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Great Wall of China Tours & Trips

Assembled with materials ranging from earth to wood and stone, the Great Wall of China has been built over the course of several dynasties, with a major part lifted during the Ming Dynasty in the 14th-century. Closely located to Beijing, it is a must-see structure for all travellers.

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46 great wall of china tour packages with 131 reviews.

• In-depth Cultural

Great itinerary and travel between all the destinations was well managed and pain free. The accommodation was a lower standard as this is a lower budget tour but all of the locations allowed for easy access to the local attractions. All of the hotels/hostels were clean and air conditioned, we were more interested in the sights anyway! Our guide was the best and balanced knowledge with ensuring the group had fun, she was happy to change plans and arrange alternatives if any or all of the group wished to do different things. A really great group of people added up to a fantastic, memorable trip that I would happily recommend to anyone wanting the 'Real China' trip.

14-Day Impression China Group Tour

Almost everything went to plan so am very happy :). Had bad weather on one day, and central government restrictions prevented seeing lesser known sights, so that is okay. Most of the guides where excellent. Thanks to those guides who made extra effort to make our tours special. Special thanks to Lexi who was always around to help, and managed to organise the trip so perfectly :).

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• Christmas & New Year

North China Getaway

Great Wall & Warriors - 10 days

Great tour, Jason was excellent, made sure everyone on the tour had a great time. The tour ended up being better even than I expected.

Fine China - 13 days

This tour covers a lot, days are packed! Mixed groups of older and younger people. Group will be split during the itinerary. Not one other solo traveller in my group but was ok.

• Sightseeing

Highlights of China

Traditional China

Spiritual and Modern China

• Hiking & Trekking

Great Wall Hike in Hebei Province and Beijing 9Days

Tailor-Made Luxury China Golden Triangle Tour with Daily Departure

Quite excellent organization of our trip! Prompt feedback on questions and an absolute all-round carefree package that helped us have an unforgettable travel experience.

• Walking Adventure

Walk the Great Wall of China

• River Cruise

Iconic China with Yangtze Cruise (12 Days)

Beijing to Shanghai Express

• Coach / Bus

Classic China (10 Days)

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Best of China with Yangtze Cruise (15 Days)

What people love about great wall of china tours.

Great itinerary and travel between all the destinations was well managed and pain free. The accommodation was a lower standard as this is a lower budget tour but all of the locations allowed for easy access to the local attractions. All of the hotels/hostels were clean and air conditioned, we were more interested in the sights anyway! Our guide was the best and balanced knowledge with ensuring the group had fun, she was happy to change plans and arrange alternatives if any or all of the group wished to do different things. A really great group of people added up to a fantastic, memorable trip that I would happily recommend to anyone wanting the 'Real China' trip.

Well organised and the agent Emily was always available and supportive with requests before and during my trip, good hotels used, guides were friendly and knowledgable.

A perfect taste of China!

Great Wall of China Tours starting in:

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International Versions

• Deutsch: Chinesische Mauer Rundreisen
• Français: Circuits en Grande Muraille de Chine
• Español: Circuitos por Gran Muralla China
• Nederlands: Grote Muur van China Rondreizen

Great Wall Tours & Vacations

Mao Zedong said, ‘He who has not climbed the Great Wall is not a true man.'

The Chairman might have been overstating things a tad, but we can say that climbing the Great Wall is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience (unless you happen to climb it twice). Snaking from Manchurian ruins in Liaoning, through Beijing province, and ending in a few wind-scoured remains in the Gobi desert, it’s the undisputed emperor of China landmarks. There are obviously dozens of Great Wall of China tours running out of Beijing (and Shanghai), but our local guides come with a few extra perks. English speaking, expertly trained, and with an encyclopedic knowledge of the Wall and its history – there’s no-one better in the business.

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Great Wall travel FAQs

Do i need a covid-19 vaccine to join an intrepid trip.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

When is the best time to visit the Great Wall of China?

This varies a little depending on which section of the Wall you’re due to visit, but generally Spring is a lovely time to visit Beijing.

The weather in March or May is warm and fresh, and you should only need a light jacket to be comfortable on your Great Wall tour. 

Summer (June – August) is the most popular time to visit the Great Wall, but it’s the hottest too: temperatures can average around 86°F, which means sunscreen, sunglasses and a water bottle are trekking must-haves.

Autumn (September – November) is a little cooler, but still a great time to visit.

The real one to avoid is Winter (December – February) where temperatures usually drop below freezing. Most Great Wall tours won’t even run during this time.

