Dear Travellers,
We’d like to have the following Great Wall travel tips to remain updated for the benefit of new visitors visiting the Great Wall of China. If anybody having used the piece finds necessary updates, please leave a message or feedback. Thanks!
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Plan your Great Wall Tour? Needless to say, you will visit the Great Wall of China on your first trip to Beijing China. So, where to start, when to visit, which sections of Great Wall to visit, how to visit and where to stay?
Tip 1： Where to Start your Great Wall Trip?
The Great Wall of China was built mainly during the three dynasties – Qin Dynasty (221 B.C to 206 B.C), Han Dynasty (206 B.C.– 220 A.D ) and Ming Dynasty (1368 A.D – 1644 A.D).
The most powerful Yuan Dynasty and Qing Dynasty (the last dynasty) did nothing about the building of the Wall since they were “barbarians” against whom the Great Wall of China was supposed to have been built.
Those sections of the Great Wall snake across the northern China stretching from Shanhaiguan Pass in the east to Jiayuguan Pass in the west, totalling 21196 km long with the Great Wall built in Ming Dynasty ( 1368 to 1644 A.D) being the longest – 8851 km.
Basically most of the first time travellers would choose Beijing as their springboards to visit these sections of the Great Wall of China built in Ming Dynasty. Most of the sections of the Great Wall open to tourists here are tamed or reconstructed for the safety of travellers. But still there remain some wild ones (original and unrestored) – crumbling, overgrown and barred to walkers, but attracting adventure hikers.
Note: this travel guide is mainly focused on some practical travel tips for planning ahead your visit to the Great Wall of China starting from Beijing.
Tip 2: Best time to hike the Great Wall
In Beijing, all the officially administered sections of the Great Wall are open to tourists all year round. The ideal months for the Great Wall hike fall on spring, early summer, and autumn: later March, April, May, June, September, October and early November.
Great Wall Hike in Spring (March 15 to May 15)
Each year, March 15th is the official day of turning off the heating system in Beijing. This special date indicates the dry, harsh cold of Beijing’s winter is coming to an end though Beijingers will still have some chilly days in March.
A warmer spring usually starts early April and ends early May. So a warm springtime in Beijing lasts over one month. Kindly reminder: There are possibly dust storms in March. But things are getting better with the efforts put into the local environment management. Generally speaking, Beijing is dry and windy in spring.
Spring is a delightful time to visit the Great Wall – mild climate, green trees and flowers. But if you hike the Great Wall, you still feel chilly and a bit cold especially in March, wearing jackets in the morning and evening due to the big temperature drop between day and night.
How to Visit Beijing in March
How to Visit Beijing in April
How to Visit Beijing in May
Great Wall Hike in Summer (May 15 to September 15)
If you happen to visit the Wall in summer – later June, July and August, be ready for heat stroke prevention – sunglasses, sun cream, sun block, hat, and water. Summer is the rain season in Beijing and just bring waterproof in case. The weather in July and August is a bit muggy, so be well prepared for your hiking in summer.
You will expect a long queue, waiting to buy entrance tickets for the Great Wall mainly due to the large number of domestic tourists because of school vacations in July and August.
How to visit Beijing in June
How to visit Beijing in July
How to visit Beijing in August
Great Wall hike in Autumn (September 05 to November 15)
The foggy and cloudy days in Beijing’s oppressive summer are leaving us, coming with Beijing’s cooling autumn, with a blue sky, comfortable sunshine and the colorful leaves in and around Beijing.
Beijing autumn, specifically the two months from the mid-September to mid-November are the best season to visit Great Wall in a year. It’s always comfortably cool outside.
The best period autumn colors starts from October 15 throughout November 15 in Beijing with many trees changing theirs colors with charming autumn hues. Snap pictures or just take in a feast for the eyes!
