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7 Great Wall Tours from Beijing: Find Your Perfect Adventure 🗺
The Great Wall of China is Beijing’s crown jewel, but with so many sections to choose from, it’s like picking your favorite dumpling at a feast—tricky! From iconic hotspots to wild trails and even underwater views, we’ve rounded up seven top sections accessible from Beijing, along with tips on what to expect and how to choose the perfect one for your vibe. Let’s find your Great Wall adventure!
1️⃣ Badaling (八达岭长城): The Classic Crowd-Pleaser
Just 1–1.5 hours from Beijing, Badaling is the Wall’s rockstar—fully restored, with epic views and crowds to match. Cable cars, paved paths, and facilities (restrooms, snack stalls) make it super accessible. Expect a lively vibe, especially on weekends.
💡 Pro tip: Venture past North 8 for quieter spots.
❤️ Fun fact: Badaling opened to tourists in 1957, making it the OG visitor section.
💥 Best For: First-timers, families, or those short on time.
2️⃣ Mutianyu (慕田峪长城): The Scenic Sweet Spot
About 1.5–2 hours away, Mutianyu is a traveler's favorite for its lush forest views (90% greenery!) and slightly fewer crowds than Badaling. With cable cars, chairlifts, and a thrilling toboggan ride down, it’s great for families or thrill-seekers. The 5.4 km wall features 20 watchtowers, perfect for epic photos.
💡 Pro tip: Hit it on a weekday for calm vibes and snap the hills at sunset.
❤️ Fun fact: Mutianyu’s name, meaning “admire the fields,” nods to its nearby orchards.
💥 Best For: Photographers, families, or those seeking a blend of history and fun.
3️⃣ Jinshanling (金山岭长城): The Hiker’s Dream
A 2–3 hour drive, Jinshanling is a photographer’s paradise with 10 km of partially restored walls and 67 watchtowers. It’s quieter, with moderate-to-challenging hikes over uneven paths and jaw-dropping views.
💡 Pro tip: Pack water and hiking shoes; facilities are basic.
❤️ Fun fact: Watchtowers here have poetic names like “Flower Tower.”
💥Best For: Hikers and photographers craving solitude. Opt for a private hiking tour.
4️⃣ Juyongguan (居庸关长城): The History Buff’s Pick
Just 1–1.5 hours from Beijing, Juyongguan is a historic pass with well-preserved walls and stunning mountains; less crowded than Badaling. As a key military stronghold, it’s rich in stories, with shorter trails for quick visits. Cable cars and some wheelchair-friendly paths add accessibility.
💡 Pro tip: Snap the Cloud Platform gate for a unique shot.
❤️ Fun fact: Its name, “common valley pass,” reflects its strategic role.
💥 Best For: History lovers or those wanting a quick, less hectic trip.
5️⃣ Jiankou (箭扣长城): The Wild Adventure
About 1.5–2 hours away, Jiankou is the Wall’s untamed side—unrestored, steep, and thrilling. Crumbling watchtowers and rugged trails offer stunning views but demand fitness and caution. There are no facilities, so bring snacks and consider hiring a guide for safety.
💡 Pro tip: The 4-hour Jiankou-to-Mutianyu hike is bucket-list-worthy.
❤️ Fun fact: The “Sky Stair” climb is as epic as it sounds.
💥 Best For: Adventure seekers and fit hikers.
6️⃣ Huanghuacheng (黄花城水长城): The Lakeside Stunner
Roughly 1.5–2 hours from Beijing, Huanghuacheng is nicknamed the “Water Great Wall” for its unique reservoir views, with parts of the wall submerged under a shimmering lake. It’s partially restored, with moderate hiking trails and serene scenery, perfect for nature lovers. Expect fewer crowds but basic facilities.
💡 Pro tip: Snap the wall meeting the lake for a surreal photo.
❤️ Fun fact: The reservoir was created in the 1970s, giving Huanghuacheng its one-of-a-kind look.
💥 Best For: Photographers, nature enthusiasts, or those seeking a peaceful and scenic escape.
7️⃣ Simatai (司马台长城): The Nighttime Magic
A 2–3 hour drive, Simatai stands out for its dramatic, steep terrain and exclusive night tours, where the wall glows under lights. Partially restored, it’s less crowded and offers a mix of rugged trails and restored sections. Night tours (seasonal, check availability) are a unique draw.
💡 Pro tip: Book a private tour for night access and capture the lit-up watchtowers.
❤️ Fun fact: Simatai’s 10 watchtowers include the famous “Fairy Tower” with panoramic views.
