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Beijing Great Wall

Almost every tourist includes the Great Wall on their must-visit list when traveling to China, and Beijing stands out as the premier destination for experiencing it.

In Chinese history, Beijing held the status of not merely one of the ancient capitals but also ranked among the most pivotal strategic locations in the north. To safeguard the territory, numerous rulers were eager to order the construction of the Great Wall here. Coincidentally, the north and west of Beijing are mountainous regions with complex and perilous terrains. These mountains provided an ideal natural foundation for the Great Wall's construction, enabling it to be built along ridges and key passes, enhancing its defensive capabilities.

Spanning 573 kilometers (356 miles) within Beijing, 526 kilometers (327 miles) of the Great Wall were constructed during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), stretching across various suburban areas. Here, you can find a diverse range of sections. There's Badaling, the most iconic; Mutianyu and Jinshanling, renowned for their beauty; Simatai and Jiankou, known for their steep terrains; and Huanghuacheng, famous for its unique underwater Great Wall. No matter what kind of Great Wall scenery you want to enjoy, Beijing can offer you the best choice.

Read more: Great Wall of China in Huairou, Beijing

Top 8 Great Wall Sections to Explore in Beijing

1. Mutianyu Great Wall - The Most Popular Section for Foreign Tourists

Mutianyu Great Wall

Mutianyu Great Wall stands out as one of China's most intact and renowned Great Wall sections, boasting the longest stretch of the wall within the country. Surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery and with a relatively smaller number of tourists, it has become a favorite among foreign visitors, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in its grandeur. The panoramic views from the cable car and the thrilling slide experience further enhance the enjoyment of exploring this section.

2. Badaling Great Wall - The Most Famous Section in China

Badaling Great Wall

The Badaling Great Wall is hailed as “the representative of the Great Wall of China” and is a must-visit spot for tourists who say “The man who does not reach the Great Wall is not a true man”. With the most convenient transportation and the most complete facilities, it offers a hassle-free option for tourists. Additionally, it has been a must-visit destination for numerous heads of state and international celebrities. However, given its immense popularity and the subsequent heavy tourist flow, especially during weekends and holidays like National Day and May Day, it is recommended to avoid these peak times for a more pleasant visit.

Badaling vs. Mutianyu: Help you to know which one is better.

3. Juyongguan Great Wall - A Millennium-old Town Encircled by the Great Wall

Juyongguan Great Wall

The Juyongguan Great Wall, also known as Juyong Pass, stands as one of the three renowned passes along the Great Wall of China. With a history that stretches back over a thousand years, it boasts meticulously designed walls, exquisitely crafted watchtowers, and breathtaking scenery. In contrast to other sections of the Great Wall, the area enclosed by Juyongguan's walls forms a unique “circle,” embracing temples and ancient buildings within its protective embrace. It is not merely a fragment of the wall but rather an ancient town, safeguarded and defined by the wall.

4. Jinshanling Great Wall - The Most Beautiful and Best-Photographed Section

Jinshanling Great Wall

The Jinshanling Great Wall has earned the moniker of “the paradise for photographers,” serving as an idyllic haven for photography enthusiasts and hikers alike. Its undulating ridges, abundant watchtowers, and breathtaking natural beauty offer a myriad of perfect photo-taking opportunities. At sunrise, the golden rays of the sun illuminate the winding Great Wall, making it resemble golden strings. Moreover, compared to other sections, Jinshanling boasts fewer tourists, making it an ideal place for a quiet exploration of the mysterious Great Wall.

5. Huanghuacheng Great Wall - The Only Lakeside Great Wall

Huanghuacheng Great Wall

The Huanghuacheng Great Wall is unique as the only lakeside Great Wall, offering a breathtaking view of the underwater Great Wall. Here, visitors can immerse themselves not only in the exhilarating experience of hiking along the Great Wall but also indulge in boating on the serene lake, traversing the thrilling glass bridge, and posing for photographs with the venerable 800-year-old chestnut tree. This destination presents a diverse array of tourist experiences, catering to a wide range of interests.

6. Simatai Great Wall - The Best Section for a Night Tour

Simatai Great Wall

The Simatai Great Wall stands as the sole section of the Great Wall in China that has retained its authentic Ming Dynasty charm. Designated as the “Original Great Wall” by UNESCO, it is famous for its rugged terrain and outstanding night-tour experience. As night falls, the Simatai Great Wall is illuminated by twinkling lights, which harmoniously blend with the splendid illuminations of the Gubei Water Town nestled at its base, offering visitors a unique and memorable Great Wall sightseeing experience.