Fairly big difference in temperature between early morning and afternoon. Wear a thin jacket, or a warm coat in the morning, long-sleeve shirts or short T-shirts in the afternoon. So be mindful of the temperature difference in Autumn, comfortable sport shoes, rubber soled shoes for hiking. In afternoon, sometimes the autumn sunlight could be very strong, get ready for sunglasses, sun cream and sun hat.
How to Visit Beijing in September
How to Visit Beijing in October
How to Visit Beijing in November
Great Wall Hike in Winter (November 15 to March 15)
Winter Great Wall Hike is a bit challenging mainly due to the frozen weather in later December, January and early February each year in Beijing. You are advised to dress warmly – winter hat with ear flap, ear warmers, gloves, scarf, warm jackets and their winter accessories.
The Great Wall is impossible to hike only because the roads leading to the sections of the Great Wall are blocked due to the heavy snow or other extreme weather. If you plan to do the hike in winter, we do suggest you check the weather report. Check out How to Visit Great Wall of China in Winter
How to Visit Beijing in December
How to Visit Beijing in January
How to Visit Beijing in February
Tip 3: Avoid weekends or public holidays
It is better to hike the Wall during the weekdays instead of weekends. Strongly advise you not to visit the Wall during China public holidays ( Especially May 1-3, and October 1-7).
On these special days you will waste much of your valuable time on the way from your hotel to the Wall. On the Wall, you have to take group photos due to a great number of people on the Wall.
Tip 4: Select the section of the Wall
There are 10 major sections of the Great Wall of China around Beijing. Within the officially managed sections of the Great Wall, the entrance fees are collected, police stations are set up and security guides are dotted along the Wall.
Jiankou is not open to tourists due to their wildness and treacherousness.
We’ve rounded up some useful tips for choosing the right bit of the Wall.
1) Juyongguan Great Wall
If you don’t have much time, but you still want to have a glimpse of the Wall, especially on a busy day, choose Juyongguan Great Wall.
Juyongguan, literally “Juyong Pass”(居庸关), is situated in a valley named “Guangou” as long 20 kilometres, which is within Changping District, about 50 kilometres north of downtown Beijing. It is one of the three most famous passes of Great Wall in China。
2) Badaling Great Wall
If you want to see the most popular and gorgeous restored section of the Wall in Beijing, go to Badaling Great Wall. Badaling is also wheelchair friendly , accessible by the handicapped.
3) Mutianyu Great Wall
If you want to visit the Wall with beautiful green scenery and environment ( travel with kids or seniors), less crowded, then visit Mutianyu Great Wall.
If you are a fall foliage peeper, Mutianyu Great Wall is a great place to have your eyes satisfied in autumn hues. Check out Mutianyu Great Wall in Autumn for more information.
4) The wild and original sections of the Wall
If you want to hike the wild and original sections of the Wall (half restored or unrestored), go to visit Shixiagan Great Wall, Jiankou Great Wall, Jinshanling Great Wall, Gubeikou Great Wall, Huanghuacheng Great Wall and Simatai Great Wall or put them together.
Check out: Hike from Jiankou Great Wall to Mutinayu Great Wall.
Jiankou Great Wall is forbidden to hike according to the official rule and regulations concerned. Hikers are responsible for their own safety while hiking Jiankou Great Wall.
Check out Hike from Gubeikou Great Wall to Jinshanling GreatWall.
Today’ Gubeikou Great Wall is only composed of two parts – Panlongshan Great Wall and Wohushan Great Wall. “Panlongshan” literally means “Coiled Dragon Mountain” while “Wohushan” literally means “Crouching Tiger Mountain”.
The two mountains faces each other with a valley in between from south to north, a strategic passage in the ancient times linking Inner Mongolia and Beijing. Now the valley has been turned into a fast developing Gubeikou Township under Miyun County of Beijing City.
Check out Simatai Great Wall.
There are totally 16 watch towers distributed on the Simatai Great Wall snaking the ridge of the steep mountain. The 13th-16th towers are forbidden to hike due to their steepness and treacherousness.