💥 Best For: Night owls, photographers, or those seeking a unique experience. Private tours ensure access.
❓ How to Choose Your Vibe
➜ Short on time? Badaling or Juyongguan are the closest and easiest.
➜ Want photos? Mutianyu, Jinshanling, or Huanghuacheng deliver stunning backdrops.
➜ Craving adventure? Jiankou or Simatai’s night tours bring the thrill.
➜ Family-friendly? Mutianyu’s toboggan and Badaling’s cable cars win.
➜ On a budget? Take public transport to Badaling or join a group tour.
💡 Pro tip: Visit in spring or fall for comfortable weather.
Your Great Wall snaps will be epic! Search "Beijing" to get more ideas and travel tips from our Local Guide!
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The Jiankou Great Wall in Beijing is backed by a steep mountain, and is rugged and beautiful. It has not been artificially renovated and appears to be simple and natural. Due to its primitiveness and steepness, for the sake of protecting cultural relics and safety, tourists are not allowed to climb it without permission from the relevant departments.
The Jiankou Great Wall is located in Badaohe Township, northwest of Huairou District, Beijing. It is 1,141 meters above sea level and about 30 kilometers from the center of Huairou District. The mountains are very varied, and the Great Wall on the dangerous peaks and cliffs is even more majestic and dangerous. The Jiankou Great Wall is named because the entire section of the Great Wall is winding in the shape of the English letter "W", which looks like a full bow with an arrow. The Jiankou Great Wall is one of the most famous dangerous sections of the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty. It is the section with the highest photo rate in various Great Wall albums in recent years and has always been a hot spot for Great Wall photography.
The Jiankou Great Wall is located in Badaohe Township, northwest of Huairou District, Beijing. It is 1,141 meters above sea level and about 30 kilometers away from the center of Huairou District. The mountain terrain is very varied, and the Great Wall on the dangerous peaks and cliffs appears even more majestic and dangerous.
I climbed up from the north slope once before, which was easier to climb and not difficult. This time, I deliberately climbed from the south slope and Shuntong. Because we were separated from the main group and walked separately from one place, we entered a particularly difficult place to climb. For the first time in my life, I felt the fear of falling off a cliff. At that time, I was thinking about what to do. I couldn’t go up or down. Finally, I gritted my teeth and climbed up. I looked up and saw that it was the city wall. We were excited. After going up, it really took a long time to relax. When we saw someone coming, we started to ask others where they came from and started looking for a way down the mountain. We didn’t climb the Great Wall at all and went down the mountain directly because we were really scared when we climbed up. I advise everyone to make a decisive move and turn back to find another way when you encounter a particularly difficult climb, otherwise the higher you climb, the less you will have a way to retreat.
The essence of the Jiankou Great Wall should be between Beijing Jie and Zhen (Zheng) Beilou. If you plan to hike for four or five hours a day, this section should take at least two days to complete. Attached is a schematic diagram of the route and the village, so you can plan your route. Various professional equipment are available. If you don’t want to bring too many things, you can prepare a pair of gloves, which will be useful for climbing difficult routes. Calculate the time and prepare water and food. There are many cut branches on the roadside that can be used as trekking poles. Before there is network, open sports software such as Gudong, which can record the route you walk and make it easier to find the way back. If you are worried, you can write down the rescue team’s phone number in advance and inform your relatives and friends. After all, some places are more dangerous. If you navigate from Beijing to Jiankou, you will go up from the south side of Tianxianyu Rainbow Trout. Some people say that this route is not very good. I haven’t been there, so I’m not sure. I was guided to Xizhazi. There will be a memorial archway at the place. In fact, that should be the first team of Xizhazi. You will start climbing up the mountain from the seven courtyards of Shuyue. You can park the car there and you won’t drive far ahead. I started hiking at 11:30. At first, there was a narrow cement road. The road forked to the right, and then immediately went up the mountain on the left. Pay attention to the painted road signs on the ground. There were simple instructions with paint and ribbons on the stones and trees in the forest. Pay attention. At 12:20, we arrived at a hilltop. We had to go down there. We could see many ribbons tied to the trees in that direction. I had some simple food here. I arrived at the Great Wall before 1:00. This section of the road was about 2.2 kilometers. Go up to the left (east) to the side of Jiankou Niujiao and head towards Mutianyu. Go west for 20 minutes to reach the North Tower. It is best to climb to the top of the North Tower to take a look. The view is very good, but forget it if you are afraid of heights. The road west of the North Tower began to become dilapidated and difficult to walk, and the scenery began to get better. After walking west for more than half an hour, there was no facility at the location of the telescopic neck of the iron ladder. We found it difficult to go down without equipment, so we started to return. We walked on the mountain road for an hour and a half on the way there, and walked on the Great Wall for an hour. On the way back, we walked on the Great Wall for 40 minutes and on the mountain road for an hour. It took about four hours, 6.4 kilometers round trip. Finally, I suggest that if you want to experience a more interesting section of the road, don't choose my route. Continue to Xizhazi, ask for directions, drive all the way to the second team, go up the mountain and walk to the right to the telescopic neck, the small Potala, and go to the ladder and the Eagle Flying Upward. Wherever you go is where you go. You don't have to go back the same way. You can go down to the fifth team and give some money to the villagers to drive you back to the second team. Everyone can bring garbage bags and take away the garbage they produce. Don't take the bricks of the Great Wall. Protecting the Great Wall is to protect our historical and cultural heritage and to pass on our national spirit. It is everyone's responsibility and obligation.
