great wall of china tour video

Walk the Great Wall

A 2,000 year and 20,000km trip from your home, in collaboration with, 10 things about the great wall, the largest man-made structure in the world, for the first time in 360°, travel to the great wall from anywhere, walk the great wall now, a sneak peak of the 20,000km wonder at your fingertips, built and rebuilt over 2,000 years, learn about the history with an expert, how was the great wall built, the construction cost and the heros behind the project, when was the great wall built, dating back to 2000 years ago, from the sea to the desert, the three major passes from the east to the west of china, where the great wall starts from the sea, shanhai pass: east beginning of the great wall, where the great wall meets the desert, seeing beijing from the great wall, it's not just a wall, the architectural wonder explained in detail, the different walls, the unique designs adapted to various conditions, the integreated structures, get to know different types of towers, the interior architecture and functions, the architectural design inside the watchtowers, the traditional and modern techniques, the secrets behind the resistance of the great wall, decode the walls & bricks, discover the hidden secrets on the wall, the walls designed for defense, the special structure that makes the great wall strong, have you ever noticed the hidden signatures on the bricks, the signatures that convey important messages, what is the mysterious pattern carved on this wall, uncover kirin screen wall, look into the secret stamps, who left these marks on the bricks, 5 iconic beacon towers, each tower tells a story, the "turtle-shaped" tower, the tower built among the rocks shaped like turtles, "watching-the-capital" tower, the highest point of the section, fairy tower, the beautiful tower surrounded by a moving legend, general tower, the tower where the general commanded the battles, the "white tower", the tower that survived erosion, hike the steep ridges, the charming view in simatai, the heavenly ladder, the steep path for the brave ones, the sky bridge, the narrow bridge connecting the two highest towers, the simatai pass, the entrance to the simatai section, the great wall "in the air", the most dangerous part, 7 hidden gems along the 20,000km, ready for a backpacking trip, where the great wall dips underwater, the only section ever built over water, nine-gate water great wall, one of the “three inner passes”, zijing pass, a strategic pass along the outer great wall, the three important passes in the gobi desert, the gate connecting ancient central asia with east asia, yumen pass: the jade gate, the westernmost pass in ancient times, yangguan pass: sun gate, an adventure of 20,000 km.

From the East to West, hike the entire wall like a hero

The grand mountain passes

Discover the strongest fortifications of the great wall, the fortress protecting the capital, juyong pass, the north entrance, huangya pass, the ancient military stronghold with unique design, yanmen pass, where the highest point of the great wall is located, zhangjiakou pass, the princess and the great wall, learn more about the legend, the princess and her army, ladies’ pass (niangzi pass), colors of the four seasons, explore the beauty of the great wall through colors, keep hiking..., street views.

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Take a Virtual Hike on the Great Wall of China From the Comfort of Your Couch (Video)

You don't even need shoes for this digital hike.

The coronavirus has the world at a standstill.

Since news broke of the new virus that causes flu-like symptoms as well as pneumonia just a few months ago, nations around the globe have taken extreme (and needed) measures to control its spread. That included the closing of borders in Italy, Spain, France, and more, but also the closure of schools, restaurants, bars, events, and even Disney Parks around the world.

However, this doesn’t mean you need to stop enjoying the world around you. All you need to do is travel virtually instead.

Museums and cultural centers are coming together to help fill our at-home entertainment needs, and now, The China Guide is offering intrepid internet travelers the chance to take a virtual hike on the Great Wall of China .

“As China's most famous attraction, the Great Wall of China is an essential stop on any trip to China,” The China Guide wrote. “Commonly considered a wonder of the world, the Great Wall boasts a history of over 2,000 years and stretches more than 3,000 miles across several provinces of northern China, making it one of the most impressive ancient structures on the planet.”

The virtual hike allows visitors to explore the part of the wall from Jinshanling to Simatai, a 6.5-mile stretch that also provides guests with some of the best views of the wall. That is because this region is well-known for having some of the most well-preserved sections with original features still intact.

However, the website also provides far more information than just the virtual tour. Take the journey with your kids, learn a few facts, then, if you’re feeling inspired, start planning a journey there for yourself when the time comes. After all, this is a great time to start a vacation fund and put in whatever you can each day as a family. That way, when it’s time, you’ll have some extra cash on hand to use to travel, dine in your favorite restaurants, and see the world for all its beauty once again.

Google’s latest virtual tour lets you walk the Great Wall of China

Google’s Arts & Culture team is today launching a new online experience that lets users virtually walk the Great Wall of China. The “Walk the Great Wall of China” experience includes an exclusive 360-degree virtual tour of one of the wall’s best-preserved sections, including 370 images of the Great Wall in total and 35 stories that go into architectural details about the landmark.

“As the largest man-made structure in the world, the Great Wall of China is one of the most iconic and popular heritage sites anywhere. Over 10 million people visit each year—but not everyone has the opportunity to see the Great Wall first-hand,” Pierre Caessa, Google Arts & Cultures program manager, said in a blog post . “​​Today, in collaboration with renowned Great Wall expert Dong Yaohui and curators from Gubei Water Town, Google Arts & Culture presents a new theme page enabling people to visit the Great Wall virtually.”

The experience gives users the chance to learn more about the Great Wall’s history and experience parts of it that might be otherwise hard to access. It also aims to give users a better understanding of how the Great Wall is being preserved for future generations.