What do I pack for the Great Wall of China?

Walking the Great Wall on a China tour requires a basic level of fitness.

You don’t need to be springing from watchtower to watchtower like a mountain goat, but the ability to walk steadily for a few hours is pretty essential.

With that in mind, pack some comfy shoes. Runners or sneakers are a good idea –they’ll support your ankles and knees while navigating uneven stone stairs.

Sunscreen and a hat are a good idea too, especially in Summer when the temperature can really spike.

Bring a small canteen for water (try to avoid buying plastic bottles) and obviously a spare SD card or two for the camera – trust us, they fill up quick here.

What are the toilet facilities like along the Great Wall of China?

There are no toilet facilities along the Great Wall of China once you've moved past the main entrance.

You should use the bathrooms before you start the walk to ensure you feel comfortable and don't have to turn back.

The restrooms may not be stocked with tissue paper or paper towels so bringing that with you is also a good idea. 

How do I get to the Great Wall of China?

The easiest way to get to the Great Wall of China is on one of our China tours; however, if you're intent on visiting by yourself, there are a couple of ways you can get there on your own.

You can hire a private driver for the day that'll pick you up from and drop you off at your accommodation in Beijing, you can catch a range of public transportation options (including taxis) or you can self-drive from Beijing to the Great Wall of China.

I t's important to note that some sections of the wall are only accessible through a group or private tour so keep that in mind when planning out your itinerary. 

Are Intrepid trips accessible for travelers with disabilities?

We are committed to making travel widely  accessible , regardless of ability or disability. We do our best to help you see the world, regardless of physical or mental limitations. 

We are always happy to talk to travelers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Mutianyu Great Wall Tour

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Beijing Private Day Tour of Forbidden City and Great Wall at Mutianyu

Mutianyu Great Wall Private Tour With an English Speaking Driver

Mr.Ping's Private Tour to Explore the Great Wall at Mutianyu

Fantastic Private Trip to Mutianyu Great Wall (English Service)

Magnificent Private Full Day Tour to Mutianyu Great Wall

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Mutianyu Great Wall Tour - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Great Wall of China

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As China's most famous attraction, the Great Wall of China is an essential stop on all China tours . Commonly considered a wonder of the world, the Great Wall boasts a history of over 2,000 years and stretches more than 3,000 miles across several provinces of northern China, making it one of the most impressive ancient structures on the planet.

Virtual Tour of the Great Wall of China

Want to visit the great wall of china spontaneously with a professional live guide learn more about our guided virtual tour here, best sections to visit.

Beijing is usually considered the main gateway to the Great Wall, since there are several world-famous sections of the Wall in the suburbs of Beijing, including Badaling, Mutianyu, Jinshanling, Juyongguan, Gubeikou, and Jiankou. These sections were built during the Ming dynasty between the 14th and 17th centuries and have been well preserved.

Of all the sections of the Great Wall near Beijing, Badaling is the most famous one. As a result, Badaling is the destination of choice for many large tour groups and is often very crowded. The nearby Juyongguan Great Wall features one of the three great mountain passes of the Great Wall but is almost as crowded as Badaling.

Mutianyu Great Wall is just as close as Badaling and offers wonderful views of the Great Wall and the surrounding hills with far fewer tourists. This section of the Wall also features a thrilling toboggan run that you can ride from the top of the Wall down to the bottom of the hill.

Due to their proximity, Badaling, Juyongguan, and Mutianyu are all doable as a half-day trip from downtown Beijing. We usually recommend Mutianyu over Badaling or Juyongguan , since the massive crowds at the latter two sections can ruin one's experience of this impressive structure.

Further away from Beijing, Jinshanling Great Wall is about 150 km northeast of downtown and it usually takes about two and a half hours to drive there. Despite the longer drive, Jinshanling is among the most stunning sections of the Great Wall. If your itinerary allows for one full day seeing the Great Wall, then we highly recommend a tour to Jinshanling.

Gubeikou and Jiankou can also be visited within a day tour from Beijing . Both sections have not been restored since they were first built in the Ming Dynasty, making them ideal choices for those who want to hike and experience the wild Great Wall. Do be aware that the Jiankou section features very steep and dangerous climbs and is only suitable for experienced hikers.

There are also some other famous sections of the Great Wall within or outside Beijing, such as Huanghuacheng, Simatai, and Shanhaiguan, but we only recommend these if you are visiting the Great Wall for a second time or planning a multi-day, in-depth Great Wall tour.

