How to Visit the Great Wall - Most Useful Suggestions

When Is the Best Time to Visit?

• Spring (April to May)
• Autumn (September to October)

They are the ideal seasons to visit this grand fortification. The temperatures during these periods are neither too hot nor too cold, and they offer some amazing scenery at the same time.

In spring, everything comes to life. The Wall is surrounded by abundant flora and fauna, displaying a lively vista to its visitors. When autumn arrives, various leaves start to turn red, gold, yellow, and brown, decorating the Wall with color.

Of course, you can also visit The Wall in summer or winter if that suits your schedule better. Since the scenery varies with each season, these will definitely bring different vibes to travelers than during spring or autumn. Remember, however, to prepare for more extreme temperatures, and try to avoid the crowds in the more popular sections.

Read Best Time to Visit the Great Wall for more details.

Selecting a Section of the Great Wall to Visit

Long enough to extend across ten provinces, the Great Wall of China includes many sections worthy of being visited. Check the table below to compare sections of the Great Wall around Beijing and decide which one is right for you.

Tips for Great Wall Hiking

The best hiker-friendly sections:

• Gubeikou, Jinshanling, Jiankou, Simatai and Huanghuacheng

Personal safety, physical conditions, and weather conditions are the main factors that hikers should take into consideration. Below are some suggestions to help.

1. Firstly, a travel guide is strongly recommended. A guided hike should afford you a higher quality trip than a self-conducted one. Especially at some of the more dangerous parts like Jiankou and Simatai, you may need guidance and help.

2. Please gear up sufficiently for your trip. Hikers should pack sunglasses, sunblock (especially for hikes starting at noon), hat, good hiking shoes, coat, hiking cane, compass, map, flashlight (for overnight stays in a village or camping at the Great Wall), bottles of water, and some snacks that provide rapid-release energy.

3. Weather-wise, the best hiking time at the Great Wall is late summer or autumn. During these periods, the weather is dry and hot, so you will have clear views and safer walking trails. Furthermore, starry nights outside the big city are irresistible. Whenever you go, check the weather 3 days beforehand.

4. Suggested itinerary for a 2-day Great Wall hike: Day-1 Beijing - Gubeikou - Jinshanling; Day-2 Jiankou - Mutianyu - Beijing, which is a popular route covering four wild sections and one restored one (Mutianyu Section).

5. Suggested itinerary for a 3-day Great Wall hike: Day 1 Beijing - Gubeikou - Jinshanling; Day 2 Jiankou - Mutianyu; Day 3 Huanghuacheng - Xishuiyu Lakeside Great Wall - Beijing. Trek up the mountainside and visit the special part of the Great Wall immersed in water.

How to Get to the Great Wall

As it is complicated for travelers to change buses from downtown Beijing to any section of the Great Wall, we strongly advise you to book a Private Great Wall Tour through China Travel to any section of the Great Wall, or the equivalent through your hotel.

You can use our service according to your time schedule and your requirements. The car is equipped with comfortable seats and air-conditioning, while you will get a professional Beijing driver and an English-speaking tour guide.

How to Avoid Crowds

It is imperative to understand the fact that Chinese people themselves often make the Great Wall their tourist destination. Therefore, to ensure a more pleasant trip, you need to know the following things.

• Avoid weekends and public holidays: Labor Day Holiday (May 1st - 3rd)) and National Day Holiday (October 1st-7th). 
• Choose one of the less crowded sections to visit, such as Mutianyu, Simatai, and Huanghuacheng.
• It is better to find a local guide who can lead you along a more comfortable part of the Wall.

Tips for Wheelchair Users

For wheelchair users, Badaling, Juyongguan Pass, and Mutianyu Great Wall are more wheelchair-friendly, because elevators make the paths and facilities accessible.

• Badaling section: As the most wheelchair-friendly section, Badaling is equipped with ramps, cable cars, and elevators. However, the two elevators used for easy ascent should be booked in advance.
• Mutianyu section: The cable cars at Mutianyu can help wheelchair users ascend the wall, and there is a ramp to the platform below the 14th watchtower.
• Juyongguan Pass: A 180-meter barrier-free route at the east gate leads to the top of the Pass, where wheelchair users can enjoy a panoramic view of the wall.

Spending a Night at the Great Wall

Accommodation at the Great Wall is limited to farmhouses, hostels, and guesthouses. Camping is possible at certain wilder sections but requires arrangements to be made by an agency. Remember to bring all the equipment for your camping, because the shops at the foot of the wall do not sell any camping supplies.

A benefit of spending a night at the Great Wall is that you can see the sunset and rise over the Wall, and capture the splendid scenery with photographs. You will also be able to enjoy a less crowded Great Wall tour in the early morning.

Tips for Great Wall Photography

The Great Wall is beloved by all keen photographers. A successful photographic tour is all about choosing the right section of The Wall, and the right time of year. The information below deals with these two factors.

Firstly, the sections best fit for photography include Mutianyu, Jiankou, Jinshanling, and Simatai. They can be photographed in all aspects within one day. If however, you are aiming for sunset, sunrise, or night-sky photos, you will need to spend one-night camping at the wall, or staying in a village home.

Secondly, the best time for photography differs for each section of the Wall, yet generally, the best time would be summer and autumn.

Moreover, you had better hire a tour guide who is a photographer himself, so that he can lead you to the key positions for unique shots, and share his experiences with you. You can find professional photography guides at local travel agencies, or join a special photographic tour arranged by a photography club.

Apart from the usual supplies, essential gear for your trip will include a wide-angle lens, lens hood, tripod, flashlight, durable camera pack, teleconverter, lens cleanser cloths, and at least 2 extra batteries.