The virtual experience includes a panoramic view of the wall, along with 360-degree views of the watchtower and different sections of the wall. Users can also learn more about how and when the Great Wall was built.

For those who want to delve even deeper into the history of the Great Wall, you can decode the walls and bricks along the wall. For instance, you can get a closer look at hidden signatures, stamps and mysterious patterns carved on the bricks.

Google has launched numerous 360-degree virtual tours over the past few years and continues to leverage the technology. Back in 2016, the search giant rolled out a virtual experience that allowed users to explore U.S. national parks . Since then, the company has launched similar virtual tours but has also looked at using virtual reality in different ways. For instance, Google launched a virtual reality art gallery in 2017 and also released a “Tour Creator” tool in 2018 to let students create their own VR tours.

To try out the new experience yourself, you can visit the website “ Walk the Great Wall of China,” or download the Google Arts & Culture app for Android  or  iOS .

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Great Wall of China

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As China's most famous attraction, the Great Wall of China is an essential stop on all China tours . Commonly considered a wonder of the world, the Great Wall boasts a history of over 2,000 years and stretches more than 3,000 miles across several provinces of northern China, making it one of the most impressive ancient structures on the planet.

Virtual Tour of the Great Wall of China

Want to visit the great wall of china spontaneously with a professional live guide learn more about our guided virtual tour here, best sections to visit.

Beijing is usually considered the main gateway to the Great Wall, since there are several world-famous sections of the Wall in the suburbs of Beijing, including Badaling, Mutianyu, Jinshanling, Juyongguan, Gubeikou, and Jiankou. These sections were built during the Ming dynasty between the 14th and 17th centuries and have been well preserved.

Of all the sections of the Great Wall near Beijing, Badaling is the most famous one. As a result, Badaling is the destination of choice for many large tour groups and is often very crowded. The nearby Juyongguan Great Wall features one of the three great mountain passes of the Great Wall but is almost as crowded as Badaling.

Mutianyu Great Wall is just as close as Badaling and offers wonderful views of the Great Wall and the surrounding hills with far fewer tourists. This section of the Wall also features a thrilling toboggan run that you can ride from the top of the Wall down to the bottom of the hill.

Due to their proximity, Badaling, Juyongguan, and Mutianyu are all doable as a half-day trip from downtown Beijing. We usually recommend Mutianyu over Badaling or Juyongguan , since the massive crowds at the latter two sections can ruin one's experience of this impressive structure.

Further away from Beijing, Jinshanling Great Wall is about 150 km northeast of downtown and it usually takes about two and a half hours to drive there. Despite the longer drive, Jinshanling is among the most stunning sections of the Great Wall. If your itinerary allows for one full day seeing the Great Wall, then we highly recommend a tour to Jinshanling.

Gubeikou and Jiankou can also be visited within a day tour from Beijing . Both sections have not been restored since they were first built in the Ming Dynasty, making them ideal choices for those who want to hike and experience the wild Great Wall. Do be aware that the Jiankou section features very steep and dangerous climbs and is only suitable for experienced hikers.

There are also some other famous sections of the Great Wall within or outside Beijing, such as Huanghuacheng, Simatai, and Shanhaiguan, but we only recommend these if you are visiting the Great Wall for a second time or planning a multi-day, in-depth Great Wall tour.

Great Wall Hiking and Camping

Due to its original purpose as a military defense, almost all sections of Great Wall were built on mountain ranges and thus involve some challenging climbs and uneven stairs, including the well-restored sections. If you are visiting a restored section but hike to the end of the renovated part, you will be able to see the unrestored part of the Great Wall.

For most visitors, Mutianyu and Jinshanling offer good, medium difficulty hikes, while still being very safe. For those looking for a serious hike along wild, unrestored portions of the Wall, we suggest the Jinshanling to Jinshanling East , or Gubeikou to Jinshanling routes. All these routes boast both unrestored and picturesque renovated sections of the Wall. However, please be aware that hikes along wild, unrestored parts of the Great Wall involve many steep climbs and loose bricks, and can be very dangerous in some places. (People can no longer hike through from Jinshanling to Simatai since the route was closed years ago.)

Camping on the Great Wall is usually banned, especially on the renovated sections. If you want to spend a night sleeping on the Great Wall , we can take you to a watchtower on the Gubeikou section of the Great Wall to experience the life of an ancient soldier and catch amazing sunrise/sunset views over the Wall.

Best Time to Visit

For all sections of the Great Wall near Beijing, the spring months (April to June) offer temperate weather and are great for climbing. In late April to early May, many trees begin to blossom, making this a particularly beautiful period to visit the Wall. Fall is also a nice time to visit, as temperatures are usually comfortable. October to early November are particularly picturesque, as the tree leaves on the mountains begin to change color. The winter months, from December to February, are cold and can be windy, but there are usually far fewer tourists on the Wall during these months. July and August are hot and humid, and thus not the best for long hikes. In addition, it's best to avoid hiking on the Wall after rain or snowfall because some parts can get very slippery.

You should also avoid visiting the popular sections, such as Badaling, Juyongguan, and Mutianyu, around National Day (the first week in October) and Spring Festival. August is also a busy time for the Badaling and Juyongguan sections, since students are on summer vacation and many families travel to these famous sections with their kids before the new school year starts. Learn more about how to avoid the crowds when traveling in China .

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Great Wall of China

A Complete Guide to Visiting the Great Wall of China

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• How to Visit

Huanghuacheng

Jinshanling, tour or solo, how long to spend, where to stay.