Great Wall Hiking and Camping

Due to its original purpose as a military defense, almost all sections of Great Wall were built on mountain ranges and thus involve some challenging climbs and uneven stairs, including the well-restored sections. If you are visiting a restored section but hike to the end of the renovated part, you will be able to see the unrestored part of the Great Wall.

For most visitors, Mutianyu and Jinshanling offer good, medium difficulty hikes, while still being very safe. For those looking for a serious hike along wild, unrestored portions of the Wall, we suggest the Jinshanling to Jinshanling East , or Gubeikou to Jinshanling routes. All these routes boast both unrestored and picturesque renovated sections of the Wall. However, please be aware that hikes along wild, unrestored parts of the Great Wall involve many steep climbs and loose bricks, and can be very dangerous in some places. (People can no longer hike through from Jinshanling to Simatai since the route was closed years ago.)

Camping on the Great Wall is usually banned, especially on the renovated sections. If you want to spend a night sleeping on the Great Wall , we can take you to a watchtower on the Gubeikou section of the Great Wall to experience the life of an ancient soldier and catch amazing sunrise/sunset views over the Wall.

Best Time to Visit

For all sections of the Great Wall near Beijing, the spring months (April to June) offer temperate weather and are great for climbing. In late April to early May, many trees begin to blossom, making this a particularly beautiful period to visit the Wall. Fall is also a nice time to visit, as temperatures are usually comfortable. October to early November are particularly picturesque, as the tree leaves on the mountains begin to change color. The winter months, from December to February, are cold and can be windy, but there are usually far fewer tourists on the Wall during these months. July and August are hot and humid, and thus not the best for long hikes. In addition, it's best to avoid hiking on the Wall after rain or snowfall because some parts can get very slippery.

You should also avoid visiting the popular sections, such as Badaling, Juyongguan, and Mutianyu, around National Day (the first week in October) and Spring Festival. August is also a busy time for the Badaling and Juyongguan sections, since students are on summer vacation and many families travel to these famous sections with their kids before the new school year starts. Learn more about how to avoid the crowds when traveling in China .

Great Wall of China Private Tour Packages

• Beijing and the Great Wall Day Tour
• 2 days Beijing highlight tour
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• Golden Triangle of China - 9 days Beijing, Xian, Shanghai tour
• The Classic China Tour - 13 days Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Yangshuo, Shanghai tour
• The Ancient Capitals - 5 days Beijing, Xian tour
• Tale of Two Cities - 5 days Beijing, Shanghai tour
• More Great Wall tours...

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Great Wall of China Tours 2024/2025

A Beijing tour is not complete without the Great Wall, but a Beijing tour with only Great Wall is not complete too if you escape other MUST-SEEs and MUST-Dos in Beijing, such as the grandiose imperial sites of Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven, royal garden Summer Palace, Beijing’s traditional living dwellings Hutongs, Peking Roasted Duck, Kungfu show, etc. Here are our Best 4 Great Wall Tour Packages from Beijing, which will not only take you to explore the best sections of Great Wall – beautiful and less-crowded, but also cover those other MUST-SEEs and MUST-Dos.

Latest Notice on Great Wall Travel - Updated on May 25, 2023 :

The Beijing Great Wall Protection and Management Regulations clearly state that it is prohibited to organize tours or climb sections of the Great Wall that have not been approved for visitation. Violators may be subject to corresponding fines. The Jiankou Great Wall is an unopened section of the Great Wall, and climbing it can cause damage to the structure. This not only hinders the preservation of the Great Wall but also poses significant risks to the safety of visitors. Therefore, we urge everyone not to climb the Jiankou Great Wall. Tourists can visit and hike at well-developed sections of the Great Wall such as Mutianyu, Badaling, and Jinshanling instead.

3 Days Visa-free Beijing Essential including Mutianyu Great Wall

Specially designed for travelers who meet the Visa-free Transit Policy in Beijing. Hike the less-crowded Mutianyu section of Great Wall with other famous Beijing attractions.

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4 Days Most Classic Beijing Tour with Mutianyu Great Wall

Visit the best featured highlights of Beijing and explore the glorious past and present of Beijing in one go, including Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, etc.

4 Days Beijing Tour with Wild Great Wall Hiking

Get away from the crowds to the wild great wall sections from Gubeikou to Jinshanling, hop on a Hutong rickshaw to feel the old Beijing life style.

