You’ve landed in Beijing and you’re itching to get out to the Great Wall of China. But which section is the best to visit?
I’ve lived, worked, and traveled extensively in China. And to be honest, I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve visited the Great Wall.
Here are the most popular sections for day trips from Beijing, in order from my most favorite section to my least favorite.
I’ve done all the hard work for you!
1. Jinshanling
Look behind me – not one other tourist at Jinshanling. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.
If you’re like me and you love hiking but hate crowds, the Jinshanling section is the best section of the Great Wall of China that’s within reach of Beijing.
Why I recommend it:
- Hardly any local tourists (most Chinese don’t like breaking a sweat)
- Hardly any foreign tourists (they head to the closer sections)
- Natural and no cable cars
- Stunning photo opportunities
- Peaceful and surreal
Some pitfalls:
- It’s very steep – avoid it if you’re very unfit
- Limited food and drink options
Jinshanling is about 2 hours from Beijing by car or bus.
I did this small group tour and absolutely loved it.
2. Simatai
Enjoy the stunning views and great hike down Simatai. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.
I have a love-hate relationship with the Simatai section of the Great Wall of China.
The Wall itself is amazing, steep, and has brilliant views of the area.
I’m just not a fan of the super-touristy Gubei Water Town, which is a recreated meandering village at the base of the wall. You can skip it though, if you want.
Why I recommend it:
- Most local tourists stick to Gubei Water Town and don’t venture up the steep wall
- You can get the cable car up and/or down or not use it at all
- Lovely views of the surrounding valleys
- There’s a zipline near the bottom if you’re feeling adventurous
Some pitfalls:
- Feels touristy due to Gubei Water Town
- Super-steep in parts
Simatai is about 2 hours from Beijing by car or bus.
I did this large group tour and enjoyed it.
3. Mutianyu
Lining up for the toboggan to go down Mutianyu. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.
This section is most loved by foreign tourists.
It’s popular because it’s a bit further from Beijing than the Badaling section – which is heaving with Chinese tourists – and you can ride a toboggan all the way down Mutianyu.
Why I recommend it:
- It’s the most fun section thanks to the toboggan
- It’s huge – there are East and West sections
- There’s a chair lift (East) and cable car (West) for easy access
- It’s one of the best restored sections of the Wall
- Lots of food and drink options
Some pitfalls:
- There are so many foreigners it feels like you’re at United Nations HQ!
- Not peaceful or serene, e.g. souvenir vendors scream all day
Mutianyu is about 1.5 hours from Beijing by car or bus.
I did this large group tour and enjoyed it.
4. Juyongguan
A busy section of the Great Wall is Juyongguan. Image by Yunnanart on Pixabay.
I haven’t been to the Juyongguan section in many years. But it’s still a good one to explore.
Why I recommend it:
- Closest section to Beijing
- You can see one of the ancient forts that defended the capital
- More accessible than other sections
Some pitfalls:
- Lots of local tourists as it’s close to Beijing
Juyongguan is about 1.5 hours from Beijing by car or bus.
5. Huanghuacheng
You can take in the views of the Huanghuacheng by boat. Image by Trip.
This is where parts of the Great Wall are submersed in water, giving this section a unique edge.
Why I recommend it:
- Not as touristy as many other sections
- Picturesque views and Instagrammable photos
- Water-based activities for the whole family
Some pitfalls:
- Feels touristy due to all the extra activities
- Views aren’t as good as some other sections
Huanghuacheng is about 1.5 hours from Beijing by car or bus.
Check out this awesome group tour which includes a boat ride.
6. Badaling
The busiest section, favored by local Chinese tourists. Image by Javen on Shutterstock.
I usually save the best to last in my articles, but not this time.
Badaling is where all the locals head to. It’s also popular with some older foreign tourists who just want a quick snap of the Wall without all the climbing.
Why the locals like it:
- Close to Beijing
- Cable cars up and down
- Lots of shops and restaurants
Some pitfalls:
- Insanely busy during peak periods
- Noisy and not very peaceful
How do you get to the Great Wall?
The Wall isn’t served well by public transport as it’s quite far from Beijing. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.
The easiest way is to get a tour bus, as public transport options are either non-existent or long and difficult.
Didi (China’s Uber) is also available but very expensive as it’s a minimum 3-hour return trip.
Please click on the links above for tried and tested tours. It helps me to keep sharing free content about traveling to China.
Have an awesome time hiking the Wall!
I bloody love this thing! Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.
To summarize, if I were to recommended just one section of the Great Wall to friends and family, it would be Jinshanling.
However, you have to have a certain level of fitness for Jinshanling as there aren’t any cable cars or chair lifts.
For more conveniences (but loads more tourists) then head to Simatai or Mutianyu.
And don’t forget to prepare yourself for China with my recommended VPN and recommended eSIM. Or go straight to the best VPN here:
That way, you can climb both the Great Wall and the Great Firewall of China without fuss!
Next, check the best time of year to visit the Great Wall of China. Spoiler: it’s spring or fall or anytime it’s not Chinese holidays.
Main image credit: Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.
FAQ about visiting The Great Wall of China
What’s the best section of the Great Wall to visit?
In my opinion, it’s Jinshanling as it’s quieter and more natural than the other sections, plus it has stunning, unimpeded views.
How far is the Great Wall of China from Beijing?
The closest sections which are open to tourists, Badaling and Juyongguan, are about a 90-minute drive from downtown Beijing. Other sections are at least another 30 minutes away.
What’s the busiest section of the Great Wall of China?
Badaling, which is overrun with local Chinese tourists. In peak periods, you could be waiting for more than an hour just to ride the cable car. Avoid it if you can.
