The Great Wall near Beijing长城
Which section to choose — Mutianyu, Badaling, Jinshanling, Jiankou or Simatai — and how to get there without a tour bus.
Photo: TarnishedPath · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
- Time needed
- A full day including transfer (3–4 hours on the wall)
- Best time
- April–May and September–October; weekday mornings. Autumn colours peak in late October.
- Nearest base
- Beijing
About The Great Wall near Beijing
The walls around Beijing are mostly Ming-dynasty (1368–1644) brick and stone fortifications, built along mountain ridges with watchtowers every few hundred metres. They are part of the Great Wall World Heritage site inscribed in 1987.
Several sections are open to visitors, and they feel very different. Badaling is the closest and most developed; Mutianyu is restored, green and well organised, with a cable car and a toboggan run; Jinshanling and Simatai are further out and partly unrestored; Jiankou is wild, steep and best done with a guide.
Tickets and getting there
- Booking
- Tickets are sold online with your passport number through each section’s official channel; Badaling requires real-name advance booking. Keep your passport with you.
- How to get there
- Mutianyu is about 1.5 hours by car from central Beijing; Badaling about 1 hour and reachable by train from Beijing North (Qinghe) station. A private car with driver is the easiest way to reach Jinshanling or Mutianyu.
Almost every major sight in China books by passport number. See what to set up before you fly.
Highlights
- Mutianyu — Best all-round section for first-timers and families.
- Jinshanling — Mix of restored and original wall; excellent hiking and sunsets.
- Badaling — Closest to the city; very busy at weekends and holidays.
- Jiankou — Steep, unrestored and dramatic — for experienced hikers with a guide.
- Simatai — Visited from Gubei Water Town; evening visits in season.
Field notes
- Walk away from the cable car stations — crowds thin after 15 minutes.
- Wear grippy shoes: steps are uneven and steep.
- Avoid Chinese public holidays, when Badaling and Mutianyu are extremely crowded.
Staying in Beijing
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Temple of Heaven
Where Ming and Qing emperors prayed for good harvests — and where Beijingers now come to dance, sing and play cards every morning.
Summer Palace
The Qing imperial garden on Kunming Lake: the Long Corridor, the Marble Boat and Longevity Hill.
FAQ
Which part of the Great Wall is best for first-time visitors?
Mutianyu. It is restored, scenic, less crowded than Badaling and has a cable car up and a toboggan down.
Can I visit the Great Wall without a tour?
Yes. Book tickets online, then take a DiDi, private driver or the public bus/train options. A driver is the most time-efficient choice for Mutianyu and Jinshanling.
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