4 Days Beijing Simatai Great Wall Night Tour

Hike the most beautiful section of Great Wall - Jinshanling, and take in the peaceful night view of Simatai Great Wall with round-trip cable cars included.

Top 4 Great Walls Only In-depth Tours

The Great Wall of China is not just a single wall to see, actually it consists of many different sections. To experience its more authentic charms, you are suggested to take an in-depth Great Wall trip which includes more different sections of Great Wall. Usually, you can plan a 2 full days trip starting and finishing at Beijing downtown. Hike 1 or 2 sections of Great Wall each day, and stay overnight at a boutique hotel at the foot of the Great Wall, or camp in a watchtower on the Great Wall. What an adventure it is!

2 Days Wild Great Wall Hiking with Camping Experience

Enjoy a peaceful night during your camping in a watchtower of Gubeikou Section of Great Wall which was the site for over 130 ancient battles.

2 Days Wild Great Wall Scenic Hiking

Jinshanling is the most beautiful section of the Great Wall, while Simatai is said to have all the features of other sections of Great Wall.

2 Days Great Walls Adventure Hiking

Enjoy the contrasts of Great Walls during hikes between the magnificent Mutianyu Great Wall and tranquil Huanghuacheng Lakeside Great Wall.

2 Days Mutianyu and Jinshanling Great Wall Leisure Hiking

Mutianyu offers mightiest views of Great Wall. While Jinshanling Great Wall is featured in wild walls, towers, and famous for sunrise and sunset.

Design Your Own Great Wall Tour Package

If you haven't found your favorite section of Great Wall to visit, or haven't found a trip which suits your plan perfectly, please don't worry. We can help you design your own Great Wall experience according to your interest, time and budget. It's only 2 simple steps to go! You can also learn more about Great Wall of China here .

Choose Your Favorite Section of Great Wall to Go

Most popular among foreign travellers. Strongly recommended for first-timers, families with kids and seniors.

Best for photography and hiking. Recommended to be hiked with Simatai or Gubekou sections of Great Wall.

Simatai section is famous for amazing landscape. It is the only section of Great Wall open in the evening time.

The most dangerous section of Great Wall with a famous hiking route to Jiankou which can be done in 4~5 hours.

Allow tourists to camp for overnight, and take a boat on lake to enjoy Great Wall scenery. Recommended for families.

Completely unrestored section of Great Wall. Best site to camp in a watchtower. Can be hiked with Jinshanling Great Wall.

Fully restored section of Great Wall. Usually visited by big tourists groups and Chinese tourists.

Closest section of Great Wall from Beijing. Reccommended for those having a short layover in Beijing.

The Great Walls You Chose are :

Visit Great Wall with Other Popular Beijing Attractions

Choose your favorite attractions in Beijing below to let our travel experts design a reasonable and valuable Beijing trip for you. Most of these attractions are conveniently located at the central city area. Each sight needs only about 1~2 hours to visit.

Forbidden City

#4 of 1,619 on Tripadvisor - the royal palaces for Ming and Qing Dynasties for over 500 years.

Summer Palace

#3 of 1,619 on Tripadvisor - the summer resort for the Qing dynasty's royal family.

#41 of 1,619 on Tripadvisor - old folk dwellings, and good place for souvenir shopping.

Temple of Heaven

#5 of 1,619 on Tripadvisor - the largest building for religious worship in China.

Jingshan Park

#8 of 1,619 on Tripadvisor - good location for photography and Forbidden City panoramic view.

798 Art Zone

#10 of 1,619 on Tripadvisor - old-fashioned factory, numerous galleries and bookshops & cafes.

#16 of 1,619 on Tripadvisor - also known as National Center for the Performing Arts.

Olympic Park

#21 of 1,619 on Tripadvisor - modern architecture, where the Bird Nest and Water Cube locate.

Beihai Park

#11 on Tripadvisor - free local park with a white pogoda. Good for a leisure stroll.

Lama Temple

#12 of 1,619 on Tripadvisor - A series of beautiful Tibetan-style pavilions.

Chaoyang Theater

#13 of 1,619 on Tripadvisor - breathtaking routines of acrobats & gymnasts.

Old Summer Palace

#36 of 1,619 on Tripadvisor - beautiful, historical, and not crowded!

Temple of Confucius

#45 of 1,619 on Tripadvisor - ancient Chinese academy culture, located at Hutong area.

Back Lakes (Hou Hai)

#47 of 1,619 on Tripadvisor - ancient Chinese academy culture, located at Hutong area.

