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
I am in china a present, currently visiting a partner school in zibo. I am a teacher from the uk and have one day free on the 4th December in Beijing. Will I have time to see the wall? Which part is best for me to get to in a short time? Is it easy for me to get the bus/train as I don’t speak Chinese? Will I be safe traveling alone?
I appreciate any help you can give
Hello Ross goldsmith,
Basically it is safe to travel along in Beijing. Beijing is an international city with lots of English signes for your directions. Please find the two useful posts blow:
1. Visit Badaling Great Wall by S Train
http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/how-to-visit-great-wall-by-train-visit-badaling-great-wall-by-train/
2. Top Beijing tourist scams:
http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/china-travel/tourist-traps-in-china/top-10-tourist-scams-beijing/
I was wondering what days the Great Wall is closed because I have a friend coming during the Chinese new yer and I was curious to see if it would be closed or not.
Hello Oscar,
Basically the Great Wall is open 365 days every year. No worry about that.
Hi..is it safe to visit the wall with small kids.. Age 1-2 yrs.. Strollers can be used conveniently or not? Thnx
Hello Naeem,
I seldom see people walking on the Wall with their kids by using strollers. In most cases, people just carry their kids or binding their kids to their chests or backs. Have a great time in Beijing.
hello can u help me im goin to beijing in feb 2015 on the 16th of to the 23th of feb but it is Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) when im going. Are things still open? and can i still go to the great wall and how biz will it be. Thanks Jason 🙂
Hello Jason,
Everything goes as usual during Chinese spring festival, all the major attractions including the Great Wall open, and restaurants…Have a great time in Beijing!
Check out the link below for more information on winter activities in Beijing:
http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/beijing-winter-tour/
Hello,
I want to visit the great wall in late january, but some people says that the weather makes impossible to see anything, is this true?
Hello DIEGO QUINTERO,
The Great Wall near Beijing is open all year round. It all depends. If bad luck follows you with a hazy day, you won’t have a distant visibility of the massive Great Wall. On a fine and sunny day, you can see the Wall clearly. Hope you have a beautiful weather on that particular day!
Hi,
We have 5hrs 20 mins between two flights. Is it possible to see the wall during this time?
Thanks
Claire
Hello Claire Wilkinson,
Basically, no, you’d better off arranging your time inside the airport, too short time for an excursion to the Great Wall given Beijing’s large size and heavy traffic.
Is it safe to visit Beijing and Great Wall just with my teenage daughter?
Hello Thelma,
Basically it is safe to travel Beijing and the Great Wall of China in Beijing.
Below is the top 10 tourist scams in Beijing
http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/china-travel/tourist-traps-in-china/top-10-tourist-scams-beijing/
Have a good time in Beijing!
Hi!
My husband and I are planning to travel to China next year in March/April. We will of course see the The Great Wall. We’re not such a fan of group tours and would like to see the Wall on our own:-)
We also want to stay over night close to the wall before returning to Beijing.
Where would you recommend us to see the great wall, chinese nature and hotell nearby the Wall and get there on our own? we will travel from Beijing.
Milla
Hello Milla,
We suggest three sections of the Great Wall.
1. Jinshanling Great Wall
You may stay overnight at Jinshanling Hotel near the Wall.
Jinshanling Hotel:
http://www.tour-beijing.com/travel_blog/great_wall_hiking/jinshanling_hotel.php
How to visit Jinshanling Great Wall:
http://www.tour-beijing.com/travel_blog/great_wall_hiking/hike_from_jinshanling_great_wall_to_simatai_great_wall.php
2. Juyongguan Great Wall
Juyongguan Great Wall Hotel:
http://www.tour-beijing.com/travel_blog/great_wall_hiking/juyongguan_great_wall_hotel.php
How to Visit Juyongguan Great Wall:
http://www.tour-beijing.com/travel_blog/great_wall_hiking/juyongguan_pass_great_wall.php
3. Badaling Great Wall
The Great Wall Courtyard Inn:
http://www.tour-beijing.com/great_wall/2_day_great_wall_hiking/courtyard_inn.php
How to visit Badaling Great wall
http://www.tour-beijing.com/travel_blog/great_wall_hiking/badaling_great_wall.php
Hey 🙂
We are doing our semester abroad in Hong Kong and are planning our trip to Beijing against recommendations during the chinese holidays (1. October – 3rd October). Just because we have enough time at this time.
So my question now i: Which part of the Wall would be the one that isn’t that crowded? How do we get there? And is it better do go on the 1st, 2nd or 3rd?
Thanks in advance
Claudia
Hello Claudia,
Jinshanling Great Wall is comparatively less crowded than Badaling, Mutianyu and Juyongguan sections of the Great Wall.
