Beijing Great Wall

Beijing is the best destination to admire the Great Wall of China. Most famous Beijing Great Wall sections are located in its suburban areas, including the well-preserved Badaling and Mutianyu, the renovated Juyonguan, Jinshanling and Simatai, and wild Jiankou and Gubeikou. They are all not far from downtown Beijing, 1-2 hours’ driving away.

In Chinese history, Beijing was not only one of the ancient capitals, but also one of the most strategic cities in the north. To defend their territory, many rulers have actively ordered to build Great Wall here.

The Great Wall of China in Beijing totals 573 kilometers (356 miles). Those from Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the last dynasty engaged in Great Wall construction, amount to 526 kilometers (327 miles). They are distributed in Pinggu, Miyun, Huairou, Yanqing, Changping, and Mentougou.

Read more: Great Wall of China in Huairou, Beijing 
Beijing Great Wall

Most Visited Sections


These sections are equipped with sound tourism facilities, even suitable for kids and seniors. Among them, Badaling is the best-preserved, and famous for its deep-rooted culture, magnificent sights and complete military facilities. You may find many of its pictures in magazines and guide books and printed on stamps. However, during peak travel time like National Day Holiday or Chinese New Year, Mutianyu may be a better destination as Badaling is always flocked with visitors. Juyongguan is one of three most famous passes along Great wall. There, one can also visit some ancient buildings like towers and temples.
 

Popular Sections with Fewer Tourists


These sections have also been developed into scenic spots and are popular among visitors, but are less crowded and one can visit at a leisurely pace. Jinshanling and Simatai have been equipped with cableways. But to visit Simatai, you’d better make a reservation on its official website. Shuiguan, literally meaning water gate, is built over a river to defend against enemies coming from waterways. Although the river has disappeared, one can still learn the magnificence of this special defensive construction. In addition to visit the Great Wall near Beijing, Xiangshuihu is a site to learn some traditional Chinese health preserving knowledge.
 

 Recommended tours including the sections:
 Jinshanling Hiking from $119

 Simatai Hiking with Gubei Water Town from $149

 Simatai to Jinshanling Hiking

Wild Sections


Wild Great Wall refers to those that have not been reconstructed and thus retain their original appearances. Although they are broken and dilapidated, the vicissitudes of history are fully revealed. They are hot destinations among hiking lovers and adventurous travelers. Among them, Jiankou is the most dangerous but a great site for photography. Huanghuacheng, partially submerged underwater due to the construction of a reservoir, is the only section by water in Beijing. However, it is not officially allowed to hike the wild sections for safety issues and protection work. So when going there, please be careful and do not do any harm to the precious historical relics.
 


 Recommended tours including the sections:
 Huanghuacheng Hiking from $99

 Beijing Knot Hiking:Essence of Jiankou Great Wall from Beijing Knot to Jiankou Spot
 Gubeikou Hiking: 5-6 hours of Hexi Village – Gubeikou  – Jinshanling 
 


The downtown Beijing to Great Wall distance is about 60 – 130 km (35 - 80 mi), so you can get to most of them from Beijing by public transport, private car, or private tour.

Public transport is a nice choice for budget travelers. For example, you can take bus line 877, high speed train or S2 train to Badaling directly; bus 916 Express to Mutianyu with a transfer at Huairou. They are relatively close to downtown, so you can make a day trip. If going further to Jinshanling or Simatai, you need to stay overnight there. 

Or, you can charter a private car and driver to the sites very easily. Usually, the car rental fee is around CNY 700-1,000 for a round-trip to Badaling and Mutianyu, and CNY 1,200 – 1,400 to further sections like Jinshanling and Simatai. 

Other than public transport and private cars, joining a private day tour is a perfect choice for first-time visitors and those who have limited time or worry about language barriers. 

 See also
How to Get to Great Wall from Beijing Airport  

How to Get to Badaling from Downtown 

How to Get to Mutianyu from Downtown

Best Places to See Great Wall of China
 

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



 
 

Damages Brought about by Nature and Human Activities

Compared with the sections in other regions, the Great Wall near Beijing is relatively well-preserved. However, its situation is not that good due to nature and human activities. Some bricks and stones are loose and fall down easily, and some even become piles of debris. The natural factors like erosion, rain, winds, and lightning strikes cause damages to the heritage day by day. The shrubs growing on the wall and in the watchtowers cause them to crack and collapse. What's more, the growing number of tourists crowd into the wild sections, which speeds up their disappearance. Though it is favored by film producers, the shooting work brings no good. On the contrary, they leave props here and there. Some people like to put graffiti on the Great Wall, and some even shove bricks and sell them for personal benefits.
 