Fragrant Hills

#46 of 1,619 on Tripadvisor - good for summer retreat and autumn red leaves photography.

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Great Wall of China

A Complete Guide to Visiting the Great Wall of China

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• How to Visit

Huanghuacheng

Jinshanling, tour or solo, how long to spend, where to stay.

The Great Wall of China stretches 13,000 miles over mountains, forests, reservoirs, and desert. It took a millennium to build, involved multiple dynasties, and pissed off a lot of Huns. Inextricably tied to the history of the country, to visit China without seeing it would cause you to be remiss not only with your friends and family at your homecoming, but somehow within yourself as well. To stand on its ramparts gives one simultaneously a sense of experiencing something collectively epic and individually infinitesimal.

Before you visit, decide if you want to go to an unrestored section, wild section or both. (“Wild” is a popular way to refer to the unrestored sections of the wall.) Consider physical ability and whom you’re traveling with (old people, kids, your sister who hates walking) when choosing a section. 

This will be a workout. It’s not strolling on an elevated side walk. The Great Wall is stone waves steep and undulating. Grab your hiking boots and prepare for the walk of a lifetime.

How to Visit the Great Wall

Most visitors go to the Great Wall as part of a half or full day trip from Beijing. Visitors can choose from over 12 well-known sections and access them through a group tour, private driver, private tour, public transportation (sometimes combined with taxis), or by driving their own car. While the travel time from Beijing varies depending on section and traffic, it can take anywhere from one to three hours to get to there.

Worthwhile sections to visit in other provinces are the famous packed-earth Jiayuguan section in Jiayuguan, Gansu Province. It's a mere 4 miles (6 kilometers) from the city and easily accessible by public transport or a short taxi ride. Also, Ningxia Province’s Sanguankou section with its three passes is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from the province's capital city of Yinchuan. It can be reached by hiring a private car.

If you want to hire a tour operator for a section near Beijing, Beijing Wonder Tour has affordable rates and English-speaking guides. Beijing Hiker’s offers hiking tours to the wild wall. If you want to hire a private car with an English-speaking driver but explore the wall on your own, you can choose from a number of options here . If you want to hire your own car, Hertz rents cars from the Beijing airport.

Best Parts of the Great Wall

The Great Wall spans nine provinces. The sections most commonly recommended are all close to Beijing. However, for less touristy and wilder parts of the wall, you can head to Gansu, Ningxia, or several other provinces less frequented by visitors. All of the ones listed below can be accessed from Beijing.

Popular among foreign tourists and easily accessible from Beijing, Mutianyu offers a well-restored wall with 23 watchtowers, replete with photo ops and views of the surrounding mountains and forests. You can hike, take a chair lift or cable car to the top, and toboggan down. It takes about two hours to walk the 1.4 miles of this section. If you go beyond tower 23, the wall is not restored, has no guardrails, and tourists are responsible for their own safety.

To get there hire a private driver or take the subway to Dongzhimen station. Walk upstairs to the North Bound Platform. Take the Express Bus 916 towards Huairou. After about an hour, get off at the Beidajie stop. Take bus H23 to Mutainyu or share a car with other tourists going there. Travel time is two to two and a half hours.

Simatai's main draw is night tours. Though Badaling is also open at night, Simatai has more ambient lighting and fewer crowds. You can take the cable car up and walk this 3-mile section for about one and half to two hours. Be aware that its grade increases rapidly (from 968 to 3,235 feet) and is super steep. The Simatai wall cuts through the Simatai Reservoir, and those who want to can zipline over it. For the day hikers, Heavenly Ladder and Sky Bridge are two extremely narrow and high parts of the wall with incredible views of mountain ridges.

To get there hire a private driver, or hop on the Airport Express subway line to Dongzhimen station. Take Bus 980 from Dongzhimen Long Distance Bus Station to Miyun Town and then take a taxi.

This section's surrounding countryside boasts a sea of yellow flowers in spring and summer. Other distinguishing features of Huanghuacheng include: boat rides on Haoming Lake, and fewer crowds than Mutianyu and Badaling. It can also be combined with Mutianyu for a day trip, as the two sections are only a 40-minute drive apart.

To get there hire a private car, or take the 916 bus or 916 express bus to Dongzhimen to Huairou Bus Station. Hop on the H21 bus to the Small West Lake (Lakeside Great Wall) Station, and walk north to the scenic area. By public transport, it will take at least two hours from central Beijing.

