uneven stairs of the Great Wall.

Hi Five Trip is Your Best Choice for Visiting the Great Wall of China with Kids

For families looking for the best Great Wall of China tours, here we list some of the top-selling trip packages:

Whether you're travelling with toddlers or older children to the Great Wall, our experts can customize a China tour bespoke to your family.