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

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).

Crowds at Badaling Great Wall during public holidays.

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.

The Map of the Sections of the Great Wall of China around Beijing

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。

Juyongguan Grea tWall
Juyongguan Great Wall

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.

Badaling Great Wall
Badaling Great Wall

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.

Mutianyu Great Wall
Mutianyu Great Wall

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 WallJinshanling Great Wall, Gubeikou Great WallHuanghuacheng 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.

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.

Gubeikou Great Wall


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.

Simatai Great Wall


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.

Shixiaguan Great Wall


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.

Huanghuacheng Great Wall


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

Take the S Train from Beijing Huangtudian Railway Station to Badaling

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.

The gentle ramp leads to the Badaling Great Wall.
The gentle ramp leads to the Badaling 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 steep ramp at Mutianyu Great Wall
The steep ramp at 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.

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

  1. Hi Ramanan,

    Basically it is impossible to visit the two sections of the Wall using the public transport from Beijing airport and back to the airport within half a day.

    Your request has been sent to our service center. One of our staff members will contact you later today with quotations for private transfer, or plus English speaking guide service.

    Have a good time in Beijing!

  2. Hello,

    I will have a 19 hour stopover in Beijing on 25 September (Sunday) and I can get a 72 hour visa. I’ll arrive at 5 am and leave at 1 am (26 September). Do you think it is enough time to visit the Great Wall? My budget is limited since I’m a student, so what trAnsport is the best/easiest if I start at airport and what’s the price for it? I want to be back at the airport at 9 pm, so I don’t miss my flight.

    Thank you for your help!

  3. Hi Giota,

    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 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. Retrace on the same route when you finish your visit to Badaling Great Wall.

    See the link below to know more information on how to visit Great Wall of China by train:
    http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/how-to-visit-great-wall-by-train

  4. I am a study abroad student at Chongqing University. There is a group of 13 of us (or less) trying to make a trip to the great wall between July 1st and 4th. A few locals have told us not to try it. Can it work?

  5. Hi Kelli,

    Welcome to Beijing!

    Why not to try it? Because it is too hot in summer? It is a great fun to hike the Great Wall of China. You are suggested to hike Mutiianyu Great Wall, beautiful view and less crowded.

    1. You can book a local group tour ( no shopping ) listed as below:
    http://www.tour-beijing.com/coach_tours/bns_1.php

    2. Alternatively you can go the do-it-yourself route by taking local public buses ( see below ):
    http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/how-to-get-to-mutianyu-great-wall-by-bus

    Have a good time in China!

  6. Hi,

    I” have a saturday morning free in beijing, is it possible to see the great wall and be back in beijing at 1400 ?

    thanks

  7. Hi Jorge,

    It depends on the way of how you get to the Great Wall and which section of the Wall you are going to visit.

    1. Hire a private car
    If you are going to hire a car, you can save much time on the route and you can make it. Suggest you visit Mutianyu Great Wall if you are going to rent a car.

    2. If you are going to use public transport, you may choose to visit Badaling Great Wall by S Train or by Bus.

    Get to Badaling Great Wall by S Train
    http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/how-to-visit-great-wall-by-train

    Get to Badling Great Wall by bus
    http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/travel-review/badaling-great-wall-bus

    If you can catch the first train or bus, you can make it.

    Have a good time in Beijing!

  8. Hi,

    I want to take my parents to Great Wall. They need wheelchair and assistance. does your company provide half a day tour to Great Wall Badaling section ? Can you share the price for visit and Wheelchair?

    thank you.

  9. Hi Lokesh,

    Thanks for your inquiry! One our staff members will contact for the details. Much appreciated for your patience!

  10. Hi ,
    can you suggest me for the best transportation to ride from my hotel beijing sicli hotel in 12 Zuo’anmen Inner St, Dongcheng, Beijing, China going to Badaling Great wall with (roundtrip cable car) ?and how much the total cost for roundtrip cable car and entrance fee ?first time to travel in china.thank you so much

  11. Hi Daniel
    There will be 4 of us travelling to Mutianyu. Will we fit in one taxi? I wonder how many passengers taxis accept in Beijing or whether it’s better to hire a large people mover and how you go about it. What’s your view?
    Thanks
    Tess

  12. Hi, I and my wife will stay in Beijing from 1 -4 Nop 2017.
    We want go to Great Wall. Which tour packet do you offer to us ?
    How much the cost ?

