To get the most from the Great Wall, a must-visit China attraction, you should follow the advice to plan a perfect Great Wall trip:
The Best Times to Visit: Spring and Fall
![The Best Times to Visit: Spring and Fall](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
The best times to visit the Great Wall (around Beijing) are spring and autumn toavoid the summer heat and crowds,and winter freezing conditions.
Spring(April–May) in Beijing's mountains is cool/warm and thegreen plants and flowersmake the Great Wall beautiful.
Fall(September–November) is thebest hiking seasondue to the clear weather, allowing you to see the Great Wall snaking off into the distance. The mountains are blanketed by colors of red, golden, yellow, and brown, which sets off the gray and paler Great Wall colors.
You can also visit the Great Wall in summer and winterif that would suit you better. Summer is peak season and popular sections getcrowded. It's hot with bright sunshine and some downpours. Winter isvery cold, even icy, on the Great Wall, but there's almost no crowding.
- 1-Day Beijing Layover Tour
- 1-Day Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking Tour
- 2-Day Jiankou Wild Great Wall Camping Tour
Select the MOST Suitable Section to Visit
![Jiankou Section of the Great Wall](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
The Great Wall of China lies mostly on the mountain ridges and crosses 15 provinces. The four mostrecommended sections are all around Beijing. See the table below to make a simple comparison and decide which section to visit.
Section | Badaling | Mutianyu | Simatai | Jiankou |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hours from Beijing | 1½ | 1½ | 2 | 2½ |
Scenery/ Photography (/5) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
Physical Demands (/5) | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
Crowding (/5) | 5 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
Tourism Development | Restored | Restored | Wild | Wild |
Fit For | Handicapped Travelers | Kids and Seniors | Ordinary Hikers | Strong Hikers |
Recommended Sections for Wheelchair Users
The Great Wall at Badaling, Mutianyu, and Juyongguan is (more)wheelchair-friendly. You could at least see some of the Great Wall near Beijing at the valley-bottom level there.
![Mutainyu Great Wall Tower 14 is Wheelchair Accessible](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
- 八达岭长城,wheelchair users can get to the first north watchtower by ramps. Wheelchair users should book the elevator service in advance.
- At the Mutianyu section,there is a cable car for wheelchair users ascending the wall and ramps to a platform below the 14th watchtower, from which you can appreciate the beautiful scenery from the Great Wall.
- AtJuyongguan, the Great Wall Fortress area in the valley bottom can be navigated by wheelchair.
Otherwise visiting the Great Wall in flatter areas is recommended for wheelchair users, likeShanhaiguanon the east coast andJiayuguanon the western desert.
Conquer the Most Challenging Great Wall Section: Jiankou to Mutianyu (4–5 hours hike)
![Wild Great Wall Hiking](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
If you would like to experience thesteepest section, the Great Wall at Jiankou is the best choice for you. This section iswild Great Wallwithout cable cars or any new steps. Many of the Great Wall stairs are broken or crumbling, which makes this section more dangerous. This most popular hiking route follows the wall down to Mutianyu — a magnificentlyrestored section.
- Read more tour details:1-Day Jiankou to Mutianyu Hiking Tour
How to Get to the Great Wall (From Beijing)
![Map of Getting to the Great Wall from Beijing](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
For some well-restored Great Wall sections, like Badaling and Mutianyu, you have the choice of taking a public or tourist bus, taxi, or even a bullet train (Badaling only).
But considering the language barrier, fixed departure time, and inconveniences of catching these public transportation, etc., takinga private transfer servicewith a spaciouscar, an English-speaking guide, and the one-stop pickup service would make your trip more enjoyable. If you come all the way to China to see the Great Wall, why settle for a second-rate experience.
While for the wild Great Wall, it'sdifficult to go there independently. You may consider taking ourGreat Wall Tours>>>.
Spending a Night at the Great Wall
It takes about 2 hours on average to get to the Great Wall from downtown Beijing. If you do not mind changing hotels for a night,an overnight stay near the Great Wall is highly recommendedas you you can:
- Avoid traffic jams and lining up at the ticket gate.
- Appreciate the Great Wall in the early morning when there are no crowds.
- Enjoy sunset and night views of the Great Wall.
At Simatai — Gubei Water Town Resort
![Gubei Water Town Resort](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
Simataioffers the bestGreat Wall night experienceanda range of 5-star hotels, boutique hotels, and local innsin the nearby Gubei Water Town (1 km or half a mile away).
Tell usyour interests, and we can choose the accommodations you'll enjoy.
At Mutianyu — Brickyard Retreat at Mutianyu Great Wall
Brickyard Retreat at Mutianyu Great Wall isreconstructed from a cultural revolution tile factoryby Beijing expats. It aims to provide an environmentally sustainable and Western-style countryside hotel.
Highlights:green gardens, original brick rooms, Great Wall views from the hotel.
At Badaling — Commune by the Great Wall
Commune by the Great Wall isa private collection of modern-architecture boutique hotels, 200m from the Great Wall at 'Water Pass' (Shuiguan).
Highlights:Different designs by accomplished architects. It's not only a hotel to stay in, but also an architectural attraction in itself.
Camping on the Great Wall — Be Prepared
![Camping at the Great Wall](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
Camping is not allowed at popular sections like Mutianyu.Camping would need to be done at the wild sections(e.g. Jiankou, Gubeikou).
Shops/guesthouses near the wild Great Wall are very rural and don't sell camping equipment/supplies. Campers would have tocarry tents and everything else needed在不均匀,有时陡峭的长城路径, which areverystrenuous. Beware trips and sprains, and dehydration. Carry lots of water.
- 2-Day Great Wall Mutianyu-Simatai Day-Night Tour
- 3-Day Jiankou to Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking Discovery Tour
- 5-Day Huangyaguan to Huanghuacheng Great Wall Hiking Tour
Food at the Great Wall
In restored sections,there are many restaurants and hotels that provide local food and a place for travelers to stay at. Restaurants at the Great Wall may not meet the standards of those in downtown Beijing, but you can try local dishes there.
Wild sectionsdon't have restaurants or hotels, so you need to bring food if you are planning a Great Wall hike.
You may be interested inBest Places to Eat Near Beijing's Great Wall Sections>>>
A Travel Guide is Recommended for a Great Wall Trip
China Highlights provides a tailored itinerary, comfortable air-conditioned transport, and one-to-one tour guiding, if necessary.
In wild sections, there is a real possibility of getting lost without a guide, and getting there on your own would beverydifficult.
Also, as the Great Wall is rich inhistory and culture— far more than just a scenic attraction — you should have a travel guide to explain and relatestoriesabout the Great Wall in context to get the most from your trip.