Check out Hike Across Shixiaguan GreatWall.
Shixiaguan Great Wall ( literally means “Stone Gorge Pass Great Wall”) is officially known as Ruined Badaling Great Wall. It is 5km southwest of the restored Badaling Great Wall,a western gate of the Badaling Defense Works.
Check out Huanghuacheng Great Wall.
Huanghuacheng (literally meaning “Yellow Flower City”) Great Wall (黄花城), about 65 km north of downtown Beijing, is one of the most ruined sections of the wall in Beijing.
It has become popular with hikers in recent years. This section of the great wall is about 1000 meters long and connecting Juyongguan Pass Great Wall and Badaling Great Wall in the west and Jiankou Great Wall and Mutianuyu Great Wall in the east. Now it is a quite challenge to climb the wall since it is overgrown and treacherous.
Check out Jinshanling Great Wall
Jinshanling Great Wall (金山岭长城) is located about 130 km in the northeast of the downtown Beijing. To its east stands the Simatai Great Wall and the west stands Gubeikou Great Wall. Jinshangling Great Wall was named after the mountain called Jinshan Mountains. The Jinshanling Great Wall was first constructed built in the Ming Dynasty.
The famous general, Xu Da, of the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) supervised and directed the construction of the Great Wall. Later, Qi Jiguang led a number of defense works while guarding the north area in 1567.
Tip 5: How to get to the Great Wall of China
1. Get to Badaling Great Wall by bus
Take Badaling Great Wall Bus No.877 （Bus Fare: RMB 12）
Deshengmen (德胜门）- Badaling (八达岭）
Operating Hours：
06:00-12:00(Apr.1-Oct.31)
06:00-12:30 (Nov.1-Mar.31)
Return:
Badaling (八达岭）- Deshengmen (德胜门）
10:30-17:00(Apr.1-Oct.31)
11:00-16:30(Nov.1-Mar.31)
From: Deshengmen Bus Station
Note:
Bus 919 has two kinds of bus lines: 919 express (919快) and 919 slow (919慢) with their final destinations being Yanqing County. Bus 919 will stop at the Badaling Great Wall ( the drop-off stop is a bit far from the ticketing office). You are still advised to take 877, the special bus for Badaling Great Wall tourists.
2. Go to Badaling Great Wall by train
Check out How to get to Badaling Great Wall by Train
6 Daily High Speed trains ( One extra train added on weekend)
starting from Qinghe Railway Station to Badaling Great Wall Station and vice versa
High speed trains from Qinghe Railway Station to Badaling:
G2501 ( 07:00 – 07:19 ) Only available on Fri, Sat & Sun
G7873 ( 08:38 – 08:57 )
G2485 ( 12:48 – 13:07 )
G2429 ( 14:11 – 14:30 )
G8815 ( 14:43 – 15:02 )
G2431 ( 16:25 – 16:44 )
G2439 (18:18 – 18:37 )
High speed trains back from Badaling to Qinghe Railway Station
G2402 ( 09:21 – 09:41 )
G2416 ( 13:24 – 13:43 )
G7876 ( 14:04 – 14:23 )
G2430 ( 17:56 – 18:15 ) Only available on Fri, Sat & Sun
G2434 ( 19:08 – 19:27 )
G8818 ( 19:58 – 20:18 )
Ticket prices for the high speed trains between Qinghe Railway Station and Badaling
Business Class: RMB 70 ; First Class: RMB 37 ; Second Class: RMB 23
3. Go to Mutianyu Great Walll by bus
Check out How to visit Mutianyu Great Wall for more information.
Apart from the regular 916 Express Bus operated all year round from Dongzhimen Transportation Hub to Huairou District where you connect Bus H23 or taxi for Mutianyu Great Wall Scenic Area, there is one daily return direct shuttle bus starting from Beijing Dongzhimen Wai Bus Station to Mutianyu Great Wall Scenic Area.