The Great Wall of China stretches 13,000 miles over mountains, forests, reservoirs, and desert. It took a millennium to build, involved multiple dynasties, and pissed off a lot of Huns. Inextricably tied to the history of the country, to visit China without seeing it would cause you to be remiss not only with your friends and family at your homecoming, but somehow within yourself as well. To stand on its ramparts gives one simultaneously a sense of experiencing something collectively epic and individually infinitesimal.

Before you visit, decide if you want to go to an unrestored section, wild section or both. (“Wild” is a popular way to refer to the unrestored sections of the wall.) Consider physical ability and whom you’re traveling with (old people, kids, your sister who hates walking) when choosing a section. 

This will be a workout. It’s not strolling on an elevated side walk. The Great Wall is stone waves steep and undulating. Grab your hiking boots and prepare for the walk of a lifetime.

How to Visit the Great Wall

Most visitors go to the Great Wall as part of a half or full day trip from Beijing. Visitors can choose from over 12 well-known sections and access them through a group tour, private driver, private tour, public transportation (sometimes combined with taxis), or by driving their own car. While the travel time from Beijing varies depending on section and traffic, it can take anywhere from one to three hours to get to there.

Worthwhile sections to visit in other provinces are the famous packed-earth Jiayuguan section in Jiayuguan, Gansu Province. It's a mere 4 miles (6 kilometers) from the city and easily accessible by public transport or a short taxi ride. Also, Ningxia Province’s Sanguankou section with its three passes is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from the province's capital city of Yinchuan. It can be reached by hiring a private car.

If you want to hire a tour operator for a section near Beijing, Beijing Wonder Tour has affordable rates and English-speaking guides. Beijing Hiker’s offers hiking tours to the wild wall. If you want to hire a private car with an English-speaking driver but explore the wall on your own, you can choose from a number of options here . If you want to hire your own car, Hertz rents cars from the Beijing airport.

Best Parts of the Great Wall

The Great Wall spans nine provinces. The sections most commonly recommended are all close to Beijing. However, for less touristy and wilder parts of the wall, you can head to Gansu, Ningxia, or several other provinces less frequented by visitors. All of the ones listed below can be accessed from Beijing.

Popular among foreign tourists and easily accessible from Beijing, Mutianyu offers a well-restored wall with 23 watchtowers, replete with photo ops and views of the surrounding mountains and forests. You can hike, take a chair lift or cable car to the top, and toboggan down. It takes about two hours to walk the 1.4 miles of this section. If you go beyond tower 23, the wall is not restored, has no guardrails, and tourists are responsible for their own safety.

To get there hire a private driver or take the subway to Dongzhimen station. Walk upstairs to the North Bound Platform. Take the Express Bus 916 towards Huairou. After about an hour, get off at the Beidajie stop. Take bus H23 to Mutainyu or share a car with other tourists going there. Travel time is two to two and a half hours.

Simatai's main draw is night tours. Though Badaling is also open at night, Simatai has more ambient lighting and fewer crowds. You can take the cable car up and walk this 3-mile section for about one and half to two hours. Be aware that its grade increases rapidly (from 968 to 3,235 feet) and is super steep. The Simatai wall cuts through the Simatai Reservoir, and those who want to can zipline over it. For the day hikers, Heavenly Ladder and Sky Bridge are two extremely narrow and high parts of the wall with incredible views of mountain ridges.

To get there hire a private driver, or hop on the Airport Express subway line to Dongzhimen station. Take Bus 980 from Dongzhimen Long Distance Bus Station to Miyun Town and then take a taxi.

This section's surrounding countryside boasts a sea of yellow flowers in spring and summer. Other distinguishing features of Huanghuacheng include: boat rides on Haoming Lake, and fewer crowds than Mutianyu and Badaling. It can also be combined with Mutianyu for a day trip, as the two sections are only a 40-minute drive apart.

To get there hire a private car, or take the 916 bus or 916 express bus to Dongzhimen to Huairou Bus Station. Hop on the H21 bus to the Small West Lake (Lakeside Great Wall) Station, and walk north to the scenic area. By public transport, it will take at least two hours from central Beijing.

For those who can’t decide if they want to see a restored or wild section of wall, Jinshanling offers a beautiful mixture of both. Ideal for hikers, this section stretches 6.5 miles, runs along the Jinshanling Mountains, contains 67 watchtowers, five mountain passes, and very few tourists. If you hike in this section by itself, plan for two to five hours. You can also hike from this section to other sections, such as Simatai or Gubeikou.

To get there, hire a private driver or take the subway to Wangjing West Station. Hop on the bus to Luanping, and get off at Jinshanling Service Area. This bus will take about two hours to get to Jinshanling Service Area. Once you alight, you can take a free shuttle to the wall.

If you want to see the section of the wall closest to Beijing and can handle huge crowds, this will be your option. Though super touristy, Badaling has amazingly restored wide walkways and guardrails for its steeper parts. Like the Mutianyu section, it offers a cable car and toboggan rides for those who want to save their energy and feet. Plan for one and a half hours to visit this section of the Wall and walk the 2.3 miles of its restored path. Check out the 19 watchtowers along the way and be prepared for tons of hawkers.

To get there hire a private driver or take the subway to Jishuitan station. Go out exit B2 and hop on the 877 bus, a direct bus with a travel time of about one and a half hours to get there.

Tips for Visiting the Great Wall

Use these tips to make the most of your visit.

