Top 9 Sections of the Great Wall to Visit in Beijing
With a total length of 21,196 kilometers, it’s estimated the Great Wall would take an average visitor 18 months to walk. But generally, no matter how interested you are in exploring the wall, it is unlikely for you to have 18 months spare to do this hike.
So which sections should you choose to see? This article lists general information about the best sections of the Great Wall to visit.
1. Mutianyu: Fully-Restored, Most Child-Friendly Section
- Location: Huairou County, Beijing
- Distance From Beijing: 72.4km (45 miles), 1½ hours' drive
- Features: Better-restored shape with the most intense watchtowers
- Tour time: Half a day
- Facilities: cable cars or chairlifts up/down and toboggan down
- Ideal for: Family, Senior travelers, and travelers who have a short time
The Mutianyu Section has a better-restored shape with the most intense watchtowers compared to other sections.
This longest fully-restored section of the Great Wall was rebuilt with smooth and even steps, which are child-friendly. Former First Lady Michelle Obama visited it.
It is quiet with fewer travelers compared to the Badaling Great Wall section.
2. Jinshanling: Most Popular Section for Hiking
- Location: Chengde, Hebei
- Distance From Beijing: 130 km (80 miles), about 2½ hours' drive
- Features: A partially repaired wall with many authentic watch towers.
- Tour Time: A day
- Facilities: cable car
- Ideal for: travelers who want to explore the original wall
The wall at Jingshanling is partially repaired with many authentic watch towers on the wall. Jinshanling is known for its high density of watchtowers, with 67 well-preserved watchtowers along 6.5 miles (10.5 km) of the wall.
It is the most popular hiking route. On the way, you will climb steep steps and go through authentic watch towers.
The scenery is Breathtaking. Most of the stunning Great Wall pictures are taken in this section. The section spans along a mountain ridge, offering a beautiful backdrop and amazing panoramic views.
3. Simatai: The Section Opens at Night
- Location: Miyun County, Beijing, 120km (75 miles), 2 hours' drive
- Features: wild wall, the only section opens at night
- Tour Time: a day
- Facilities: Cable Car, battery carts
- Ideal for: Adventure seekers, hikers
Simatai is a steep section of the unrepaired Great Wall. Some part of it is very steep which close to that in the Jiankou Great Wall. It traverses clifftop mountains and dips into valleys; however, it is safer than the Jiankou.
The wall opens at night with the Great Wall illuminated by lights tracing along the mountain ridges, creating an enchanting spectacle.
At the foot of the wall lies Gubei Water Town. There you can enjoy a serene boat ride or even choose to stay overnight for a uniquely tranquil night.
Recommended tour: Night Tour on Unrestored Wild Great Wall
4. Jiankou: Steepest and Most Challenging Section
- Location: Huairou County, Xizhazi Village, 98km (60.9 miles), 2½ hours' drive
- Features: A completely wild wall, extremely steep
- Tour Time: a whole day
- Activities: Hiking
- Ideal for: adventure seekers. hikers
Jiankou is famous for its steepness. It is a largely untouched wild wall with some parts completely crumbled and collapsed.
Jiankou is extremely steep and challenging, with slopes over 80 degrees; some parts are closed due to danger.
The scenery of the wall is dramatic with the grey wall ruins meandering through mountain peaks.
Recommended tour: 1-day Jiankou Great Wall Hiking Tour
5. Huanghuacheng
- Location: Huairou County, Beijing
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Distance From Beijing: 60 kilometers (37 miles), 1½ hours’ drive
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Features: a blend of the ancient wall and lake scenery
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Tour Time: A day
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Facilities: cruise boats
The Huanghuacheng Great Wall is located beside a lake. It forms a unique blend of the ancient wall and the lake scenery. Sections of the wall lead directly into the water so this great wall section is also called the"Water Great Wall".
The wall is stunning in spring when the mountains are covered in wildflowers.
The Huanghuacheng Great Wall is easily accessible yet less crowded compared to sections like Badaling and Mutianyu.
6. Gubeikou: a Gentle Wild Wall
- Location: Miyun County, Beijing
- Distance From Downtown Beijing: 146 kilometers (90 miles); 2 hours’ drive.
- Tour time: A day
- Activities: Hiking and photography
The Gubeikou Great Wall is a completely unrepaired section. However, It features gentle slopes and is not very challenging. It is suitable for family trips, including children.
Thanks to its strategic position, this place served as a battlefield for over 130 wars between Chinese royal families and marauding Mongol tribesmen.
The Gubeikou Great Wall is close to some other famous sections such as Jinshanling, Simatai, and Jiankou. The Gubeikou to Jinshanling hiking route is very popular among hikers. If you want to explore more, you can even extend your hiking trip to Simatai.
This section of the wall is very quiet with much fewer travelers, compared to more popular sections like Badaling, and Mutianyu.
Remember to find an experienced local guide when you visit this section of the Wall because without knowing the stories of battles that happened here, the site won’t really come alive to you.
7. Juyongguan - the Wall closest to Beijing
- Location: Changping District, Beijing
- Distance From Downtown Beijing: 60 km (37 miles), 1.5 hours' drive
- Tour Time: about 2 hours
- Activities: sightseeing
- Facilities: Wheelchair access
- Ideal for: Travelers with limited time or seeking a convenient trip, and travelers who want to explore more of the Great Wall's history.
Juyongguan Great Wall is close to Beijing, which is only about 37 miles (60 km) from Beijing.
This section has numerous relics and ruins that showcase the wall's military history.
Because it is close to Beijing, this section of the wall is always crowded.
8. Huangyaguan: The Great Wall Marathon Site
- Location: Jizhou County, Tianjin
- Distance From Downtown Beijing: about 120 kilometers (75 miles); more than 2 hours’ drive
Huangyaguan Great Wall is well repaired. The Great Wall Marathon is held on the Huangyaguan Great Wall each year in May.
It is the quietest repaired Great Wall section. You will find almost no travelers on the way.
Transportation:
- From Beijing: Take a bus from Sihui Bus Station to Jixian County. The bus runs from 6:30 to 19:30, about every 15 minutes. After your arrival at Jixian County, get a taxi to the destination.
- From Tianjin: Take a bus from Hebei Bus Station in Tianjin to Jixian County. After you arrive at Jixian County, catch a taxi to the Wall. This journey takes one hour.
9. Badaling: Most Crowded Section
- Location: Yanqing County, Beijing
- Distance From Downtown Beijing: 72.4km (45 miles), 1½ hours drive
- Tour time: Half a day
- Facilities: a cable car, Great Wall Museum, some wheelchair access
- Ideal for: Travelers who have a very short time or who are in a rush.
- Features: Very popular among Chinese travelers. It is Crowded all year around, especially in the summer holidays in July and August.
Explore the Great Wall with China Travel
The Great Wall is definitely a must for any travelers to Beijing. Join China Travel to explore this majestic ancient wonder. Experience its grandeur and admire the stunning scenery while walking or hiking. Contact us now to book a Great Wall tour.