For those who can’t decide if they want to see a restored or wild section of wall, Jinshanling offers a beautiful mixture of both. Ideal for hikers, this section stretches 6.5 miles, runs along the Jinshanling Mountains, contains 67 watchtowers, five mountain passes, and very few tourists. If you hike in this section by itself, plan for two to five hours. You can also hike from this section to other sections, such as Simatai or Gubeikou.

To get there, hire a private driver or take the subway to Wangjing West Station. Hop on the bus to Luanping, and get off at Jinshanling Service Area. This bus will take about two hours to get to Jinshanling Service Area. Once you alight, you can take a free shuttle to the wall.

If you want to see the section of the wall closest to Beijing and can handle huge crowds, this will be your option. Though super touristy, Badaling has amazingly restored wide walkways and guardrails for its steeper parts. Like the Mutianyu section, it offers a cable car and toboggan rides for those who want to save their energy and feet. Plan for one and a half hours to visit this section of the Wall and walk the 2.3 miles of its restored path. Check out the 19 watchtowers along the way and be prepared for tons of hawkers.

To get there hire a private driver or take the subway to Jishuitan station. Go out exit B2 and hop on the 877 bus, a direct bus with a travel time of about one and a half hours to get there.

Tips for Visiting the Great Wall

Use these tips to make the most of your visit.

You do not need to book a tour to the Great Wall, though it can eliminate the stress of trip planning and language barriers. If you are traveling solo or with one or two other adults, hiring a driver or using public transport will most likely be your best options.

If you are traveling in a large group or with children or with elderly family members, a tour or private driver will be your best options. Some tours will take you to a government sponsored tea house or jade museum during the trip. Know what you’re buying if you go the tour route, and look for tours that state they do not do commissioned stops.

Weather-wise, spring and fall are the best times to see the Great Wall. Spring will provide beautiful verdant greens (and yellow blossoms around Huanghuacheng). In the fall, the rolling forested hills on either side of the wall will be dappled with red, orange, and yellow leaves. However, the best time to go to avoid crowds is winter.

Wear layers. It gets windy and most of the sections are exposed. Even the watchtowers have giant open window frames. If you go in the summer, take a hat and sunscreen.

Spend at least three to four hours on the wall, this is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage site after all. Take some time to enjoy it. Sections can be steep (even if restored) and ascents slow. Stroll through the blockhouses and watch towers, sip water as you admire the surrounding hills, and zip down to the base in a toboggan (if you go to Badaling or Mutianyu).

If you want to experience the Great Wall early without leaving Beijing in the wee morning hours, consider staying at a hotel by the section you want to see. For Muitanyu, The Brickyard offers comfortable rooms, a restaurant, and a spa. Alternatively, if you want to go to the wall during the day, but also see it lit up at night, go to Simatai. Stay at Gubeishui Town Hotel and splurge on a luxury room with great views.

For intrepid explorers, it is possible to camp on the wall. However, you will need to do your own research and take all of your gear and provisions with you. There are no vendors in the wild sections. If you want to camp in a group tour, Great Wall Hiking offers what is sure to be a memorable experience of a night on the Great Wall.

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Great Wall of China Tours

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How to Get to the Great Wall from Beijing

In this article, we provide you with up-to-date (April 2019) insider information about how to get to two famous sections of the Great Wall of China (Mutianyu and Badaling) from Beijing city center and Beijing airport by taxi, S2 train, bus, and transfer services included in our Beijing Great Wall tours, including costs for each.

Where the Great Wall of China Is Located

The Great Wall of China winds across mountain ridges along what were once the northern borders of ancient China. It has existed for over two thousand years and its total length is over 21,000 kilometers.

Beijing has the 10 best sections of the Great Wall . It is worth visiting the sections that are located in its suburban areas.

The two most popular sections of the Great Wall are Mutianyu and Badaling . These are, respectively, the most fully-restored section of the Great Wall and the most famous section.

They are both located some 70 kilometers north of Beijing city center. Learn more about Badaling Versus Mutianyu: Which One Should I Visit?

(This map shows the distance and time costs to Mutianyu and Badaling Great Wall from Beijing City by taxi.)

How to Get to the Great Wall at Mutianyu from Beijing City

The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall is located 73 kilometers (45 miles) from Beijing city center, taking 2 hours to get there by taxi. You can also get to the Mutianyu section in a tourist bus or with a transfer service included in our Beijing Great Wall tours.