You do not need to book a tour to the Great Wall, though it can eliminate the stress of trip planning and language barriers. If you are traveling solo or with one or two other adults, hiring a driver or using public transport will most likely be your best options.

If you are traveling in a large group or with children or with elderly family members, a tour or private driver will be your best options. Some tours will take you to a government sponsored tea house or jade museum during the trip. Know what you’re buying if you go the tour route, and look for tours that state they do not do commissioned stops.

Weather-wise, spring and fall are the best times to see the Great Wall. Spring will provide beautiful verdant greens (and yellow blossoms around Huanghuacheng). In the fall, the rolling forested hills on either side of the wall will be dappled with red, orange, and yellow leaves. However, the best time to go to avoid crowds is winter.

Wear layers. It gets windy and most of the sections are exposed. Even the watchtowers have giant open window frames. If you go in the summer, take a hat and sunscreen.

Spend at least three to four hours on the wall, this is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage site after all. Take some time to enjoy it. Sections can be steep (even if restored) and ascents slow. Stroll through the blockhouses and watch towers, sip water as you admire the surrounding hills, and zip down to the base in a toboggan (if you go to Badaling or Mutianyu).

If you want to experience the Great Wall early without leaving Beijing in the wee morning hours, consider staying at a hotel by the section you want to see. For Muitanyu, The Brickyard offers comfortable rooms, a restaurant, and a spa. Alternatively, if you want to go to the wall during the day, but also see it lit up at night, go to Simatai. Stay at Gubeishui Town Hotel and splurge on a luxury room with great views.

For intrepid explorers, it is possible to camp on the wall. However, you will need to do your own research and take all of your gear and provisions with you. There are no vendors in the wild sections. If you want to camp in a group tour, Great Wall Hiking offers what is sure to be a memorable experience of a night on the Great Wall.

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ENCYCLOPEDIC ENTRY

The great wall of china.

The Great Wall of China was built over centuries by China’s emperors to protect their territory. Today, it stretches for thousands of miles along China’s historic northern border.

Anthropology, Geography, Human Geography, Social Studies, Ancient Civilizations, World History

The Great Wall of China is one of the most notorious structures in the entire world. The Jinshanling section in Hebei Province, China, pictured here, is only a small part of the wall that stretches over 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles).

Photograph by Hung Chung Chih

The one thing most people “know” about the Great Wall of China—that it is one of the only man-made structures visible from space—is not actually true. Since the wall looks a lot like the stone and soil that surround it, it is difficult to discern with the human eye even from low Earth orbit, and is difficult to make out in most orbital photos . However, this does not detract from the wonder of this astounding ancient structure.

For millennia, Chinese leaders instituted wall-building projects to protect the land from northern, nomadic invaders. One surviving section of such an ancient wall, in the Shandong province, is made of hard-packed soil called “ rammed earth ” and is estimated to be 2,500 years old. For centuries during the Warring States Period, before China was unified into one nation, such walls defended the borders.

Around 220 B.C.E., Qin Shi Huang, also called the First Emperor , united China. He masterminded the process of uniting the existing walls into one. At that time, rammed earth and wood made up most of the wall. Emperor after emperor strengthened and extended the wall, often with the aim of keeping out the northern invaders. In some places, the wall was constructed of brick. Elsewhere, quarried granite or even marble blocks were used. The wall was continuously brought up to date as building techniques advanced.

Zhu Yuanzhang, who became the Hongwu Emperor , took power in 1368 C.E. He founded the Ming Dynasty , famous for its achievements in the arts of ceramics and painting. The Ming emperors improved the wall with watchtowers and platforms. Most of the familiar images of the wall show Ming-era construction in the stone. Depending on how the wall is measured, it stretches somewhere between 4,000 and 5,500 kilometers (2,500 and 3,400 miles).

In the 17th century, the Manchu emperors extended Chinese rule into Inner Mongolia, making the wall less important as a defense. However, it has retained its importance as a symbol of Chinese identity and culture . Countless visitors view the wall every year. It may not be clearly visible from space, but it is considered “an absolute masterpiece” here on Earth.

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Great Wall of China Tours & Trips

Assembled with materials ranging from earth to wood and stone, the Great Wall of China has been built over the course of several dynasties, with a major part lifted during the Ming Dynasty in the 14th-century. Closely located to Beijing, it is a must-see structure for all travellers.

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Great itinerary and travel between all the destinations was well managed and pain free. The accommodation was a lower standard as this is a lower budget tour but all of the locations allowed for easy access to the local attractions. All of the hotels/hostels were clean and air conditioned, we were more interested in the sights anyway! Our guide was the best and balanced knowledge with ensuring the group had fun, she was happy to change plans and arrange alternatives if any or all of the group wished to do different things. A really great group of people added up to a fantastic, memorable trip that I would happily recommend to anyone wanting the 'Real China' trip.

Well organised and the agent Emily was always available and supportive with requests before and during my trip, good hotels used, guides were friendly and knowledgable.

A perfect taste of China!

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Great Wall of China

• Location: north China, East Asia
• Total Length: 21,196.18 kilometers (13,170.70 miles), half of the length of the equator
• Length of Ming Great Wall: 8,851.8 kilometers (5,500.3 miles)
• West End: the First Fire Tower of the Great Wall, in Jiayuguan of Gansu
• East End: Hushan Great Wall, in Dandong of Liaoning
• Course & Coverage: 15 provinces and regions, roughly from east to west – Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Hebei, Beijing, Tianjin, Shandong, Henan, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Gansu, Qinghai, Xinjiang.