It is better go on October 03. It is very hard and tough to use the public transport to get to Jinshanling Great Wall,especially during the holiday. You may book an English speaking join-in group tour visiting Jinshanling Great Wall: Free hotel pick-up, the tour price is very reasonable without any shopping stops.
Please check out the link below and book online:
http://www.tour-beijing.com/coach_tours/jinshanling_great_wall_bus_tour.php
Have a good time in Beijing!
Hello
Does the free 72hr visitors visa cover me for visiting the Great Wall or is it best to get a full visa?
Hello Niall,
If you are eligible for 72 hours trainsit visa, you are able to visit the Great Wall around Beijing.
Hi,
I’m visiting Badaling Great Wall next month. Should I take the cable up to the 8th tower and than walk down or vice versa? Which is better. Taking photos in the morning is more beautiful or in the afternoon? Thank you so much
Hello Peter,
Personally I prefer first to take a cable car up to the 8th tower, then generally hike down to the 12 tower. It makes no big difference whether taking photos in the morning or in the afternoon since the Wall snaking in the north-south direction.
Hi, I’m planning to visit Jinshanling, Simatai and Mutianyu Great Wall in early December. Is it possible to cover all 3 in a day or should I take 2 days for the visit? Thanks for your help.
Hello Joo,
It is better to make a 2-day tour to cover the 3 sections of the Wall.
My layover in Beijing is over night. Are any parts of the Great Wall illuminated so that if I hired a driver and drove out there I could at least SEE the Wall when it is dark?
Hi Dawn,
No, as far as I know no parts of the Wall are illuminated. Welcome back at your most convenience!
Hello – we leave for Shanghai tomorrow and are planning two days in Beijing. Given that it is fall, what are the recommended parts of the wall to see. Also, what would be the best transportation to get from downtown Beijing? Thanks so much for posting – this has been VERY helpful!
Hi Lowell,
I suggest you go to Badaling Great Wall since this section of the Wall is easily reached by rail. Please read the following article regarding how to visit Badaling Great Wall by train:
how to visit Badaling Great Wall by train
http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/how-to-visit-great-wall-by-train
what’s the best way to get there from the airport? will be flying in from Shanghai that morning
Hi Luke,
Awfully sorry for my delayed reply!
You first take the Beijing airport express train and get off at the final station of Dongzhimen ( 东直门), then interchange for subway line 2 and get off at the station of Xizhimen (西直门) and exit exit from Exit A, then you will see Beijing North Railway Station. You take the S strain from Beijing North Railway Station to Badaling Great Wall.
These is a really really useful guide.
Thank you very much for these great work.
The timetable was precise and worked for us.
We Used the smart traveling card. It would be good to call it the Beijing Metro Card. I was unsure if you mean these.
Thank you for your great work.
Hi Alexander,
Thanks for your update! We will use “Beijing Metro Card” to avoid any misunderstanding. Thanks！
Hi, this is a fantastic site and I’ve really enjoyed reading through all your valuable advice but wonder if you could help me. I’m looking at doing a walk to raise money for charity, around 600 miles in two weeks so 42 miles a day. Is there a stretch of the wall that this is possible or can you give me any advice on arranging this. The distance and time isn’t a problem but some advice on logistics would be really helpful. Thanks in advance.
Hi Darren,
Greetings from Beijing!
So you want to be a hero to hike the Great Wall of China for charity. But it seems hiking 67km (approx. 42 miles ) a day is very much challenging. Basically it takes 5 hours to walk for 5km. Walking on the rugged and harsh sections of the Great Wall takes a bit longer time. Walking 67 km on the treacherous Great Wall a day seems a mission impossible.
You may walk along the Great Wall to the east direction till the eastern tip of the Wall at Old Dragon’s Head of Shanhaiguan by Bohai Sea. The Great Wall from Beijing to Shanhaiguan Great Wall doesn’t form a continuous line and in fact exits in different sections for historical and geographical reasons.
There are some natural villages at the base of the Great Wall, some of them are very old, which once also served as the garrisons or the living areas for the families of the soldiers who stationed on the nearby Great Wall. These ancient villages can be used as your logistics bases.
1) Please check out the link below ( There is a Hebei Great Wall Map on the page): the Great Wall from Beijing to Old Dragon’s Head of Shanhaiguan by Bohai Sea. The Wall from Huangyaguan Great Wall ( to the east ) belongs to Hebei Province.
http://www.tour-beijing.com/great_wall/hebei/
1) Please check out the link below ( There is a Beijing Great Wall Map on the page): the Great Wall from Beijing to Changyucheng to Jiangjuguan.
http://www.tour-beijing.com/great_wall/
Hope the information above could be a little bit useful for you. Have a Great Time in China!
Hi,
Where is the best place/site to pre-purchase tickets? We are looking to visit a few sections of the wall during our stay in Beijing (feb. 4-9). Are there any vendors in the city, or do you recommend online?