4. Go to Gubei Water Town and Simatai Great Wall
Basically you have four ways by using the special shuttles, public buses and S5 trains going from the city core of Beijing to Gubei Water Town ( Simatai Great Wall) or vice versa. Please check out: Bus & Train to Gubei Water Town & Simatai Great Wall.
5. Go to Jinshanling Great Wall by bus
At Dongzhimen Public Transport Hub (东直门交通枢纽）take Bus 980. Very Important Notice: Actually the Bus 980 Express stops at Miyun County ( 密云汽车站 ), and then you take a mini bus from the downtown Miyun to Jinshanling.
Bus Fare: RMB 15
Minibus Fare: about RMB 50 ( you have to share a mini-bus for Jinshanling Great Wall)
6. Taxi to the Great Wall of China
Check out Take a taxi to the Great Wall for more information.
You can also charter a taxi for day trips to the Great Wall. The drive ranges from 1.5 hour to 2.5 hours from the city center according to the different sections of the Great Wall.
Below are the approximate taxi fares to the different sections of the Great Wall with waiting for about 2-3 hours while touring the wall:
Beijing Mutianyu Great Wall: 85km – RMB 600
Beijing Badaling Great Wall: 80km – RMB 500
Beijing Simatai Great Wall: 140km – RMB 700
Beijing Juyongguan Great Wall: 60km – RMB 400
Beijing Jinshanling Great Wall: 160km RMB 800
Beijing Gubeikou Great Wall: 150km – RMB 750
Beijing Jiankou Great Wall: 85km – RMB 650
Beijing Huanghuacheng Great Wall 85km – RMB 600
Tip 6: Book a Great Wall Bus Tour or Private Tour
Don’t want to make the do-it-yourself route? No worries, you can easily book Great Wall Bus Tour (daily group tours) or private day tour through your hotel or local tour operators. Check out Beijing Day Tour and Beijing Group Tour for more information.
Each morning, you will be picked you up from your midtown hotel, then you will go to visit the Wall together with other tourists.
Groups are kept to about 10 passengers in a comfortable modern 22-seat coach with professional Beijing chauffeurs and English speaking tour guide.
Tip 7: Tips for Wheelchair users
Both Badaling Great Wall and Mutianyu Great Wall have accessible ramp paths. On the Badaling Great Wall, a special flat lane is built for wheelchair users to get to the third watch tower of the Great Wall. Even two elevators are equipped for easy ascending the wall if you book the elevator service in advance.
Badaling Great Wall has the upper hand over Mutianyu Great Wall with its gentle ramp leading to the first watch tower of the Great Wall.
Check out “The Most Wheelchair-Friendly Great Wall to Visit” for more tips for accessible Great Wall of China.
Basically it is more convenient to use its smooth and gentle ramp leading up Badaling Great Wall. You don’t need to use the cable car. The area for the upper cable station is not wheelchair-friendly and teem with domestic tourists.
On the Mutianyu Great Wall, wheelchair users may take a cable car up and then use the accessible lane leading to the platform below the 14th watch tower for a good view of Mutianyu Great Wall.
The accessible paths in Mutianyu Great wall are too steep, not wheelchair user-friendly!
The accessible lane from the upper cable car station to the platform below the 14th watch tower on Mutianyu Great Wall.
The accessible platform for wheelchair users below the 14th watch tower on Mutianyu Great Wall.
Tip 8: Tips for Experienced Travellers
you may choose half restored or wild sections of the Wall. But you have to be responsible for your own safety.
Travel Notes for wild great wall hiking:
1. Things to take: sports shoes or hiking boots, sticks, cap, sun-glasses, sunscreen, bottles of water, snacks, pocket knife, lip balm and first aid kit.
2. Using toilets at the entrance of the Wall. No toilets on the hiking route. Please always carry toilet paper by yourself.
