How to Visit the Great Wall of China (Tips, Photos & Map)

252 thoughts on “How to Visit the Great Wall of China (Tips, Photos & Map)”

1. Hi,

   I am planning to visit Great wall in December 23 or 24-2012. I will be travelling with kids (8 years and 11 years). Is it a real risky to visit Great wall in the end of December??

   Razak

2. Hello MUHAMMAD RAZAK,

   It is not necessarily risky. As you know the Great Wall is open all year round. But you have to take precausion if you hike the wall after snowning or in a big northwest wind. It could be very cold on the wall. So please wear warmly!

3. hi there. how do i go to badaling great wall from hotel forbidden city? and how do we get to train station to go to badaling? or deshengmen bus station?

   2. after greatwall, i would like to go skiing. which is the best place for beginnners?

   3. and after ski, how do we ride home to our hotel?

   much thanx in advance

4. 1. For the train station to go to badaling, please visit the link: http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/how-to-visit-great-wall-by-train-visit-badaling-great-wall-by-train/
   2. For the bus to Badaling, please check the link: http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/travel-review/badaling-great-wall-bus/
   3. There is a ski resort (Badaling Ski Resort) not far from the Badaling Great Wall which has the trail for beginners. You may take a local taxi between the ski and badaling, then take train or bus back to downtown Beijing from Badaling Great Wall.

5. HI

   How do we go from the airport to Badaling spa resort where we will stay?

6. Hello Kim,

   Badaling spa resort? I think its official name is Beijing Jinyu Badaling Spa Resort.
   Official name: Beijing Jinyu Badaling Spa Resort ( Chinese: 北京金隅八达岭温泉度假村 )
   Add： Guishui North Street, Yanqing County, Beijing (Chinese: 北京市延庆县妫水北街1号)。
   Tel: 010-69148833

   How to get from the airport to Beijing Jinyu Badaling Spa Resor? Please read below:

   First take the airport express to its final station at Dongzhimen (东直门), then interchange for the loop-type Subway line 2 and get off at the station of Jishuitan (积水潭), exit from the Exit A. Then walk along the sideway in the east direction for about 450 meters, soon you will see a high tower – the Deshengmen Arrow Tower (德胜门城楼). Deshengmen Bus Station is just below the northern side of the tower. The compound of Deshengmen Arrow Tower is within a roundabout. So you have to cross a road to reach the bus station. You have to be careful crossing the road since the road has no traffic light at the time of my writing.

   By the way, on your 450-meter walk from the subway station of Jishuitan (积水潭), to the Deshengmen Arrow Tower (德胜门城楼), you will pass alongside the Deshengmenxi Bus Station (different from Deshengmen Bus Station) and you just ignore it! You will be also distracted by some privately owned buses or mini-buses operated in the name of official Badaling-bound buses. We strongly suggest you take the official buses within the Deshengmen Bus Station for safety and reasonable price.

   When you reach Deshegmen Bus Station ( just below the northern side of the tower), first take the Bus 919 Express (919直达快车) for Yanqing (延庆), get off at Dongguan Yanqing （延庆东关）， then change for Bus 920 (920公交支线) and get off at the last stop.

7. hi

   i am planning to visit the great wall, i heard of something called tourist bus stop where i can take a bus from there that would take me to the great wall ? is that right ? and if so , how can i get to the nearest one , i live near by chaoyang park in chaoyang distirct .
   or you recommend other tools ? like the bus or train you mentioned in other answers ?

   another question

   how long it will take walking on the badaling section ? and is there anything intersting to visit afterwards around the area ?

   thanks alot in advance dear

8. Hello, i’m travelling with my family at dec 26th to great wall with tour, i guess they’ll do all the transportations and everything, but i want to know what are the things i should wear layer by layers from long johns perhaps? i’ve never been there and had troubles packing! thanks!

9. Hello Jacqueline,

   Winter Great Wall Hike is a bit challenging mainly due to the frozen weather in later December. You are advised to dress warmly – winter hat with ear flap, ear warmers, gloves, scarf, warm jackets and ther winter accessories. Long johns are needed to keep you warm. Normally warm jackets and hats with ear flaps are also available on the stalls below the Great Wall. Have a nice trip to Beijing!