• First-time visitors to Beijing: Badaling, or Mutianyu
• Return visitors: Juyongguan, or Simatai (with Gubei Water Town)
• Experienced hikers: Jiankou (wild and dangerous)
• Best sections out of Beijing: Shanhaiguan in Hebei, Jiayuguan in Gansu, Zhenbeitai in Shaanxi

• Huanghuacheng
• Huangyaguan
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• best sections – badaling & mutianyu in beijing, • clothing & backpack, • how to plan a day tour to the great wall, book with us:.

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Great Wall Tourism Board | Updated Great Wall of China Travel Information

“He who has not climbed the Great Wall is not a true man!”, as what was said by China’s first Chairman Mao Zedong, the Great Wall should be on every traveler’s bucket list. This China’s greatest engineering triumph, made from brick, stone, tamped earth and wood, is a direct link with legendary dynasties of China’s past as there were continuous ancient dynasties invested unquantifiable labour and material resources to construct and reconstruct the Great Wall. Nowadays, you can still see there are more than 5,500 miles of the Great Wall snaking its way over the perched mountainsides from the gobi desert in northwestern China to the sea coast of far eastern China. Beijing, the capital city, possesses about 573km (356 miles) of the Great Wall including the world famous Badaling, Mutianyu, Jiankou, etc., stretching alone the steep peaks and hills at its remote northern districts. You can easily plan a satisfied day trip to the closer sections of the Great Wall from Beijing. But for those who want to explore, it’s available to hike, bike even camp on some sections. Contact China Discovery to tailor-make a Great Wall trip now!

Latest Notice on Great Wall Travel - Updated on May 25, 2023 :

The Beijing Great Wall Protection and Management Regulations clearly state that it is prohibited to organize tours or climb sections of the Great Wall that have not been approved for visitation. Violators may be subject to corresponding fines. The Jiankou Great Wall is an unopened section of the Great Wall, and climbing it can cause damage to the structure. This not only hinders the preservation of the Great Wall but also poses significant risks to the safety of visitors. Therefore, we urge everyone not to climb the Jiankou Great Wall. Tourists can visit and hike at well-developed sections of the Great Wall such as Mutianyu, Badaling, and Jinshanling instead.

• ① Where is the Great Wall of China Located?
• ② When was the Great Wall of China Built?
• ③ Who Built the Great Wall of China?
• ④ How Old is the Great Wall of China?
• ⑤ How Long is the Great Wall of China?
• ⑥ How Tall is the Great Wall of China?
• ⑦ How Big is the Great Wall of China?
• ⑧ How was the Great Wall of China Built?
• ⑨ Why was the Great Wall of China Built?
• ⑩ Can You See the Great Wall of China from Space?

Top 7 Most Popular Sections of Great Wall

Many people mistakenly assume that the Great Wall of China is a continuous entity. Actually, the Great Wall exists in chunks scattered with natural defenses, usually the precipitous mountains. According investigations, the Great Wall of China stretches through 16 provinces, cities and autonomous regions, such as Shandong, Henan, Hebei, Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, Liaoning, Ningxia, Beijing, Tianjin, Xinjiang, Heilongjiang, Qinghai, Jilin and Hubei, etc. Taking into location, landscape, transportation, tourist amenities into consideration, below 7 sections of Great Wall are most popular among tourists.

Which Section of Great Wall to Go

Generally speaking, Mutianyu is the best option if you travel with kids, or want to enjoy a leisure and scenic hike. If you are a hiker, choose 1 or 2 sections among Jinshanling, Simatai and Gubekou to hike 1 or 2 days. If you are the second-timer, maybe Huanghuacheng section will be very attractive to you. Its lakeside walls are very stunning. Read more about What Are the Best Sections of the Great Wall to Visit from Beijing?

Important Great Wall Travel Information & Tips

Below are the most important and useful articles with information and tips to help you plan your Great Wall trip easier. Fee free to contact us if you have any question about the Great Wall.

Great Wall Trip Planning

We have complied this Great Wall of China Ultimate Guide which have synthesized the most useful insights and tips from our Great Wall researcher and Beijing local tour guide to help you plan the perfect Great Wall adventure.

Great Wall Hiking

Our travel experts’ handpicked top Great Wall Hiking tour packages which take you to explore the best sections of Great Wall, such as Mutianyu, Huanghuacheng, Jiankou, Jinshanling, Simatai, etc.

Best Time to Visit

The Great Wall is theoretically suitable to visit all year round. But considering most people would prefer a trip on beautiful days with fewer crowds, the best time is spring and autumn, especially in April, May, September, and November.

Great Wall Restaurants

There is no restaurant on the Great Wall, but some sections of Great Wall, such as Mutianyu, Jinshanling, Badaling, provide restaurants which are usually located at the feet of the Great Wall.

How to Get to & Around Great Wall of China

The location of each section of Great Wall varies greatly so is the available transportation. Some sections, which are closer to Beijing, can be reached easily, such as Badaling, Mutianyu, Juyongguan and Huanghuacheng. These sections of Great Wall provide flexible choices of transportation, including private car, train, tourist bus and public buses. Some sections of Great Wall are much further away from Chengdu, including Jinshanling, Simatai, Gubekou. Travellers can only get there by private car or public buses (usually takes much longer, and need to change bus for several times). To know more transportation information of Great Wall, please check how to get to & around Great Wall !