3. Wearing pants and long-sleeves even in summer to hike through jungles and bushes.
4. You are responsible for your travel insurance for your coverage of injury or accident.
5 Be a green and responsible hiker, taking nothing but photos and leaving nothing but footprint.
Add-on
How to Visit Great Wall of China
How to Visit Jiankou Great Wall
How to Get to Badaling Great Wall by Train
How to Get to Badaling Great Wall by Bus
How to Get to Simatai Great Wall & Gubei Water Town
How to Visit Mutianyu Great Wall
How to Visit Great Wall of China in Winter
How to Visit Great Wall of China Wheelchair Accessible
Tip 9: Hassle-free Great Wall Guided Tours
Don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route? No worries, We at Tour Beijing have some options for guided tours to Great wall Tours:
Mutianyu Great Wall Group Day Tour
Mutianyu Great Wall Half Day Private Tour
Hike from Jiankou to Mutianyu Great Wall Tour
Hike from Gubeikou to Jinshanling Great Wall Tour
Hike from Jinshanling to Simatai Great Wall West Tour
Badaling Great Wall + Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour
Badaling Great Wall and Underground Palace Day Tour
Badaling Great Wall + Forbidden City + Tiananmen Square Day Tour
Visit Badaling Great Wall by Train
Visit Mutianyu Great Wall by Bus
Hike from Jiankou to Mutianyu Great Wall Tour
Hike from Gubeikou to Jinshanling Great Wall Tour
Hike from Jinshanling to Simatai Great Wall West Tour
Badaling Great Wall + Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour
Badaling Great Wall and Underground Palace Day Tour
Badaling Great Wall + Forbidden City + Tiananmen Square Day Tour
Further Readings
How to Plan a Trip to Beijing
Top 10 Attractions in Beijing
Top 10 Tourist Scams Beijing
How to Visit Tiananmen Square
How to Visit Forbidden City
How to Visit Temple of Heaven
How to Visit Summer Palace
How to Visit Ming Tombs
How to Visit the Great Wall of China
How to Visit Hutongs
How to Visit Olympic Sites
Top 10 Markets in Beijing
Top 10 Shopping Malls in Beijing
Beijing Shopping
Wangfujing Snack Street
Qianmen Commercial Street
Beijing Huguosi Street
Any questions, just drop a line.
Hi,
We are Planning to Fly from Shanghai at 8:30 am and Reach Beijing at 11:30am, is that possible to cover the GREAT WALL in the Same Day [ January 1st ]. and can any one provide the best way to reach BADALING from JJ INN Hotel No.103 Deshengmen St ,100035 Beijing.
You may take the public buses to Badaling Great Wall at Deshengmen Bus Terminal.
Bus No. 877 ( Air Conditioner Bus )
Bus Terminal: Deshengmen (德胜门快车)
Destination: Badaling Great Wall, Weihe Drifting, Wenquan Holiday Village
Bus Fare: RMB 12
The first Bus: 6:00am;
The last bus: 6:30pm
Tel: 63360283
Please contact your hotel for more information on how to ge to Deshengmen Bus Terminal.
I will be visiting Beijing in late March. Is it possible to book a trip ti Xi’an to see the Terra-Cotta soldiers? And how far is it from Beijing?
You travel Xian on your own or book a private tour from a local travel agency in Beijing. Please check the Beijing Xian tour information on the page of http://www.tour-beijing.com/xian_tours/beijing_xian_tours/
Beijing – Xian by flight ( 1.5 hours )
Beijing – Xian by overnight train (12 hours)
Hi, I am reaching Beijing on Saturday 10 March, I would like to go see wall on 11th march with bit a city site seeing tour. Pl. advice.