    Thanks a lot

  13. Hi me and a friend want to do the great wall.

    However I am a keen walker (and casual hiker) and she loves hiking. I was wondering is it safe for one of us to do one day and then the other to do longer? I want to visit as many muesums as I can in Beijing whilst I’m there. I was thinking about a privet tour for msyelf as I want to learn about the history ect. Whlist I am pretty sure that my friend would prefer to hike along the great wall for a few days.

    Any thoughts?

    Cat.

  14. Hi Cat,

    It seems it is hard for me to give you any perfect thoughts in your case. But one thing is sure that you both should make a compromise as where to visit together in Beijing.

    You also can visit Beijing separately: you can visit the musuems in Beijing on your own while your friend can take the following group tours or private tours hiking the Wall. Check out the pages below:

    Beijing Group tours ( Including Great Wall ):
    http://www.tour-beijing.com/coach_tours/

    Beijing Great Wall Hike Private tours:
    http://www.tour-beijing.com/great_wall/

    Nothing is perfect. Just do what you feel like to do.

  15. Are there any organized tours to Great wall from the airport or hotels in airport

  16. Dear Ajay K,

    Thanks for your inquiry! Basically We offer complimentary pick up service from your hotel located within the third ring road in Beijing. For pickup service for the hotels beyond the third ring road in Beijing, please contact our trip advisors for the detailes.

    Check out the link below for more information:

    http://www.tour-beijing.com/coach_tours/

  17. Be advised there was a man who “helps” foreigners as they get on the 916 bus then has them get off at a different Haioru stop (quite far from Bei Da street), and offers to take everyone via his minivan to the wall for 25rmb each (x6 people caught him his trap). I managed to get him to drop it to 20 per person but the other naive tourists willingly agreed to whatever price because he seemed helpful. He mentioned that he goes back and forth all day on the 916 bus running this operation.

  18. hi Daniel, we plan to visit in mid September this year to great wall of china with my parents in their 60s and a 3 year old kid. what advisory can you provide us? which section to visit? we will prefer lesser crowded section with natural beauty around. mobility options in the interiors for older people?

    many thanks in advance.

  19. Dear Rachna,

    Thanks for your inquiry! For visitors traveling with their seniors and kids, we suggest visiting Mutianyu Great Wall, less crowded with beautiful green environment.

    Taking the cable up to the high place on the mountain just below the Tower 14. There are easy steps leading from the cable station to the open platform below the Tower 14. Retrace on the same travel route.

    Read the following travel blog to learn more about Mutianyu Great Wall ( but we don’t suggest using the public bus to get to the Wall for seniors.)

    Enjoy your trip!

  20. I arrive in PEK at 2:25 PM on Monday August 7. My connection out is not until the next morning. What are the visiting hours for the Great Wall? Are there any options to do a visit then or is it too late in the day? (I don’t have any other plans that day).
    Suggestions? Cost for various options?
    Thanks

  21. Is the great wall open very day of the year, even holidays (unless being repaired)? For instance, will it be open on New Years eve December 31?

  22. Hi,
    I want to visit the Greta wall of China.
    Reading your blog, I have decided to visit – Juyongguan Great Wall, Badaling Great Wall, and Mutianyu Great Wall.
    I hope this will cover the best part of the wall. Let me know if I am correct.
    Also few questions –
    1. What is the entrance ticket cost for each of the wall.
    2. How many will it require to cover these 3 section of the wall.
    3. Direction to reach to these walls from beijing.

    Thanks
    Regards, Arindam Mitra

  23. Hi. We will be travelling Dec 31. Is it possible to go to Badaling Great Wall in the morning and spend the evening at Birds Nest? Thank you. (Travel via subway)

  24. Dear Patricia,

    Thanks for your inquiry!

    Yes, you can first visit Badaling Great Wall in the morning and visit the Birds Net in the evening.

  25. Hi,

    My fiancé and I will be arriving PEK Airport at 5:30am and have a 13hr and 25mins stop over. What tours would your recommend? Should we use public transportation or join a group tour? And what are the details for your tour? Would they pick us up at the airport? Are we allowed to bring our carry ons with us?

  26. Dear Floren,

    Happy New Year!

    One of our trip advisors will contact you for the details soon. Much appreciated!