Jiankou Great Wall is located in Badaohe Township, Huairou District, Beijing, about 28 kilometers northwest of Huairou District, close to the northwest edge of Mutianyu Great Wall, and is one of the most famous dangerous sections of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. Jiankou Great Wall is a wild Great Wall and has been somewhat maintained in recent years. Some sections are extremely difficult and dangerous to climb, such as the Yanfeidaoyang section, Beijing knot, and Jiankou section. This is a popular photography spot, and the scenery presents the special tragic beauty and natural beauty of the Great Wall.
[Climbed Jiankou] From the West Wall to the Ladder. I want to say that if girls want to show their fairy-like sports side, they can choose to go to Mutianyu Great Wall, etc. If you want to show your iron-blooded real manly side, then go to Jiankou. I went to Jiankou purely because of its reputation. I read the guide and knew it was steep, but I never thought that it really required the use of hands and feet, full concentration, step by step, and hard climbing. If you are not careful, there is a risk of falling or slipping. When we went up the mountain from Team 5 of Xizhazi Village, the road was difficult to walk on, and there were dense weeds on both sides that were taller than people. It might have caused a mild allergy. My tears kept coming out, my nose was itchy and runny, and the sunscreen I applied was mixed in my sweat. I used tissues while walking... God knows, I didn't dare to look at how ugly it was. I thought... this was the worst side that could be shown on this trip. Later, I found out that I was naive... After connecting to the west wall of Jiankou from the weedy road, in order to survive and to move bricks on Monday, I... I really did my best to survive. Like my ancestors, the apes, I chose to climb with my hands and feet. I didn't dare to look at other places. I could only focus on the broken bricks and stones in front of me. Sometimes I had to move horizontally to change the road. Most of the footholds felt less than a few centimeters wide. I didn't dare to be afraid, nor did I dare to cry and sneeze again. The allergy was scared away. The first time I rock climbed was not indoors, but in Jiankou... I felt like I was at the peak of my debut. Fortunately, after we climbed the "Beijing Knot" alone, we met many kind people behind us. An outdoor sports team enthusiastically lent us ropes. Although two big brothers didn't remember the landmarks clearly, they still told us where to go down the mountain. There was also an uncle who often climbed Jiankou and told us that if we really encountered a difficult road, we could go around the inner wall to find a small path. Anyway, we climbed down. It's really a picturesque landscape. [Difficult Climbing] Me: "Boyfriend, what's the rescue team's phone number? Is it charged?" Boyfriend: "I don't know, but there are charges for ambulances and helicopters." Enthusiastic uncle: "Hey, young man, help the girl." Boyfriend: "Oh, it's okay, she can do it."
Compared with Badaling and Mutianyu, the wild Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty is too steep and rugged. When I really arrived at the site, I didn't wear hiking shoes or gloves. The equipment must be professional, otherwise the safety factor is low. Although the homestay is close, you still have to drive to the nearest entrance. After parking in the parking lot, you have to walk for 15 minutes to Jiankou. There is a long ladder to climb the Great Wall. The villagers charge 10 yuan. No matter which way you go, it makes people a little nervous at first sight. There was fog on that day and visibility was very low. The advantage is that there are few tourists. There are not 10 tourists on the road. Using hands and feet all the way consumes a lot of physical strength. Be sure to bring water and food. Of course, take away the garbage consciously and don't leave it on the Great Wall. The wildness and unruliness of the Ming Great Wall left a deep impression on me. I will bring my children to climb next time!