Please check http://www.tour-beijing.com/coach_tours/ or http://www.tour-beijing.com/beijing_day_tour/
Have a nice stay in Beijing!
hi, just wondering why you wrote that badaling is the most gorgeous? a lot of my friends who went there said that badaling is full of vendors and tourists and you really cant appreciate the wall. they recommend mutianyu more. what do you think?
Kat,
yes, you are right and Badaling is rife with vendors and tourists. But this cannot deny the greatness of Badaling itself which has a ” Wall” with many directions that look gorgeoous! Mutianyu is great too, but it only has generally a linear wall from east to west.
If you want to hike Badaling, try to avoid weekends and holiday, also start early for the wall.
Different people have different tastes. Basically it makes no big difference hiking badaling or mutianyu.
hey, i am currently in beijing and have a friend staying at the moment who would like to camp on he great wall. I was hoping on some advice on doing this but without going through a tour.
Can you recommend any areas where it’s possible to camp? i also do not want to offend any locals etc. so designated camping areas would be better.
Hello Tira,
Jinshanling Great Wall is open to the camping, which also offers tents. Please contact Jinshanling Hotel for the camping and tent rental. Jinshanling Hotel Phone Number: 0314 – 8830222
see camping on the Jinshanling Great Wall http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/china-travel/great-wall-of-china/sleeping-on-the-great-wall-camping-on-the-great-wall/
Hello, i live in China, my relatives are coming soon, so we want to visit Beijing at the first of May but a friend of mine told me it will crowded that it is not good to go to the great wall, can you advice us before i book a room, and which hotel do you recommend?
Yes, Bill, many sections of the Great Wall around Beijing will teemed with tourists during the 3-day May Day holiday. Compared with Badaling Great Wall, Juyongguan Great Wall and Mutianyu Great Wall, Jinshanling Great Wall is relatively less crowded. Avoid Badaling Great Wall anyhow. Have a nice trip in Beijing.
And what if we came on April 29, would it be the same? can you arrange a 5 hours private tour to Great Wall from 9 to 14:00? is there any advice for hotel?
Bill, please send your enquiry to [email protected] for your short trip with quotations. Thanks!
I’m goign to Shanghai on November for 3 nights but I want to visit the Great Wall. Any advice . . ., is this possible. I saw a train ride but would I have enough time to do it in one day
You may take the earliest high speed train to Beijing and rent a private car to the Mutianyu Great Wall. Then back to Beijing Southern Railway Station and take a latest highspeed train back to Shanghai. Just for your reference.
Hi, I’m planning to visit Beijing this coming month, around May 1 or 3. I have only one night in Bejing and would definitely want to visit the wall. I know my schedul might fall into holidays period which a lot of info I got sound not recommended too. Can you suggest please? Where to stay and to maximize my short time? Thanks.
1) If you have a full day in Beijing for a great wall tour, you may take one of our daily departured bus tours ( http://www.tour-beijing.com/coach_tours/ )
2) Please check where to stay in Beijing for more information ( http://www.tour-beijing.com/hotel/where_to_stay_in_beijing.php )
is there a method to book the elevator on the great wall in advance if we take a tour from any group like you on the 10th may.
Only Badaling Great Wall has one elevator. But it is seldom used, more symbolic. Actually the small elevator doesn’t make much sense. You may use the accessible path for wheelchair users instead. But either the elevator or the accessible path will not take you to the hilltop, only a small part wall accessible for wheelchair users.
I personally suggest you go to Mutianyu Great Wall. Take a cable car to the hillside cable station, where where is an accessible path leading to the wall on the hilltop.
Going top Beijng June 5. Have some mobility issues and can’t walk far or do many steps and steep inclines. Badaling seems my best shot at seeing any of the Wall. Eveything I’ve seen says you have to reserve the elevator, but I can’t find instructions on how to do that. Can you help?
At the time of my writing, it is difficult to reserve the lift. You may use the wheelchair accessible pathway at Badaling.
We may be coming to Beijing in September for work so our days will be filled. Can you visit the wall in the evening or night? Is it worth it to visit at night if you can’t see the views?