   Beijing has very good heating system and you will feel quite warm indoor.

10. Hello Hadee,

    You can either take a public bus or S train to go to Badaling Great Wall. Please see the two links below for more information:

    1. S Train: http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/how-to-visit-great-wall-by-train-visit-badaling-great-wall-by-train/

    2. Bus 877: http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/travel-review/badaling-great-wall-bus/

    Winter Great Wall Hike is a bit challenging mainly due to the frozen weather in later December. Please wear wamrly and it is hard to keep long on the Wall especially in a blustery day. Normally 2-3 hours on the wall. To save time and energy, you take cable car up and down.

    Afterwards, if you are interested in skiing, you may take a local taxi to Badaling Ski Resort http://www.tour-beijing.com/ski/beijing_badaling_ski_resort.php (5km away) and be sure to take a shuttle bus or local bus back to Beijing city center.

11. Traveling to Beijing February 20th 2013. What are conditions at Great Wall during this time. What shoes and attire are recommended?

12. Hello Sandra W,

    The Beijing Weather in February is still very cold. Especially on a blustery day, the feeling temperature will be much lower. You should wear winter jacket, gloves, winter hat with ear flap. Wear comfortable shoes for walking on the wall.

13. hi whats the weather in beijing this january? im planning to go to great wall. is it possible to hike or is it covered with snow?

    thanks

14. Hello Sheryl Bernardo,

    As for the weather in January, please check the link: http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/beijing-in-january/

    You will learn the historical record above of the January’s weather in Beijing for the past 50 years.

    Most of the sections of the Great Wall around Beijing are open all year around except extreme weather like heavy snow when it is very difficult for you to reach the site of the Great Wall.

    Now it is all right for you to hike the Great Wall around Beijing and no heavy snow in the near future. Have a great time in Beijing.

15. hi plan to go to the great wall in february 2013 i want to know what will the entrance fees be and which wall in recommended for university students who want adventure also how to get to the wall eg bus routes etc. thanks you for your time

16. Hello Sue,

    The entrance to the Great wall around Beijing cost you about RMB45. You may hike Jinshanling Great Wall. See http://www.tour-beijing.com/public_bus/ for how to get there by bus.

17. I will be visiting the great wall together with a group of 20 persons on FEb 16th 2013, pleas advise what footwear should be worn??

18. Hello valerie P,

    Just wear comfortable shoes! sports shoes, no high-heeled shoes. Have a nice trip!

19. My husband and I are both in our mid 70’s. We use walkers to sight see. I understand the walking at the great wall is extensive (no hicking) will be done) Do you have electric scooters or wheelchairs available to reserve and rent? We want to be able to see as much as we can.
    We will be coming in with the Viking cruise tour as a part of our trip. They did not know the answer to this question and told us to get in touch with you.
    As above we really would love for you to send the information either my email or mail and let us know how we can reserve this most helpful item of our trip.
    We will be traveling the end of April.
    Mrs George Feldman

20. Hello Roberta Feldman,

    Thanks for your enquiry! One of our staffers will contact you for the detailes. Have a good day!

21. I appreciate browsing your websites. Thank you!

22. I want to visit China, Beijing in December, and I want to visit the Great wall. What sort of clothing do I need during this time. Also is it safe for children to visit the Great wall. Please let me know. Thanks you Rita

23. Hello Rita Jebaseelan,

    Winter Great Wall Hike is a bit challenging mainly due to the frozen weather in later December, January and early early February each year in Beijing. You are advised to dress warmly – winter hat with ear flap, ear warmers, gloves, scarf, warm jackets and ther winter accessories.

    As for the Beijing’s temperature in December, please check http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/beijing-weather/beijing-in-december/ .

    Personally, I suggest you and your children choose Mutianyu Great Wall, which is less crowded and comparatively comftable and safe for walking on the Wall.