A Call for Urgent Protection

To better protect this human treasure, government, tourists, and local residents should all work together. More laws and regulations should be carried out; tourists should be more careful and bind themselves during the visit; local residents should also stop making benefits from it and pay more attention to its protection in daily life. 
- Last updated on Aug. 15, 2024 by Catherine He -
Questions & Answers on Beijing Great Wall
Asked by Julia from POLSKA | Sep. 24, 2024 06:49Reply
Badaling
Hello! :) How long does it take to walk the South and the North part of the Badaling Great Wall?
Should I walk the South section first all the way and back to the North one and then from the end of the North section back to the given exit? The exit will probably be shown so that I don't miss it and leads me to the main entrance? Thank you very much!
Answers (7)
Answered by Keith | Sep. 24, 2024 19:24
00Reply


It may take 5-6 hours for hiking. You can walk to the south, then back to the north and finally go down from the north. The exit will be shown and you will easily find ways to the main entrance.
Answered by Julia | Sep. 25, 2024 04:49
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Thank you! And which section is more beautiful to see and take photos? And what time is the best to start the hike? Around 8am?
Answered by Daniel | Sep. 25, 2024 20:54
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The south part has fewer tourist, good for photograph, and people also take photos at Hero Slope and no. 12 watchtower of the north section. 08:00am is a good time to start.
Answered by Julia | Sep. 26, 2024 23:50
00Reply


Thanks! And if I want to go up and down by cableway (so, up to the entrance and down from the North section as far as I know?), then I should buy a ticket for two-way cablecar, shouldn't I? I cannot find the ticket with toboggan, so maybe they're not available online.
Answered by Keith | Sep. 28, 2024 18:00
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Yes. You need to buy a round trip ticket. You need to buy the toboggan ticket on the site. Note that it may stop in bad weather.
Answered by Julia | Sep. 28, 2024 23:00
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Great, thank you so much :) But cablecars don't stop even in bad weather?
Answered by Daniel | Sep. 29, 2024 22:46
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Cable cars are less influenced by bad weather than toboggan.
Asked by Emily from FRANCE | Jun. 17, 2024 01:47Reply
Can you see the great wall from a distance while in Beijing?
Is there anywhere in Beijing that you can see the Great Wall of China from a distance? I don't think I will have time to visit.
Many thanks!
Answers (1)
Answered by Marcy | Jun. 17, 2024 02:18
00Reply


I'm afraid no as the great wall is far away from Beijing downtown area.
Asked by Leyre from SPAIN | Apr. 04, 2024 07:21Reply
Forbidden City and Great Wall closed during Labor Day 1-5th May 2024?
Hello! I am traveling to Beijing from the 30th to the 4th of May.
I just learned it is Labor Day and it is National Holiday from the 1st til the 5th.

Do I have to worry for finding the major attractions closed?
Such as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall?

Thank you!
Answers (3)
Answered by Keith | Apr. 06, 2024 23:34
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The attractions won't be closed. Instead, they will receive much more visitors than usual. You are highly advised to book the entry tickets in advance. Also, the hotel price and domestic flight ticket will increase during the period.
Answered by gil | Apr. 07, 2024 23:37
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hi ,
can we purchase entrance tickets at the sites of badaling great wall and forbidden city on 16 Apr?
Answered by Keith | Apr. 08, 2024 19:38
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I'm afraid you can't. The two are super popular, and there won't be any ticket left for Badaling and for Forbidden City you'd acquire the tickets in advance, especially the one for the Forbidden City. Sometimes even you book in advance you will fail to get one. Highly advise you to book as early as possible. You can book with TravelChinaGuide hassle-free in advance.
Asked by HAMEDTABESH | Dec. 15, 2019 23:22Reply
what time is the best time for visiting Beijing?
Answers (2)
Answered by Janet from NEW ZEALAND | Dec. 16, 2019 21:49
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Generally speaking, March to November will be the suggested sightseeing time. Have a nice journey!
Answered by Li Hua | May. 15, 2022 04:38
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I think December to July will be the suggested sightseeing time,too.
Asked by Carissa from UNITED STATES | Dec. 05, 2019 23:15Reply
Public transportation from airport to great wall?
Has anyone taken public transportation from airport to great wall? I have a 15 hr layover is a private tour a safer bet? Also is a visitor visa required for a layover visit?
Answers (1)
Answered by Janice from AUSTRALIA | Dec. 16, 2019 21:50
00Reply


Well, there are several sections of the great wall. Which one do you refer to? Generally speaking, you can tour around during your layover. In order to save time, you are suggested to hire a private car.
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