Visiting the Great Wall of China is on the bucket list of many travelers. After all, it is considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World. But even if we all know about its grandeur, visiting the Great Wall is a unique experience. You’ll get to understand with your own eyes what it means to have a wall that is more than 6000 kilometers before your eyes. You’ll also be able to almost “smell” the power of a landmark that has been constructed from the 7th century BC and has impacted China’s history to make it become the nation is today.

Being one of the most visited attractions in China, there are several tours offered to visit the Great Wall of China, but no tour is the same.

In any case, here’s an essential guide for visiting the Great Wall of China, so that you can organize your trip at best and get the most out of it!

What is The Great Wall of China?

Before we start, let’s make things clear about what this popular Chinese landmark is. The Great Wall is a human-built construction across the north of China, aiming at protecting the big country from invaders. It represents a series of walls built across centuries by several dynasties, starting in the 7th century BC.

Why Visit The Great Wall of China?

Visiting the Great Wall of China is the experience of a lifetime. Being able to walk around construction built centuries ago, filled with history and surrounded by incredible natural beauty is an adventure that will leave a mark on you. This Wall is one of the oldest man-made construction and it is an icon of mankind’s history that is worth to see and to explore.

Make sure you allocate enough time for your visit and that you chose a section that is just right for you. It doesn’t matter if you choose the “easiest” section to explore or you decide to go for a 5 hours hike on the wall, each adventure will leave you with a great feeling.

Furthermore, the adventure of getting there and the different experiences you can get from the different sections make visiting the Great Wall a unique and incredible experience, which will provide you with lasting memories.

Which Sections of the Wall are the Best to Visit?

There is not a one fits all answer to these questions, as it comes down to your preferences. Here are some popular sections.

• Badaling is the most visited section of the Wall. It is close to Beijing and probably the most easily accessible part, with several hotels in the area, restaurants and even a cable car. The section is not very steep, so everyone can explore the 4km of the wall without struggles.
• Mutianyu is very popular and equipped with several facilities, which make this section particularly suitable for children and elders. It is one of the best-known sections and it is exceptionally well-preserved. However, it tends to get quite crowded.
• Jiankou is the best section if you’re a hiking lover. The section is pretty steep but surrounded by wonderful mountains that give you a breath-taking view on the wall. It is less crowded than other sections, but father from Beijing. The view you’ll get will be worth the 2.5 hours to get there, you’re guaranteed!
• Simatai is the section you should visit if you’re looking to avoid crowds. Furthermore, it is open at night as well, which gives you the opportunity of having a unique experience of your visit.

Regardless of which section you chose to visit, make sure you wear comfortable shoes which will allow you to explore the wall walking. Remember that some parts of the Wall are steeper than others, so ensure that you have a good pair of hiking boots or good walking shoes.

When to visit The Great Wall of China?

Everything looks better when it is not packed with people. Being surrounded by many tourists might not allow you to fully enjoy your experience at the Great Wall of China.

If you want to avoid huge crowds and get the best weather conditions (meaning no horrible summer heat and not super cold temperatures), the best times to visit are in autumn and spring. If you visit between April and May or between September and November, you’ll get the best weather conditions for hiking and you’ll be able to see the Wall either surrounded by green mountains in the spring or blanketed by the colors of the fall season.

Make note on when the Chinese National Holidays are as the Great Wall usually gets particularly crowded as both local and international tourists chose it as a destination.

How to Get to The Great Wall of China?

There are many ways to reach the Great Wall. If you’re in Beijing, the options to visit the Great Wall are several. For example, you can choose to go by public transport, by taxi, by train or to hire a tour that will arrange everything for you.

Going to Badaling is probably the easiest option if you want to use public transportation, as several trains are leaving daily from Beijing Huangtudian Railway Station.

If you chose to go by bus, which is cheaper than the train, you want to carefully check the bus line number and the schedule before organizing your trip.

However, keep in mind that public transportation might turn out to be harder than you think. Sometimes you’ll need to change stations or find the correct bus stop, and doing so might be a bit stressful, especially when you don’t know Chinese.

The more hassle-free way to visit the Great Wall is to book a day tour. The company will arrange transportation for you and provide you a guide so that you’ll learn some interesting information about the history of the Great Wall.

What are you waiting for? Embark on the adventure of Visiting the Great Wall of China, you won’t regret it!