• How to Get to Mutianyu Great Wall

- Location : Bohai Town, Huairou District, Beijing, China北京市怀柔区渤海镇慕田峪村, 75 kilometers (46 miles) from Beijing

- By Private Car : taking a private car is the most recommended way to get to Mutianyu Great Wall. It takes only about 1.5 hours to get there. Your driver can pick up you from your hotel, airport, train station or other locations in Beijing.

- By Bus : You can go to Beijing Tourist Distribution Center (北京旅游集散中心) or Dongzhimen Wai Bus Station (东直门外站) to take tourist buses to Mutianyu Great Wall. These buses only depart during 8:30am-9am, and return from the Great Wall at around 16:00. Beijing Tourist Distribution Center (北京旅游集散中心) is located near Tian’anmen Square, and connected by metro Line 2. Dongzhimen is about 7km away from Tianmen Square and you can get there by metro Line 2, metro Line 13 and several public buses.

• How to Get to Jinshanling Great Wall

- Location : Hualougou, Bakeshiyin Town, Luanping County, Heibei 河北省承德滦平县巴克什营镇花楼沟村160 kilometers (100 miles) from Beijing

- By Private Car : using a private transfer service arranged by a travel agency can save you from the crowdedness of public buses. It takes only about 2.5 hours to get to the entrance of Jinshanling section of Great Wall.

- By Bus : There are usually 4 daily tourist buses running from Dongzhimen Wai Bus Station (东直门外站) for Jinshanling Great Wall, but only operating during April ~ October. It takes about 3 hours to get to Jinshanling. You can get to Dongzhimen Wai Bus Station by metro Line 2 or 3.

• How to Get to Simatai Great Wall

- Location : Simatai, Gubei Ancient Town, Miyun District, Beijing北京市密云区古北水镇司马台村,150 kilometers (94 miles) from Beijing.

- By Private Car : pick up you from your hotel, airport, train station or other locations in Beijing, and need only about 2.5 hours to get to Simatai.

- By Bus : Simatai Great Wall belongs to the Gubei Water Town Scenic Area. You can take a tourist bus from Dongzhimen Wai Bus Station (东直门外汽车站) to Gubei Ancient Town first, then walk for several minutes to Simatai section of Great Wall. The morning bus departs at around 8am, and the afternoon bus departs at around 15:30.

• How to Get to Badaling Great Wall
• How to Get to Huanghuacheng Great Wall
• How to Get to Jiankou Great Wall
• Get from Beijing to Great Wall
• Travel from Beijing Airport to Great Wall
• Beijing South Railway Station to Great Wall
• Beijing West Railway Station to Great Wall

How to Get Around Great Wall of China

Walking is the major way to get on and around the Great Wall. But usually one need to hike on some mountain paths to get on to the wall and towers from the entrance of the scenic zones. For those who are not in good physical condition or want to save energy and time, you can take cable cars up and down at Badaling, Mutianyu, Jinshanling and Simatai sections of Great Wall. The wild sections of Great Wall at Gubeikou, Jiankou, Huanghuacheng, Jinshanling (unrestored part), Simatai (unrestored part) have no cable cars. Taking toboggan down the Great Wall is also very popular among tourists. Currently only Badaling and Mutianyu have toboggans.

• Mutianyu Great Wall Cable Car
• Mutianyu Great Wall Toboggan
• Badaling Great Wall Cable Car and Toboggan
• Get from Jinshanling to Simatai
• Get from Jiankou to Mutianyu
• Get from Gubeikou to Jinshanling

Useful Great Wall of China Maps

To help you know better about location, transportation and attractions of Great Wall of China, here we prepare some useful Great Wall maps. Please feel free to read and download. Contact us if you have any question about the Great Wall.

Mutianyu Great Wall Maps

Badaling Great Wall Maps

Jinshanling Great Wall Maps

Simatai Great Wall Maps

Jiankou Great Wall Maps

Huanghuacheng Great Wall Maps

Great Wall Google Map

More Great Wall Maps

Most Popular Great Wall Tours 2024/2025

No matter it is your first, or the second or the third trip to the Great Wall, China Discovery will always find a suitable tour package for you to see and experience the Great Wall in the best way. If you are one of the first-timers, you are suggested to visit Mutianyu section of Great Wall or Jinshanling Great Wall. If you are the second-timers, it's time to take a memorable hike to those wild section of Great Wall, such as Simatai, Jiankou, Gubeikou, Huanghuacheng, etc. If you still have no idea where to start, you can contact us to design a tailor-made Great Wall trip for you!

Jinshanling Great Wall, Simatai Great Wall

Great Wall Section(s): Mutianyu/Huanghuacheng

Forbidden City, Jingshan Park, Mutianyu Great Wall, Hutong, Bird's Nest, Water Cube

Great Wall Section(s): Jinshanling

Great Wall Sections: Jinshanling + Simatai

Great Wall Section(s): Mutianyu

Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, Jinshanling Great Wall hiking, Mount Huashan hiking

Start planning your tailor-made holiday to China by contacting one of our specialists. Once inquired, you’ll get a response within 0.5~23.5 hours.

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Great Wall Tours & Vacations

Mao Zedong said, ‘He who has not climbed the Great Wall is not a true man.'