Option 1. By Taxi (2 Hours, $37)

It costs about 250 yuan ($37) with the toll fee included each way to get to the Great Wall at Mutianyu scenic area from Beijing city center. It;s a 2-hour drive if you don't encounter any traffic controls or jams.

Show the taxi driver this Chinese message: 请带我去慕田峪长城景区. It means: Please take me to the Great Wall at Mutianyu scenic area.

Opening times and fees for the Great Wall at Mutianyu: The scenic area at the Great Wall at Mutianyu opens from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm all year round. The entrance fee is 45 yuan.

Option 2. By a Transfer Service Included in Our Great Wall Day Tours (Tour Starts from $159)

The tours usually offer: A spacious car , An English-speaking guide , Collection from your hotel lobby / the airport according to your schedule,The must-see attractions, such as Tian;anmen Square , the Forbidden City , and the Great Wall (either section of the Great Wall and a cable car trip included both ways), Lunch (optional), Entrance fees to listed sites, A return drive to your hotel or the airport .

Inquire about our Great Wall Day Tour - they are all customizable according to your preferences.

Option 3. By Tourist Bus (60 Yuan / $9 Both Ways)

At present, there is only one tourist bus route heading to the Great Wall at Mutianyu from Beijing city center. It starts from Qianmen tourist dispatch center, passes Dongzhimen, and ends at the front gate of the Great Wall at Mutianyu scenic area.

Passengers can purchase tickets at the Beijing Hub of Tourist Dispatch Centers (北京旅游集散中心) in either Qianmen or Dongzhimen , or you can book your ticket(s) via their official websites in advance.

• The departure time from Qianmen is between 7:30 am and 8:30 am every day. The coach will set off when it is full.
• The ticket fare is 60 yuan / $9 for both ways. The journey to the Great Wall at Mutianyu takes about 2 hours and will allow you to explore the Great Wall on your own for 4 hours after getting there.
• Then you need to head back before 3:30 pm as the last bus going back to town sets off at 4 pm.
• Excluded: Vouchers to have lunch on the Great Wall and the cable car fees.

Why a Tourist Bus is NOT the Best Option

• For foreign tourists, locating the tourist dispatch center can be quite a challenge , not to mention the language barrier when dealing with the purchasing process either on the spot or online (the official website doesn;t have an English version at present).
• The departure times of the bus are not flexible , which isn;t good for tourists with limited time in Beijing, especially those with layovers.
• During weekends, national holidays, and summer/winter school vacations, the bus tickets are likely to be sold out very quickly , and booking them via the website in advance is rarely possible.

Option 4. By Public Bus 916 Then Change to H23(Not Recommened)

There were options to take subway Line 2 to Dongzhimen, then to take public bus 916, and then bus H23/H50/H35, and get off at the Great Wall at Mutianyu. However, H50 and H35 have been out of service since the tourist shuttle bus services started to operate recently.

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How to Get to the Great Wall at Badaling from Beijing City

The Great Wall at Badaling is located 72 kilometers northwest of Beijing city center, taking 1½ hours to get there by taxi . You can also get to the Great Wall at Badaling by S2 train and will be able to get there in a bullet train by 2020 .

Option 1. By Taxi (1½ hours, $36)

It costs about 240 yuan ($36) with the toll fee included each way to get to the Great Wall at Badaling scenic area from Beijing city center. It takes 1½ hours to drive there if no traffic controls or jams are encountered.

Show the taxi driver this Chinese message: 请带我去八达岭长城景区. It means: Please take me to 'Badaling Great Wall Scenic Area;.

The tours usually offer: A spacious car , An English-speaking guide , Collection from your hotel lobby / the airport according to your schedule, The must-see attractions, such as Tian;anmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall (either section of the Great Wall and a cable car trip included both ways), Lunch (optional), Entrance fees to listed sites, A return drive to your hotel or the airport.

Take a look at our popular Beijing Great Wall Day Tours , they are all customizable according to your preferences.

• Beijing Great Wall Layover Tour (10+ hours)
• Beijing Highlights Tour (1 day: Tian;anmen Square, the Forbidden City, lunch, the Great Wall with cable car access)

3. By S2 Train (2½ hours, $2)

Travel to Huoying (霍营) Station either on subway Line 8 or 13, or take the Airport Express line .

Exit the station and go to Huangtudian Railway Station (黄土店火车站) nearby, then take the S2 train and get off at Badaling Railway Station.

The entrance to the Great Wall at Badaling is a 20-minute walk from the railway station. You can follow the flow of other passengers or be guided by the signs along the roads, which are written in both English and Chinese .