24. Hi!

    Me and my son will visit Yiwu city in the month of March2013 and like to see Great wall of China can it be posiible for us to visit there in one day and can return back to Yiwu on the same day, pls advise how to go there By road/train/air and distance from Yiwu.

    Looking forward to hear from you soon.

    Regards,

    Rakesh Rajpal

25. Hello Rakesh Rajpal,

    There is little possibility of having one day trip from Yiwu to Beijing. Basically, you should first either go to Hangzhou or Shanghai, then either take flight or highspeed trains for Beijing (Great Wall). Beijing is about 1800km from Yiwu.

26. Hi there…

    We’ll be visiting the Wall in the middle of July. Weather-wise we’re fine – we’re prepared. What I would like to know is what time would be ideal to avoid most of the crowds. We usually head to tourist-heavy places extremely early in the morning (and we have a private driver) – is that possible at the Wall? Is there an “opening time” we should aim for? Also, what time do the doors close? Finally, are there any restrictions concerning photography?

    Thank you

27. Hello Marios Forsos,

    To avoid most of the crowds，it is advisable to get up early to beat otherw on the wall and also avoid to visit the Wall on weekends. For most the sections of the Great Wall, the opening time is between 8:00 and 18:00.

    One exception, Jinshanling Great Wall is available for 24 hours. As far as I know, threre is are no restrictions concerning photography.

28. Hi,

    Please advise how do i go to mutianyu great wall from Citytel inn beijing. what is the route i should take when i am at mutianyu. i would prefer to take cable up and slide down. thanks

29. Hello Liau,

    Take Bus No. 916 Express (916快）Mutianyu Great Wall 慕田峪长城

    Where is the Bus 916?
    You should go to Dongzhimen Public Transport Hub (东直门交通枢纽）to take the bus 916.

    How to get to Dongzhimen Public Transport Hub (东直门交通枢纽）?Take subway Line 2, get off at the stop of Dongzhimen (东直门) and enter Dongzhimen Public Transport Hub through a connected channel from Dongzhimen Subway Station to Dongzhimen Public Transport Hub. For more information on Dongzhimen Public Transport Hub, please check the link: http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/dongzhimen-public-transport-hub/

    Important Notice: The final destination of the Bus 916 Express is actually Huairou Huairou Beidajie (怀柔北大街 Huairou North Street）in Huairou District ( about 70km north of Beijing city cneter), then you have to change for the local bus No.936 (Huairou – Dongtai 怀柔至洞台), continue to take the bus 936 (936路支线) for another 18.6km, pass 8 stops and get off at Mutianyu Great Wall finally.
    Bus 916 Express (916快）Fare: RMB 12
    Bus 936 (936路支线) Fare: RMB 8
    Bus Operation Time: 6:00-17:00 ( every 20 minutes )

    For how to

30. Hello Liau,

    Again, just a follow-up.

    There are 20 towers on the Mutianyu Great Wall snaking the ridge for about 3000 meters. The watch towers at the Mutianyu Great Wall are distributed at short intervals. The 20 watch towers are numbered from right to left, or from east to west. The 20th tower is highest point of the Mutianyu Great Wall. In any Great Wall hike, it is good for your legs to hike up than to hike down. So we suggest you hike the Mutianyu Great Wall from the left to the right – from the east to the west. You have three ways of getting to the Great Wall:

    1) Walking up the Great Wall along the stone steps (like a mountain hike – 40 minute hike ) – to the 10th Watch Tower
    2) Taking a cable car up to the Great Wall -to the 14th Watch Tower
    3) Taking a chairlift to the Great Wall – to the 6th Watch Tower

    So you may walk up to the 10th Watch Tower and walk to the 14th Watch Tower, then take a cable car there to the ground; or hike to the 6th Watch Tower, then take a chairlife or speed slide down.
    Or You may take a cable car up to the 14th Watch Tower and walk to the 10th Watch Tower, then walk down the mountain, or go on with your hike to the 6th Watch Tower, then take a chairlife or speed slide down to the ground.
    Or you can take a chairlift up to the 6th Watch Tower, walk to the

31. Hello!
    We’re visiting Beijing and Shanghai on March 23-29. How’s the weather like at this time? Do we need to bring winter jackets or light jackets will do? Is Juyongguan side of the Great Wall good enough for first time visitors like us?
    Thanks!