The Chairman might have been overstating things a tad, but we can say that climbing the Great Wall is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience (unless you happen to climb it twice). Snaking from Manchurian ruins in Liaoning, through Beijing province, and ending in a few wind-scoured remains in the Gobi desert, it’s the undisputed emperor of China landmarks. There are obviously dozens of Great Wall of China tours running out of Beijing (and Shanghai), but our local guides come with a few extra perks. English speaking, expertly trained, and with an encyclopedic knowledge of the Wall and its history – there’s no-one better in the business.

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Great Wall travel FAQs

Do i need a covid-19 vaccine to join an intrepid trip.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

When is the best time to visit the Great Wall of China?

This varies a little depending on which section of the Wall you’re due to visit, but generally Spring is a lovely time to visit Beijing.

The weather in March or May is warm and fresh, and you should only need a light jacket to be comfortable on your Great Wall tour. 

Summer (June – August) is the most popular time to visit the Great Wall, but it’s the hottest too: temperatures can average around 86°F, which means sunscreen, sunglasses and a water bottle are trekking must-haves.

Autumn (September – November) is a little cooler, but still a great time to visit.

The real one to avoid is Winter (December – February) where temperatures usually drop below freezing. Most Great Wall tours won’t even run during this time.

What do I pack for the Great Wall of China?

Walking the Great Wall on a China tour requires a basic level of fitness.

You don’t need to be springing from watchtower to watchtower like a mountain goat, but the ability to walk steadily for a few hours is pretty essential.

With that in mind, pack some comfy shoes. Runners or sneakers are a good idea –they’ll support your ankles and knees while navigating uneven stone stairs.

Sunscreen and a hat are a good idea too, especially in Summer when the temperature can really spike.

Bring a small canteen for water (try to avoid buying plastic bottles) and obviously a spare SD card or two for the camera – trust us, they fill up quick here.

What are the toilet facilities like along the Great Wall of China?

There are no toilet facilities along the Great Wall of China once you've moved past the main entrance.

You should use the bathrooms before you start the walk to ensure you feel comfortable and don't have to turn back.

The restrooms may not be stocked with tissue paper or paper towels so bringing that with you is also a good idea. 

How do I get to the Great Wall of China?

The easiest way to get to the Great Wall of China is on one of our China tours; however, if you're intent on visiting by yourself, there are a couple of ways you can get there on your own.

You can hire a private driver for the day that'll pick you up from and drop you off at your accommodation in Beijing, you can catch a range of public transportation options (including taxis) or you can self-drive from Beijing to the Great Wall of China.

I t's important to note that some sections of the wall are only accessible through a group or private tour so keep that in mind when planning out your itinerary. 

Are Intrepid trips accessible for travelers with disabilities?

We are committed to making travel widely  accessible , regardless of ability or disability. We do our best to help you see the world, regardless of physical or mental limitations. 

We are always happy to talk to travelers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

The Best 10 Sections/Parts of the Great Wall to Visit

Though the Great Wall is over 6,000 kilometers long, the best 10 sections to visit are around Beijing's north and east: 1) the best-restored, Mutianyu, 2) the most beautiful, Jinshanling, 3) the wildest, Jiankou, 4) Simatai, 5) Huanghuacheng, 6) Gubeikou, 7) Juyongguan, 8) Huangyaguan, 9) Shanhaiguan, and by far the most crowded 10) Badaling.

(We list the top 10 below in order of recommendation, followed by a listing of Great Wall sections throughout China that are open for tourism.)

1. Mutianyu - the most magnificent fully-restored Great Wall section

The Mutianyu section is the most popular among international travelers. This is the most child-friendly section.

• Location : 73 kilometers (45 miles) from Beijing, 1½ hours drive
• Features : A superb example of Great Wall fortifications, Mutianyu is uniquely-designed with watchtowers and fortresses densely spaced along its length, and crenellations on both sides. First Lady Michelle Obama has visited it.
• Activities: sightseeing, hiking
• Tour Time : half a day
• Facilities: cable cars or chairlifts up/down and toboggan down

See more on why Mutianyu is so popular with international travelers  >>> 

• 1-Day Beijing Layover Tour with Mutianyu Walk
• 1-Day Beijing Highlights Tour with the Great Wall at Mutianyu

2. Jinshanling - most popular Great Wall hiking route

The Jinshanling section is part of a popular hiking route from Jinshanling to Simatai. The Great Wall at Jinshanling is half restored and half-wild . It is also the most beautiful section of the Great Wall.

• Location: 154 kilometers (96 miles) from Beijing; 2–3 hours drive.
• Features: half restored and half-wild, quiet with fabulous vistas of the wall snaking up and down
• Activities: hiking, photography
• Tour Time : a day
• Facilities: cable car

Continue to read: the breathtaking vista of the Great Wall at Jinshanling  >>>

• 1-Day Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking Tour
• 3-Day Gubeikou to Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking Tour

3. Jiankou - totally wild; the most challenging/steep section

The Jiankou section's broken wildness and perilous steepness make it the most dangerous section of the Great Wall.

• Location: 100 kilometers (62 miles) from Beijing, about 3 hours' drive.
• Features: Completely original, wild, and untouched, some sections are really steep and dangerous. It winds its way along mountain ridges in the shape of a "W".
• Activities: photography, serious hiking
• Tour Time: a day
• Facilities: none

See how steep and dangerous Jiankou's Great Wall is  >>>

• 1-Day Jiankou to Mutianyu Great Wall Hiking Tour
• 2-Day Jiankou Wild Great Wall Camping Tour
• 3-Day Jiankou to Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking Discovery Tour

4. Simatai - great for a night tour

The Simatai section incorporates different characteristics of each section of the Great Wall. And visitors can have a night tour of the Great Wall.