The Wall around Beijing is not illuminated at night. It is not convenient to hike the wall at night. You may see sunrise or sunset on the Wall. So, you may stay overnight by the wall. Just for your reference!
Hi, I know it might not be the best time for visiting, but I will anyway be in Beijing for Christmas Holidays (Dec 20 to 24), Is it still possible to visit the wall during these dates? I mean is it possible to walk it? is there enough visibility at this time of year?
Yes, the great wall around Beijing is open all years round. You can hike the Wall in winter like the dates during the Christmas time. But if worse weather, like heavy snow, you are not encouraged to walk the Wall.
I along with my wife are reaching Beijing on 16 August 2012 at 1225 PM hrs and leaving on 17 august at 820 AM. How can we best use our time? What all to see in this short duration? We shall be staying at GREENTREE INN BEIJING CAPITAL AIRPORT HOTEL Building 5 of A Area of Xincheng, Dongba BEIJING CHINA. Kindly Advise.
In my opinion, basically you have two choices:
1) Half day excurion to the Great Wall
2) Half day city tour ( Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven)
If you want to use a travel agency to arrange your Beijing short trip, please contact us ([email protected] ).
Hello,
I’m in changsha now, Burr I’m planning to go to Beijing on Aug 15, I have to leave to Newark on Aug 16 at 330pm. I would like to know if it possible to visit the great wall only in the morning.what do you recommend? What transportation? Which hotel? I’m from Costa Rica, and Idon’t know if I’ll have other opportunities to know the great wall.thanks
You will be short of time to have a morning excursion to the Great Wall and return to catch up your 3:3pm flight back home. Your 3:30pm departure flight means you have to get to Beijing capital airport around 12:30pm. Kindly advised that you visit the Great Wall next time.
I am coming to Beijing in early October this year and staying at a Holiday Inn Express.
How do I find out if they offer Great Wall tours from those hotels?
Thank you!
Hello Chris Martin,
Most of the hotels in Beijing offer day trips to the Great Wall through a local travel agency. You may call your hotel or contact them via email to check whether they have such travel serivice. Or you may visit http://www.tour-beijing.com/coach_tours/ and book a Great Wall bus tour online.
Hi,
Just an update. It’s no longer bus 919 going to Badaling great wall. New bus number is 877. Also, bus fare is only RMB 12 and not RMB 16. We went there just yesterday.
Thank you.
Justine
Hello Justine,
Much thanks for your updated bus information on 877 for Badaling Great Wall! The blog is now updated. Thanks again!
I am arriving Beijin 17th Sept and then two days to Tianjin for official visit.
Then I will go to Beijin and will stay two days for sight seeing particularly Great China Wall and Tiannman Square. Can you please advise me (1) what will be weather in Beijin (2) where I can stay in economy hotel can you recommend me the name of hotel? I am first time coming to Beijing
Hello Mahendra Parmar,
1. Later September is an ideal time for visitng Beijing, basically mild and sunny weather in Beijing. Please check the page of the Beijing Climate in September for more information ( http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/beijing-weather/beijing-in-september-beijing-weather-in-september/ ).
2. Please check Beijing top 10 Hostels ( http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/top-10-beijing-hostels-beijing-youth-hostel/)
And Beijing Top 10 Budget Hotels ( http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/top-10-budget-hotels-in-beijing-beijing-cheap-hotels/ )
Have a nice stay in Beijing!
Hello,
Me and my wife will be attending a science conference in Beijing October 13-16, 2012. We will be arriving early morning of October 12 and leave evening October 18. Please recommend the best way tour around Beijing during our extra 3 days in the city. We would like to visit major tourist spots like the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tienanmen Square, Olympic venues (i.e bird’s nest, water cube), Ming Tomb. We also would like to try Peking duck and buy some souvenirs. I already read a lot about tourist traps while visiting Beijing like unannounced visits to shops and other places where tourists are herded to force them to buy or try something. These traps take away a lot of time that should have been spent on sightseeing. Can you recommend hassle-free and cost-effective way to visit the said major tourist attractios. Thank you
Hello Mr.Diomedes Racelis,
Welcome to Beijing!