Thanks,
Hi Sarah,
As far as I know, there are neither vendors nor online agents selling tickets only for the sections of the Great Wall around Beijing. You may just pay cash to buy the admission tickets at the ticketing offices at the different sections of the Wall.
Hi,
We want to visit Great Wall but we will be in Shanghai.
What is the best way to travel from shanghai and which part of Wall we should visit.
We have a day for complete journey.
Madhav
Hi Madhav，
1. You may take the high speed train from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station to Beijing South Railway Station, which takes about 5-6 hour. Or you may take flight from Shanghai to Beijing.
2. If you only have one day, you should take the early morning flight from Shanghai to Beijing, and late evening flight back to Shanghai. The one way flight takes about one and half hour. When you arrive at Beijing airport, you may hire a taxi or arrange your own transport in advance bringing you to Mutianyu Great Wall and back to the airport and fly back to Shanghai.
Mutinayu Great Wall is highly recommended.
Just for your reference.
Hello,
I’ll be visiting Beijing on April 22nd and I would like to visit the Great Wall. I’m arriving to Beijing South rail station from Shanghai. Which kind of transport should I take and which part of the Wall would be the best for me?
Hi Hudson Almeida,
In your case, you may take the S train from Beijing North Railway Station to Badaling Great Wall. Check out the link below for more information:
http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/how-to-visit-great-wall-by-train
By the way, you can easily take the subway line 4 going from Beijing South Railway Station to Beijing North Railway Station. You take the subway line 4 directly from Beijing South going in the north direction and get off at the 9th station of Xizhimen (西直门) and exit from Exit A2 and you will see Beijing North Railway Station. Have a nice trip!
Hello!…
I read all your complete information. Thanks.
Just one question, I will visit Badaling side by April 25th.
– This side open Monday to Sunday?.
– How to purchase the entrance ticket? online if possible or just in the Badaling’s ticket house?.
Thanks!!!,
Bruno R.
Hi Bruno,
Badaling Great Wall is open all year round. You can buy your entrance ticket at the ticketing office, very easy with a big sign leading to the ticketing window. Have a good time!
Hello ,
I will Visit Beijing during May 5th and 6th.. How would be the temperature / climate there during this period. Would I need to carry jackets if its too cold. Also I want to visit Great wall of China. Which part would be best for me and I will be alone.. Need I to take a Fast train to the great wall ?
Need I to book in advance online or I can get the tickets directly after going there .. ?
Thank you in advance for your guidance ..
Thanks
Hi Rohit,
1. For the early May temperature and what to wear, please check out the link below:
http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/beijing-tour-reviews/beijing-in-may-beijing-weather-in-may
2. If you travel along and want to use public transport ( S train ), you choose Badaling Great Wall. Check out the link below on how to go to Badaling Great Wall by train.
3. Yes, you buy your entrance ticket on the spot at the ticketing office at the Wall.
Please warn everyone of the lady at the bus station that will tell you to take bus 980 instead of 916 to Mutianyu! It is a scam!
The bus will drop you off at a station with Private taxi drivers in liaise with the lady! She looks like an official but she is not!
Hi
I will be in Shenyang on coming July.I will be free on one day. I like to know how to Visit Great Wall of China in that day. How can I visit great wall by one day economically from Shenyang.
Thanks
Amal
Hi Amal,
You may first take the overnight train Z118 ( 02:19 – 8:36 ) from Shenyang to Beijing, the earliest train arriving at Beijing Railway Station on that day from Shenyang. The take the subway line 2 at Beijing Railway Station and get off at Xizhimen Staion for the S train going from Beijing North Railway Station for Badaling Great Wall. See the tips for visiting Great Wall of China by train: http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/how-to-visit-great-wall-by-train
After visiting Badaling Great Wall, back on the S train to Beijing North Railway Station and take the subway line 4 and get off at Beijing South Railwat Station where you take the latest high speed train G 239 ( 17:00 – 21:01) from Beijing to Shenyang.
Just for your reference! Have a good trip to Beijing!
Hi
Thank you so much for the information. Do we have to book tickets early in order to get in trains Z 118 and G 239?
Thanks
Amal
Hi Amal,
Yes, you may book your train tickets 10 or 15 days in advance. The overnight train Z118 is a bit hard to come by. Good luck!
Is it possible to visit both Juyongguan and Badaling on the same day?
Hi – I land at Beijing airport on 21st May at 10:30am … I want to drop off my bags at my hotel near the airport and head immediately to the Great Wall. I would ideally like to see both Juyongguan and Badaling and return to Beijing by the night
Is this possible to do? Are there are public transport options (train, bus) to these locations? If not, what is the most recommended transport option? Do I need to book this transport ahead of time and what is the approximate cost – can I pay in USD or does it have to be local currency?
Lots of questions – Thanks in advance for your replies
Cheers,
Ramanan