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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.
On the sixth day of the New Year, the weather was very good. In order to live up to the blue sky, I was ready to start my mountain climbing journey again. When I saw the arrow buttoning the Great Wall on Ctrip, I was immediately attracted to fix it. After climbing so many mountains around Beijing, the Great Wall of Arrow Button hasn't been there once. I've heard about its adventures for a long time. This time, I must not miss it again. Get on the bus and direct Golden Navigation. The first sign of entering the Great Wall of Arrow Button is the entrance of Arrow Button, and click on the guide decisively. (Because I haven't done any homework, this random navigation is disastrous, reminding donkey friends that climbing the Wild Mountain must require homework in advance As a result, it was guided to the rainbow trout farming base in Jiaojiaoshan by navigation. After getting off the train and simply asking the directions of passers-by, it began to climb the mountain in high spirits. It happened at 12 noon (who knows it was a nightmare trip, but later learned that the shortest and best way to go on the arrow button Great Wall was Xizhazi Village in the north, and the way I chose to enter the mountain was Tianxianyu Village, the hardest to walk in the south). Although the initial road was narrow, uneven and thorny, the dirt road gradually turned into a stone road and then into a rock road, but because of the mountainous climbing, it was steep but steep. It doesn't matter at all. With the twists and turns of the road (if you can call the way), the stone road has completely turned into a rock road, a cliff road, and the whole mountain is my own, except for the crow's cries and my more and more rapid breathing, heartbeat, and sometimes the sound of falling rocks stepping down the mountain, I can't hear any other sound. Many times I think I've lost my way to the end, but I see it. The colorful strips and empty water bottles hanging on the high branches convince us that this should be a sign made by donkey friends. The nervousness and helplessness can be slowed down slightly. But as more and more difficult hands and feet are used, the cliffs that can barely climb up by climbing the stone tips and branches gradually increase, but the mood gradually sinks to the bottom, looking at the cliffs ahead and the roads that can not be seen, the Great Wall in the distance gradually pulls. Nearly lost, I realized that the danger of climbing was gradually increased by the exhaustion of physical strength. I was so frustrated that I was afraid of coming back again. For the first time in my life, I was in a dilemma of helplessness. My mobile phone didn't have a signal. At that time, I really wanted to be in danger even if no one saved me (reminding me again that I must do my homework before climbing)! I want to emphasize that although I have been encouraging myself, since so many people come up (empty bottles between rocks as evidence) why can't I do it, in fact, the greater motivation is that I really dare not go back, thinking that there must be other ways down the mountain, even if it is far away, I will go down the other way. Finally, it took 2.5 hours to climb up the Great Wall. The view was really beautiful. Cui Wei's winding Great Wall had a good view. His mood was very bright. He swept away the haze before, especially in the direction of Little Budala. He was tall and handsome. He really could not bear the hardship of the road. But for the reasons of time and physical strength, he was also able to take the enthusiastic tourists from the north. This arrow buckle trip only spent half an hour on the Great Wall, did not really experience the trip to the Great Wall, leaving regret, next time we must do a good job to climb arrow buckle again, do a real hero!
Dragon Boat Festival, 2014. On the first day, we chose to stay in the farmyard under the Shengquan Temple. The next morning, after breakfast, we set out. It's a rare fine day in Beijing. It's just amazing. In Beijing for more than ten years, I have never met such blue sky and white clouds. The Great Wall of Qianggu is located in Badaohe Township. The road to enter the scenic spot is somewhat narrow, and the driving vision is not good, so we need to be cautious. Before entering the scenic spot, it was a lane for about ten minutes. Scenic area, charge 20 - local villagers, after bargaining 10 people. We gave 150 arrows to the Great Wall, which is dangerous. After consultation, we chose a relatively easy way to climb. After a dense forest, about forty minutes, you can climb the slower enemy building. Further up, there is no repair. A straight up, straight down, hand and foot section. Because there are ladies. We chose men to climb. Madam, take a detour and rest. After hard work, we reached the higher enemy building, with a clear view of all the beautiful scenery. Looking up, we can see the most famous "eagle flying down and up". Suggestion: arrow buckle the Great Wall. More dangerous. Please carry professional climbing equipment to climb.
The Great Wall is absolutely worth visiting. It has beautiful scenery and medium difficulty coefficient. It can feel the wisdom of the ancients, the vicissitudes of history, and the unique charm of the Great Wall given by the old people of the years. It is also an excellent choice for fitness and hiking. Lightweight is also acceptable.