There are free shuttle buses from the railway station to the cable car station at the Badaling section of the Great Wall although you have to queue for a while to get one of these.

Essential Information about Taking the S2 train to the Great Wall at Badaling

• Fare: 7 yuan
• Frequency: Eight pairs of trains operate during weekdays while 12 pairs operate during national holidays and weekends.
• Duration: 1½ hours
• In service: 7:45 am to 10 pm (these times are liable to change without notice due to passenger flow adjustments)

Opening times and fees for the Great Wall at Badaling: The Great Wall at Badaling scenic area opens from 6:30 am to 5:30 pm during the peak season and from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm during the off season. The entrance fee is 45 yuan during the peak season and 40 yuan/trip for the cable car.

Option 4. By Tourist Bus (40 Yuan / $6 Both Ways)

There is one tourist bus route heading to the Great Wall at Badaling from Beijing city center. It starts from Qianmen tourist dispatch center and ends at the front gate to the Great Wall at Badaling scenic area.

Passengers can purchase tickets at Qianmen tourist dispatch center 30 minutes before departure or via their official website.

• Departure time : Between 7 am and 11 am every day. The coach sets off when it is full.
• Ticket fare: 40 yuan / $6 each way. The journey takes about 2 hours to reach the Great Wall at Badaling.
• The last bus back to town sets off at 3:30 pm.
• Excluded: lunch, the Great Wall tickets, and cable car fees.

Why a Tourist Bus is NOT the Best Option: Similar to the main reasons why a tourist bus to Mutianyu is not recommended, as mentioned above, you will have difficulty locating the dispatch centers , be hampered by the language barrier , be restricted to fixed departure and return times , and discover that the tickets rapidly sell out .

Option 5. By High-Speed Train (20 Minutes)

The new Badaling railway station for high-speed trains has been completed. Bullet trains departing from Beijing North Railway Station can reach the Great Wall at Badaling in 20 minutes.

Option 6. By Bus (14 Yuan, 3 Hours - Not Recommended)

You can get on bus 5 at Tian;anmen East Station (天安门东站) and change to bus 919 at the Madianqiaonan stop (马甸桥南站), then get off at the stop for Badaling National Forest Park to reach the Great Wall at Badaling. For foreign tourists, it;s difficult to locate the stops and easy to take a bus going in the wrong direction .

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Getting to the Great Wall from Beijing Capital International Airport

If you wish to have a short visit to the Great Wall from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), we recommend you go to the Mutianyu section as it is closer to the airport as well as being equally famous and interesting.

Option 1. By Taxi

The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall is located 54 kilometers (34 miles) north of Beijing Capital International Airport. It takes about 1½ hours to get there by taxi and costs about 180 yuan ($27) each way , including the toll fee.

As a comparison, a taxi from Beijing airport to Badaling , which is located 73 kilometers (45 miles) to the northwest, will take about 2 hours by taxi and cost about 280 yuan ($42) each way .

If you have plenty of time, you can choose to take the Airport Express and change to Line 13, then take the S2 train to get to the Great Wall at Badaling. The journey takes about 3 hours.

Option 2. By a Transfer Service Included in Great Wall Layover Tours

This is the most sensible way to visit the Great Wall if you have a short layover in Beijing airport.

The tour price starts from $159 and include collecting you upon your arrival in PEK, driving to and from the Great Wall, having an English-speaking guide, help with luggage/visas-free problems(if occurs any), the Great Wall entrance and cable car fees, and lunch. The tours are completely worry-free and time efficient.

Check out some of our best-selling Great Wall layover tours - they are all customizable according to your preferences:

• Beijing Highlights Tour (15+ hours, including the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and Tian;anmen Square)

Tips You Should Know Before Getting to the Great Wall

• Ignore anyone who tries to convince you to take a detour transfer to the Great Wall or who offers other hospitalities as they might take you on a longer journey and stop at shopping spots.
• Learn more about how to visit the Great Wall .

(The prices for transportation and Great Wall fees mentioned in this article were updated in April, 2019 and are only for reference - they are subject to change by the operators.)

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Take a Worry-Free Private Great Wall Tour (Transfer Included) with Us

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• 10-Hour Beijing Great Wall Layover Tour
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Just make a free inquiry for a customized tour , we can arrange everything in advance to suit your time, pace, and preferences!

We have over 20 years of experience in China tour tailoring.

Or contact us for more Beijing Great Wall tours .

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