When you are in India, the Taj Mahal, the famous mausoleum located in Agra, is probably a must in your wish list.

The famous monument can easily be considered as the most well-known Indian landmark. The history of the building, why it was made and the beauty, given by the amazing marble details and the decoration of the monument has attracted and it still attracts many visitors around the world.

This majestic architectural craft is a recognized World Wonder, and if you manage to visit it, you’ll understand why. Today, it is an iconic symbol of love and most probably one of the first pictures that come to your mind when thinking about India.

As an attraction, the Taj Mahal can get rather crowded, but this essential guide will help you making the most out of your visit and organizing it at best

What is the Taj Mahal?

The Taj Mahal was built at the beginning of the 17th century by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz.

Situated in Agra, a city located in the Uttar Pradesh state and about 200 kilometers from Delhi, the mausoleum is a popular destination in India.

The monument took 22 years to complete and has one side giving to the River Yamuna. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, called the four-way gardens and a central canal passing through them, even getting there might be an experience by itself.

The whole building is made of white marble whose color has changed a bit with the years due to pollution, becoming more cream-like, but still stunningly beautiful. Once inside, you’ll see the complexity and the intricacies of the wonderful craft and design and the semi-precious stones carved in some of the beautiful decorations.

Several stories and rumors are circulating about the mausoleum. One of them is that the hands of the architects and those that worked to build the Taj Mahal were cut off to avoid them replicating a similar fine structure elsewhere.

It is highly recommended to take a Taj Mahal’s tour to be able to learn more about the history and the many mysteries surrounding it while getting a more complete experience out of your visit to the mausoleum.

Why Should You Visit the Taj Mahal?

All in all, paying a visit to the Taj Mahal means being able to see one of the World’s Seven Wonders, getting a view of a marvelous building that has become the icon of long-lasting love. This architectural masterpiece, full of intricated designs and decoration, is a landmark you don’t want to miss during your trip to India.

When To Visit the Taj Mahal?

Before getting to the Taj Mahal, you should be prepared to see it crowded. There will probably be a lot of visitors, disregarding the period you chose to go to.

The best time to visit is between March and June. This period is the best as you probably won’t have to deal with unbearable high temperatures or fog, also you’ll find the monument a bit less crowded. The high season runs from October to March, which you might want to avoid.

One of the biggest advice, if you don’t want to visit the monument while is too crowded, is to go there early in the morning. Going at sunrise and before 9:00 will allow you to explore the mausoleum with a bit more quietness. The monument is open from 6 AM to 7 PM, and 8:30 PM to midnight for night visits, which are scheduled in the five days around every full moon.

When you’re organizing your visit, keep in mind that on Fridays the mausoleum closed for prayers. Try to go during the week: Monday and Thursday are probably the best days. If you don’t want to have it too crowded, avoid the weekends.

How To Get to the Taj Mahal?

You can easily visit the popular mausoleum in a day trip from Delhi being Agra only a couple of hours away. Because of the popularity of the destinations, there are several options and at different times of the day. You can also decide to hire a driver or a tour guide taking you there. It is up to you!

The Entrance

You can choose out of three entrance gates to the monument and cars are not cannot get closer than 500 meters of the building due to the pollution’s effect on the color od the building. Pick one in advance!

• The West Gate usually has the longest waiting times during the day and it is most popular among the local visitors.
• The East Gate is commonly used by tourists, being close to many of the main hotels. Generally, fewer people are queuing up at this gate, unless when large groups arrive. It typically is most crowded at sunrise. However, the ticket office is 10 minutes away from the gate. In case you bought your tickets online, this might be your best choice.
• The South Gate is regarded as the least used gate. It doesn’t open before 8 AM and it is located close to a rather big market and the area of many budget hotels.

Some Tips to Keep in Mind when planning your visit

The mausoleum is a beautiful building, both from the inside and from the outside. That is should not come as a surprise. However, you should be prepared to having to deal with many more people trying to get closer to the wonderful decorations, especially inside the mausoleum. It can get quite stressful, but if you know what to expect, you’ll get mentally prepared and you’ll be able to have a better experience.

Also, mind you that Agra is very expensive compared to other Indian destinations, because of the hight amount of visitors it gets daily. If you’re on a budget, do not go shopping in Agra.

In terms of the time needed to visit the mausoleum, usually between 1 to 2 hours will be enough to see everything and walk around as well as having the time to take beautiful shots.

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!