How to Plan a Great Wall Tour-Visit the Great Wall of China

The Great Wall is one of the must-see attractions for those who travel to China, but each section of the Great Wall has its own characteristics. Mutianyu Great Wall is covered with high vegetation; Simatai Great Wall is steep; Huanghuacheng Great Wall is connected with water. Then, which section of the Great Wall is the most suitable for you? How to get there? When to go?

Choose a Great Wall Section

The Great Wall of China is mainly distributed around Beijing, among which the Badaling Great Wall is the most popular one and attracts the most tourists. However, it is not recommended because of the poor experience.

On the other hand, Mutianyu Great Wall boasts lush vegetation, where you can enjoy the red leaves in autumn and take beautiful pictures. With well-equipped facilities such as cable car, Chairlift, and toboggan, it is suitable for people of all ages.

Select a Proper Time

The best time to visit the Great Wall is spring and autumn. But you'd better avoid traveling during public holidays, such as Labor Day (May 1st), Mid-Autumn Festival (August 15th of the lunar calendar), and National Day (October 1st), because Chinese people tend to travel during these holidays.

Spring in China lasts from March to May, while autumn lasts from September to November. The temperature in Beijing gradually warms up from March, and spring outing activities are also gradually increasing. All kinds of flowers bloom on the Great Wall during this period, adding a beautiful background to the Great Wall.

Compared with the peak season in summer vacation, there are fewer tourists from September to November except National Day and weekends, which is suitable for taking photos, and the traffic on the road is also relatively smooth.

Get to the Great Wall of China From Beijing

Most sections of the Great Wall are accessible by buses, and Badaling has opened a high-speed railway station. You can take the bullet train to Badaling Great Wall Railway Station.

Badaling Great Wall

Option 1: High-speed train

The high-speed train takes about 30 minutes from Qinghe Railway Station or Beijing North Railway Station to Badaling Great Wall Railway Station.

(Update on July 24th, 2024)

The prices are affordable. You can find more information about the bullet train on China Train.

Option 2: Tourist Bus

Operation Route: Qianmen Station to Badaling Great Wall

Depart Time in peak Season: 6: 30, 6: 45, 7: 00, 7: 15, 7: 30, 7: 45, 8: 00, 8: 15, 8: 30, 8: 45, 9: 00, 9: 15, 9: 30, 9: 45, 10: 00, 10: 15, 10: 30, 10: 45, 11: 00

Depart Time in off Season: 6: 30, 7: 00, 7: 30, 8: 00, 8: 30, 9: 00, 9: 30, 10: 00, 10: 30, 11: 00

Return Time: 12: 00-16: 00

Duration: 90 minutes

Cost: CNY 80 for a round trip

Note: the tourist bus need to be reserved before your journey. You can learn more about it on the website https://83531111.com/index.html#/showLine/39/12 (English version is available)

Option 3: Line S2

S2 departs from Huangtudian Railway Station, passing Badaling Railway Station, and the railway station is 800 meters away from the entrance of the Great Wall. It takes 80 minutes and costs CNY 16. Take Beijing Subway Line 2 or Line 13 and get off at Huoying Station, exit from G4, and walk 800 meters to reach Huangtudian Railway Station.

The trains operate on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and public holiday.

(Update on July 24th, 2024)

The trains operate on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Mutianyu Great Wall

Option 1: public bus

Take Beijing Subway Line 2 or Line 13 and get off at Dongzhimen Station. Exit from G and take 916 at Dongzhimen Hub Station to Huairou Beidajie Station. Then transfer to H 23 and get off at Xinying Station. Walk for 300 meters and you will arrive at Mutianyu Great Wall Scenic Area. The trip takes 2 hours and costs CNY 19.

Option 2: Mu Bus

Boarding place: Exit B of Dongzhimen Station

Jinshanling Great Wall

Option 1: normal speed train + taxi

Take a train from Beijing North Railway Station, Qinghe Railway Station or Changping North Railway Station to Gubikou with a ticket price of CNY 12, and then take a taxi from Gubikou to Jinshanling Great Wall with a fare of CNY40.

Option 2: Bus

Take Beijing Subway Line 2 or Line 13 to Dongzhimen Station, exit from E, walk 900 meters to Dongzhimenwai Station, and take the Jinshanling Shuttle Bus here.

Operation Route: Dongzhimenwai-Jinshanling

Operation Time: Departs at 9 o'clock at weekend and in public holiday. Returns at 16 o'clock.

Duration: 2 hours 40 minutes

Cost: CNY 50

A Private Transfer to the Great Wall

Contacting a reliable travel agency can make your Great Wall trip more enjoyable and relaxing. The transfer vehicle will not make any stops during the journey, taking you directly to your destination.

You can freely choose the type of vehicle based on the number of travelers, and if you have a lot of luggage, you can opt for a 7-seater vehicle, which won't feel too crowded. Private transfer vehicles are cleaner, more spacious, and offer greater privacy compared to taxis.

Moreover, a professional English-speaking guide will provide you with insights into the history of the Great Wall, while the driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the Great Wall scenic area or anywhere you want to go.

Beijing Capital International Airport to Mutianyu Great Wall layover tour

How Much Does it Cost to Visit the Great Wall

The entrance fee for the Great Wall range from CNY 60 to CNY 100, while the cable car or Chairlift tickets need to be paid separately. Taking the cable car or gondola is one of the best ways to explore the Great Wall, especially for the elderly or those with mobility issues, as it saves a lot of physical effort.

Completing a hike along a section of the Great Wall takes about 4 hours, and the total cost per person, including transportation, meals, and the optional cable car or Chairlift , is roughly CNY 300.

Great Wall Day Trip From Beijing

During the 1-day Great Wall tour, you will have a professional English-speaking guide to explain the history and significance of the Great Wall. A driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the scenic area. All you need to do is to appreciate your journey.

After exploring the Great Wall, lunch will be provided. Some sections of the Great Wall have cable cars or chairlifts, so you don't have to walk the entire way. The guide will inform you where to take the cable car and which route to follow, making your Great Wall hike a relaxing experience.

Hiking from the original Jiankou to Mutianyu Great Wall

Simatai to Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking Group Tour

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