32. Jing,

    The late March in Shanghai will see a relatively warmer weather than here in Beijing. It is still a bit chilly in late March in Beijing and a warmer Beijing normally comes in early April. So light jackets are still necessary, especially in Beijing, a city with possible sand storms in late March.

    Juyongguan section of the Great Wall has its own unique features with less commerial and few tourists compared with Badaling. It is not a bad idea to hike this section of the Wall for first-time visitors. Have a nice trip to Beijing!

33. How can i go to great wall from the hotel… Crowne Plaza Beijing Sun Palace Hotel
    Address : Yunnan Dasha NorthEast cor. Taiyonggong Bridge, Xibahe NorthEast 3rd Ring Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100028, People’s Republic of China

    How far is it? Normally how much would it cost if i take package tour?

    I would also love to visit the forbidden city…

34. Hello Lei,

    1. You may take the subway 13 from the nearest station of Shaoyajun （芍药居），and interchange at Dongzhimen Station (东直门) for Subway line 2.

    So you are on Subway Line 2, you can get to Bus 877 for Badaling Great Wall and also S Trains for Badaling Great Wall.

    Badaling Great Wall Bus 877: http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/travel-review/badaling-great-wall-bus/
    Badaling Great Wall S Trains: http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/how-to-visit-great-wall-by-train-visit-badaling-great-wall-by-train/

    2. You may pay US$ 20 to join in a local bus tour to visit Badaling Great Wall ( with English speaking tour guide): http://www.tour-beijing.com/coach_tours/badaling_great_wall_and_ming_tombs_tour.php

    3. Beijing City Bus Tour (Forbidden City): http://www.tour-beijing.com/coach_tours/forbidden_city_templ_of_heaven_summer_palace_bus_tour.php

35. Dear Sir,
    We planing to visit the Great Wall, we have three destination from Sri Lanka that our natoinal carrier operates ,namely.. Beijing , Shanghai , and Gaungzhou…, pls let us know that which is the nearest destination to visit the Great Wall..! Thank you very much.

36. Hello Fernando ,

    Beijing is the nearest destination to visit the Great Wall of China.

37. We planing to visit beijing on 10th april 2013 n offcourse we’ll visit great wall to. We would like to ask about the security we mean is there any pick pocket or such think. What we have to do to secure from those crime, but we hope beijing is the safe city, please inform us what we have to do to secure ourself……. Thank you
    Regard
    Ririk… Indonesia

38. Hello Ririk,

    Beijing is basically a safe city, but it doesn’t mean you should lower your vigilance on possible travel scams in Beijing. Please see the top 10 scams in Beijing to protect yourself:

    http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/china-travel/tourist-traps-in-china/top-10-tourist-scams-beijing/

    Have a good time in Beijing!

39. We will be visiting the great wall in May. Could you recommend some places to stay during our visit, the best part of the wall and what the weather is generally like mid May?

40. Hello Karrie,

    May is one of the best months to visit the Great Wall of China.

    1. For where to stay in the city of Beijing, please check the page of http://www.tour-beijing.com/hotel/where_to_stay_in_beijing.php

    2. For where to stay near the Great Wall around Beijing, please check the following pages:

    Juyongguan Great Wall Hotel:
    http://www.tour-beijing.com/travel_blog/great_wall_hiking/juyongguan_great_wall_hotel.php
    the Cummune by the Great Wall:
    http://www.tour-beijing.com/great_wall/the_commune_by_the_great-wall.php
    Great Wall Courtyard Inn:
    http://www.tour-beijing.com/great_wall/2_day_great_wall_hiking/courtyard_inn.php
    Huanghuacheng Fuwang Courtyard Farmhouse:
    http://www.tour-beijing.com/travel_blog/great_wall_hiking/fuwang_farmhouse_at_huanghuacheng_great_wall.php
    the Schoolhouse by the Mutianyu Great Wall:
    http://www.tour-beijing.com/great_wall/schoolhouse_by_mutianyu_great_wall.php
    Jinshanling Hotel:
    http://www.tour-beijing.com/travel_blog/great_wall_hiking/jinshanling_hotel.php
    the Chateau Changyu AFIP Global Beijing
    http://www.tour-beijing.com/great_wall/chateau_changyu_afiP_global_beijing.php