• Location: 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Beijing, 2–3 hours' drive.
• Features : Steep and inspiring, Simatai was acknowledged as a World Heritage Site in 1987. The red leaves there is a fine sight in fall.
• Facilities: cable cars; battery carts; boat ride

Continue to read: Incredible architectural features of the Simatai Great Wall section  >>>

• 2-Day Mutianyu-Simatai Great Wall Day-Night Tour
• 4-Day Simatai Great Wall Night Tour

5. Huanghuacheng - unique wall and water scenery

Huanghuacheng's section of the Great Wall is noted for its perfect blend of lake scenery and ancient wall .

• Location: 75 kilometers (47 miles) from Beijing , 1½ hours' drive.
• Features: Some parts of the wall are immersed in water, and there is a 500-year-old Ming Dynasty chestnut orchard at the foot of the wall.
• Activities: hiking, camping (May–September recommended)
• Facilities: cruise boats

Read more on Huanghuacheng's Great Wall section  >>>

• 2-Day Huanghuacheng Lakeside Great Wall Hiking and Camping Tour
• 5-Day Huangyaguan to Huanghuacheng Great Wall Hiking Tour

6. Gubeikou - Wild Wall, Ancient Battle Site

• Location : 146 kilometers (90 miles) from Beijing, 2 hours' drive.
• Features : Wild and unrestored, Gubeikou protected an important pass to Beijing from northern Mongol areas. Over 130 battles happened there.
• Activities : hiking
• Facilities : None

Find more on why Gubeikou was so important to defend ancient Beijing >>>

• 3-Day Jiankou, Gubeikou and Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking
• 5-Day Great Wall Hiking Tour including Gubeikou

7. Juyongguan - one of the greatest Great Wall forts

• Location : 60 kilometers (37 miles) from Beijing, 1½ hours' drive.
• Features : The closest section to Beijing, it is wheelchair-friendly, so suitable for handicapped travelers. It is one of the greatest forts defending ancient Beijing. Genghis Khan once led his troops through Juyong Pass during his conquest of Chinese territory.
• Typical tour time: 1½–2 hours

Continue to Read: Secrets to China's ancient military stronghold in Juyongguan Pass  >>>

8. Huangyaguan - an annual Great Wall marathon race site

• Location : Ji Country, Tianjin, 3 hours' drive from Beijing.
• Features : The Great Wall Marathon is held on Huangyaguan's Great Wall each May.
• Typical tour time : 2–3 hours
• Facilities: sightseeing buses to the mountain top

Continue to read: What makes Huangyaguan a Great Wall marathon site   >>>

9. Shanhaiguan - where the Great Wall meets the sea

• Location: Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province, 3½ hours' drive from Beijing.
• Features : Shanhaiguan was a very strategic pass in the Great Wall of China. It served as a frontier defense against the Manchus. It is the east end of the main Ming Dynasty Great Wall, where the Great Wall meets the sea.
• Tour time: one day

Continue to find out about the military power of ancient China at Shanhaiguan   >>>

10. Badaling - the most popular section among Chinese tourists

• Location : 72 kilometers (45 miles) from Beijing, 2 hours' drive
• Features : The most popular section among Chinese tourist groups, it is always very crowded.
• Facilities : cable cars, Great Wall Museum, circular-screen cinema, and some wheelchair access.
• Tour time: half a day

Continue to read: The big crowds and fabulous scenery of the Badaling Great Wall >>>

All Great Wall Sections

The Great Wall of China crosses 15 provinces and municipalities: Gansu, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Hebei, Tianjin, Beijing, and Liaoning, etc.; over 2,000 km (1,300 mi) in distance, but the length of the Wall is many times longer, reaching to 21,196.18 km (13,170.7 mi).

Here's a list of the main sections of the Great Wall from West to East China:

• Jiayu Pass Fort - Jiayuguan
• The Great Wall First Abutment
• The Hanging Great Wall
• The Dunhuang Han Dynasty Great Wall
• Jade Gate Pass Fort - Yumenguan
• Yang Pass Fort

In Ningxia:

• The Great Wall in Ningxia

In Inner Mongolia:

• The Great Wall in Inner Mongolia

In Shaanxi:

• Zhenbeitai Tower
• The Great Wall around Yulin
• Yanmen Pass
• Niangzi Pass
• Ningwu Pass

In Beijing Municipality:

• Shuiguan ("Water Pass")
• Juyong Pass Fortress
• Huanghuacheng
• Baima Pass Fort
• Jinshanling

In Hebei Province:

• Zijing Pass
• Shanhaiguan Fortress
• Jiaoshan ("Horn Peak")
• Laolongtou ("Old Dragon Head")

In Tianjin Municipality:

• Huangya Pass

In Liaoning Province:

• Jiumenkou ("Nine Openings")
• Hushan ("Tiger Mountain")

The Best Way to Explore China's Great Wall

The best way to explore the Great Wall  is to travel with a professional guide. Your guide will present the Wall's history, shows you the best photo spots, and generally makes your trip enjoyable.

China Highlights can provide you with a hassle-free private or small-group tour of the Great Wall of China. See below for our most popular Great Wall tours:

• 4 Days Great Wall Night Tour to see the Great Wall lit up at night.
• 1-Day Beijing Highlights Tour (Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square)

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