7. Jiankou Great Wall - The Wildest and Most Precipitous Section

Jiankou Great Wall

The Jiankou Great Wall is a paradise for the adventurous at heart, boasting the wildest and most precipitous stretch, while retaining its primitive and rugged charm. Trekking through this terrain necessitates a certain level of physical fitness and experience, but the prize is unparalleled - untouched natural beauty and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. Embarking on this hike necessitates the use of professional equipment and the company of an expert guide.

8. Gubeikou Great Wall - The Ideal Section for Hiking Enthusiasts

Gubeikou Great Wall

The Gubeikou Great Wall has never been renovated and remains a desolate section of the Great Wall. It is highly popular among hikers as it retains its original appearance and is surrounded by beautiful scenery and steep mountains. Many hikers choose to combine their exploration of the Gubeikou Great Wall with the Jinshanling Great Wall, allowing them to immerse themselves in both the rugged charm of Gubeikou and the magnificence of Jinshanling during a single hiking adventure.

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How to Get to the Great Wall from Beijing

The distance from downtown Beijing to various sections of the Great Wall is approximately 60 - 130 kilometers (40 - 80 miles). You can get to most of these sections from Beijing via public transportation, tour groups, or by renting a car. The following table shows the transportation options available. For more detailed transportation-related information, you can click on the individual page of the specific Great Wall section you are interested in.

	Transportation options	Time required
Mutianyu	Tourist Bus, City Bus	1.5 - 3 hours
Badaling	High-Speed Train, Tourist Bus, City Bus, S2 Train	30 min - 3 hours
Juyongguan	Tourist Bus, City Bus	1.5 - 2 hours
Jinshanling	S5 Train, Tourist Bus, City Bus	2 - 3 hours
Huanghuacheng	Tourist Bus, City Bus	2 - 3 hours
Simatai	Tourist Bus, S5 Train	2.5 - 3.5 hours
Jiankou	City Bus	2.5 - 3.5 hours
Gubeikou	S5 Train, City Bus	3.5 - 4 hours

How to Get to Badaling from Downtown

How to Get to Mutianyu from Downtown

Best Places to See Great Wall of China

Beijing Great Wall Map

Please hover over the names on the following tourist map to learn more about the famous sections:

The Current Situation of the Great Wall in Beijing: Coexistence of Protection and Challenges

The Great Wall in Beijing stretches from east to west, traversing six districts, namely Pinggu, Miyun, Huairou, Yanqing, Changping, and Mentougou. Currently, certain sections of the Great Wall in Beijing, such as the renowned Badaling Great Wall and Mutianyu Great Wall, are relatively well-preserved. These have undergone rational restoration and development and have become popular tourist attractions.

However, some other sections that remain underdeveloped or are situated in remote areas are in a concerning state. Owing to long-term exposure to natural elements like wind, rain, and earthquakes, the wall has issues such as cracking, collapse, and weathering. Some bricks and stones have dropped off, undermining the wall's stability. Human-induced damage has also inflicted substantial harm on the Great Wall. There are still some tourists who scribble and litter randomly on it. Additionally, some local residents have removed bricks and stones from the Great Wall for construction purposes, causing damage to this historical relic.

What Efforts Have Been Made to Protect the Great Wall?

Great Wall Restoration Activity

1. In 2006, the State Council promulgated the “Regulations on the Protection of the Great Wall,” providing a clear legal framework and stipulating penalty measures for any acts of damaging the Great Wall.

2. Regular inspections and law enforcement measures are conducted to severely crack down on illegal activities, including unauthorized climbing of unexplored sections and illegal excavation of bricks and stones from the Wall.

3. Professional conservation teams and experts are organized to take targeted repair measures, tailored to the degree and characteristics of damage in different sections of the Wall.

4. Specialized institutions for the protection and management of the Great Wall have been established, with a clear division of responsibilities, to ensure unified and effective management of protection work.

5. Various activities, such as publicity campaigns, cultural exhibitions, and public lectures, are held to educate the public about the historical and cultural value of the Great Wall and to promote protection knowledge, thereby enhancing public awareness and support.

6. The importance and successful models of Great Wall protection are widely promoted through social media platforms. These platforms serve to expose damaging acts and to guide public opinion towards greater attention and support for the protection of this iconic heritage site.

- Last updated on Feb. 14, 2025 by Sule Su -