    3. Which section of the Great Wall?
    1) Traveling with kids or family member for leisure holiday, choose Mutianyu Great Wall
    2) Want to hike an original Great Wall, go to Jinshanling Great Wall

    4. As for the weather in May, please check the page of
    http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/beijing-tour-reviews/beijing-in-may-beijing-weather-in-may/

41. Sir, We already booked for vacation on beijing this coming Nov. 19 to 24, 2013. We plan to run in Great wall of china just for fun. Since this time is winter, what do you think and what would you advise to us? Thank you.

42. Hello Cacayan

    You are advised to visit the Mutianyu Great Wall in late November. It is cold and blustery on the Wall. It is better to wear warmly – a fur cap with earflaps, gloves, scarf, warm jackets and ther winter accessories.

43. Continuing

    Which wall i should attempt? I think I should visit Juyongguan Great Wall or Mutianyu Great Wall as evident from your blog. Please suggest.

    How much it should cost if i reserve a taxi for the whole journey?

44. Hello Ana，

    Yes， it is advisable to visit Mutianyu Great Wall on your first trip to Beijing. You have several ways to go to Mutianyu below:

    1. Taxi: around RMB 600 ( maybe you have to bargain with the taxi driver)

    2. Public bus to Mutianyu
    Take Bus No. 916 Express (916快）To Mutianyu Great Wall 慕田峪长城 (change bus at Huairou District)
    see the page: http://www.tour-beijing.com/public_bus/#dpth

    3. Hire a private car to Mutianyu Great　Wall
    See the page: http://www.tour-beijing.com/car_rental/

    4. Local bus tour to Mutianyu Great wall
    See the page： http://www.tour-beijing.com/coach_tours/
    Note： the bus tour has two prearranged shopping stops

45. Hi I’m staying at the Ibis Hotel in Chauyan, how do I get to the great wall?

    Thanking you in advance.

46. Hello Vernon Mudau,

    We couldn’t locate your hotel – Ibis Hotel in Chauyan. Maybe you have misspelled your hotel name. Is it Hotel ibis Beijing Sanyuan? If yes, you may go to Badaling Great Wall by bus or S Train.

    Take the airport express train from Sanyuan Station to Dongzhimen, then interchange for Subway Line 2 ( connect either bus station or Beijing North Railway Station ):

    If you’d like to take Bus 877 for Badaling, please check the page below:
    http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/travel-review/badaling-great-wall-bus/

    If you’d like to take S Train, please check the page below:

    http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/how-to-visit-great-wall-by-train-visit-badaling-great-wall-by-train/

    The above is just for your reference.

47. On a private tour during a six-to-eight-hour stopover at Beijing airport, what nearby section of the Great Wall could be combined with either the Summer Palace or the Forbidden City?

48. Hello Bill Grigg,

    You may visit Juyongguan Great Wall, the nearest section of the Wall to Beijing. See the page below:

    http://www.tour-beijing.com/travel_blog/great_wall_hiking/juyongguan_pass_great_wall.php

49. Ive already booked on 30th june-4th july,how about the weather? Is it apropiate to wear jacket or sweater? And i live in novotel hotel beijing ,is it too far?

50. Hello Tasya,

    30th june-4th julya is the summer time in Beijing and normally no need for wear jacket or sweater. Which novotel? Novotel Peace or Novotel Xinqiao is centrally located.

    Please check the historical weather data for more information below:

    http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/beijing-weather/beijing-in-june-beijing-weather-in-june/

    http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/beijing-weather/beijing-in-july-beijing-weather-in-july/

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