Basically you have two alternatives to visit Beijing: self-service tour or using a local travel agency. If you are going to use a local travel agency, to avoid the forced shopping on the tour, you can demand a tour without shopping.
For self-service tour, you need to empower yourself by becoming a travel expert by yourself – taking much of your time and energy to study the strategy of how to travel Beijing on your own. Even if you choose to have a hassle-free and cost-effective way to visit the said major tourist attractios, tourist straps are still there and we have to be always vigilant on these tourist scams.
Below are some my suggestions for your self-service tour of Beijing:
First, you should learn the top 10 Beijing Tourist Scams.
Suggested Itinerary and travel tips:
Day 1: Visit City Highlights like Tiananmen Squure, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace
How to visit Tiananmen Square
How to Visit Forbidden City
How to Visit Temple of Heaven
How to Visit Summer Palace
Day 2 : One excursion to Badaling Great Wall
How to visit Badaling Great Wall by train
How to Viit Badaling Great Wall by Bus
Day 03: Visit the Shichahai – the old and traditional area of Beijing ( Hutong tour )
How to visit Lama Temple
How to visit Confucian Temple and Guozijian Imperial College
Drum and Bell Towers
Shichahai Area
Hopefully, the information above will be useful for you. Have a nice trip in Beijing!
Hi, I just wonder if I arrive in Beijing airport on a Sunday at 6am and having a connection flight leaving the same day at 2pm, would it be enough to visit the Great Wall for a short tour and take a couple of photos?
Thanks!
Hello Sebbi,
Basically it takes one and half hour from your hotel to the Mutianyu Great Wall and the same time needed back to te airport. So the 3 hours + your time on the wall are the time needed for your layover trip the Great Wall.
hi..i would just like to know if its advisable to bring a pram/stroller to great wall as i have a 3 yr-old son with me. thanks
Hello Bing,
It is all right for you take a pram/stroller to great wall , but I think it is much safer to hug your son or let him walk a bit instead of using a pram due to lots of steps on the wall. For me, just leave the pram in a van or bus, and go hiking with a kid. have a nice trip!
hi there
can I please check – if Simatai is opened for hiikes ? Visiting beijing from 26/10/2012 to 2/11/12
Hello Chris,
As far as I know, Simatai will be open sometime next year. You may hike Gubeikou and Jinshanling Great Wall instead.
Hello Mei,
The perion between 26 Oct and 3 Nov is shoulder season, not high season.
Hi there,
I’ll go to Beijing for a few days the first week of December, with my mother.
I really want to go to Mutianyu great wall and I saw December is not the best time to go there.
Any advice ? Is it hard to walk on it during this period ?
Hello Claire，
Yes, it is a bit hard to hike the Great Wall in winter. especially in a windy day. But early December is not too bad for the great wall hike. Just wear warmly.
Hello,
I was interested in taking a taxi from Beijing to Juyongguan. Would regular taxis found on the street be willing to do this? Or do I have to call a special taxi to make a reservation? Do they mind waiting while you explore the Great Wall? Or would it be easier to get a taxi to take you out there and then get a different taxi to take you back into the city when we are done?
Hello Lindsey,
1. Yes, a regular taxi driver on the street is willing to go if you’d like to pay the taxi fare he can accept.
2. It is better to book a taxi in advance through your hotel, taxi company or local travel agency.
3. They don’t mind you explore the Great Wall if you pay him the money for the waiting time.
4. It is not easy to get a different cab there. Most passengers would rent a taxi for a half day or whole day.
For booking a private car, please check Beijing car rental with driver.