  27. Wow, nice post. This article will help all the travellers. You describe nicely, how to visit the Great Wall of China around Beijing. Yes, all the sections in Beijing of the Great Wall are open to tourists all year round, but September, October and November are the best months for travelling. There are so many travel companies are available to help travellers. Recently I had to china with my college friend. We travelled there by help Beijing Transfer Tours. We stayed 4days in China.

  28. Nice post. This article will help all the travellers. You describe nicely, how to visit the Great Wall of China around Beijing.

  29. Hi! We are staying near Beijing west rail station. What is best way to get to Wall by public transport? Thank you!

  30. Dear Yasmin Palmer,

    First, you take the subway line 9 at Beijing West Railway Station to the north direction and get off at the 4th station of National Library, then interchange
    for Subway line 4 and get off at the second station of Xizhimen, then again interchange for Subway Line 13 and get off at the 8th station Huoying.
    At Huoying Station ( 霍营站) and exit from Exit G4. The Exit G4 is only 110 meters to the northwest of Huangtudian Railway Station (黄土店站).

    From Huangtudian Railway Station, you take s train to Badaling Great Wall.

    For more related informaiton, please check out the link below:

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

    Have a nice time in Beijing!

  31. We will have a 24 hour layover in Shanghai. Is that enough time to get up to beijing to see the great wall and back to the airport?

  32. Dear Tonya,

    Thanks for your inquiry!

    We don’t know how much visiting daytime can be used from your 24-hour layover time. But basically we suggest you come to Beijing next time at your most convenience. Kind Regards.

  33. Hello,

    I am currently in Beijing with a friend and would like to hike along a not so touristy of the Great Wall.
    I’ve seen that you have several posts but they are quite old and in afraid the information might not be so accurate today. We would like to hike through a (preferably unrestored) part of the wall and also enjoy some nice natural scenery and views. Ideally the hike should be challenging but not require any extra gear. What would you recommend?

    Thank you!

  34. Dear Facundo,

    Thanks for your inquiry!

    I suggest you can choose the hike from Jiankou Grreat Wall to Mutianyu Great Wall.

    Please check out the two links below:

    1) Travel Blog: Hike from Jiankou to Mutianyu Great Wall
    https://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/hike-from-jiankou-to-mutianyu-great-wall

    2) Day Tour: Hike from Jiankou to Mutianyu Great Wall
    https://www.tour-beijing.com/hiking_tours/jiankou_mutianyu_great_wall.php

    Any questions, please email us at [email protected]

    Have a good time in Beijing!

  35. Hello Daniel!
    First of thank you for all these valuable information. I have a layover at Beijing airport for 26 hours. My air China fight will reach Beijing at 11.30 am and as per my calcualtion, I can assume that it will take at least 1 hour to clear all the formalities and reach outside the Beijing airport.
    My query is that can I make up to Mutiyanu great wall and also come back to the airport on the same day? What can be the most suitable option for me and my 2 friends to do this? Is that 650 yuan taxi price for a one-way trip?

  36. Hello
    I will be in Beijing for a long stopover October 4th, 2019 from 10am till 6pm, obviously I don’t have time to wonder around by myself and I want to squeeze a quick visit to the wall , forbidden city..
    can you arrange it for me?
    Thank you

  37. Dear Hala,

    Thanks for your inquiry! It seems you are pressed for time to visit the Great Wall of China and Forbidden City during your transit period. It will be very much crowded due to our national holiday ( Oct 01 – 07).

    For Beijing layover tours, please check out the link below:

    https://www.tour-beijing.com/short-tours/

    For a tailor-made layover tour, please email us at [email protected] .

    Have a good time in Beijing!

  38. Hi
    My wife and I are flying into Beijing in October, late on a Sunday night staying that night at an airport hotel.
    We need to catch a cruise in Tiajin Port which departs at 1800hrs the following day (Monday).
    Which would be the best area of Wall to visit?
    Would we have time to do this and what would be the best way.
    I was thinking of leaving our luggage at the hotel and then collecting it from there on our way back to Tiajin.
    Sounds a bit tight given that we need to get in to the ship for the embarkation process etc.
    Any advice would be welcome- thanks!

  39. Dear Nick Vinales,

    Yes, it is a bit pressed for time. I suggest you hire a van with driver which can accommodate both of you and you large suitcases.

    Get up early starting 7:30 am from your hotel and get to Mutianyu Great Wall around 9:30am. At noon back from the wall and drive directly from Mutianyu Great Wall to Tianjin Cruise Port instead of going to your hotel to pick your suitcases.

    Good Luck!

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