The Great Wall of China, an ancient military defense structure, has a history dating back to the Western Zhou period. After Emperor Qin Shi Huang unified the six states, the Wall came to be known as the “Ten Thousand Li Great Wall.” It spans various regions including Hebei, Beijing, Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Inner Mongolia, with over 600 kilometers of the Wall running through Beijing. This section represents the essence of the Ten Thousand Li Great Wall. Renowned as one of the Seven Wonders of the Medieval World, the Great Wall began during the Qin Dynasty and has been expanded and rebuilt over the centuries. Today, most of the visible Wall was constructed during the Ming Dynasty, with the famous Badaling section being one of the most representative Ming-era walls.
Travel Information about Beijing Great Wall Sections
Ticket Prices and Opening Hours
- Ticket Prices:
- Badaling, Juyongguan, Mutianyu: 40 RMB from April to October, 35 RMB from November to March.
- Jinshanling: 65 RMB.
- Opening Hours:
- Badaling: April to October: 6:30 AM – 4:30 PM; November to March: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM.
- Juyongguan: April to October: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM; November to March: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM.
- Mutianyu: March 16 to November 13: Monday to Friday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM; November 14 to March 15: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM.
Best Time to Visit
The Great Wall is suitable to visit year-round:
- Spring: Blossoms are in full bloom, with vibrant colors around the Wall.
- Summer: The mountains are lush and green, with the Wall winding through the landscape.
- Autumn: The scenery is painted in red and gold with the fall foliage.
- Winter: The Wall is covered in snow, creating a picturesque winter wonderland.
Getting to the Scenic Areas
- Badaling: Take bus 877, 880, or 919 from Deshengmen Station to Badaling Station. Alternatively, take the suburban railway S2 line from Huangtudian, or take D6703 or D6709 trains from Beijing North Station to Badaling Great Wall Station.
- Juyongguan: Take bus 919 from Deshengmen to Juyongguan.
- Mutianyu: Take the Mutianyu tourist shuttle bus from Qianmen Bus Station, Shaoyaoju Subway Station, or Dongzhimen Hub. For self-driving, take the Jingcheng Expressway and exit at Beitai Road, following signs to Mutianyu.
- Jinshanling: From April to November, a special Jinshanling Great Wall tourist bus operates from Dongzhimen Bus Station, departing at 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM on weekends and public holidays.
Attraction Ratings
- Cultural Significance: ★★★★★
- Distinctiveness: ★★★★★
- Leisure: ★★★★
- Scenic Beauty: ★★★★
- Romance: ★★★
- Adventure: ★★★
Different Sections of the Great Wall
Badaling Great Wall
The Badaling Great Wall stretches across the rugged peaks of the Yanshan Mountains, representing the most renowned and best-preserved section of the Ten Thousand Li Great Wall. As a distinguished segment of the Great Wall, it is considered the essence of the Ming Dynasty’s construction. Chairman Mao’s famous saying, “He who has never been to the Great Wall is not a true hero,” refers specifically to this section.
Currently, the Badaling Great Wall is open to the public along a length of over 3,700 meters and features 21 watchtowers and walls. The wall’s towering structures and interlinked battlements make it a historically strategic military site, serving as a critical defensive gateway to Beijing, often referred to as the “Northern Gate Key.”
Related Details:
- South Tower: The first enemy tower south of the ticket entrance offers a view of the Great Wall to the north. Due to its lower elevation, you can capture the full view of the northern section of the Great Wall from this point. The angle from this location provides a great opportunity for wide-angle shots of the northern Wall.
- Between North Tower 3 and North Tower 4: The path here features several winding turns, creating visually appealing, variable lines. This section of the Great Wall is frequently featured in media. Photographs taken from North Tower 3 can capture the distinctive landscape of this section in its entirety.
- External Shots: Taking photos of the Great Wall from outside the wall can offer unique angles, but it’s important to coordinate with the park’s management and ensure safety.
- Touring Badaling: Typically, visitors start their tour from the pass and climb up either the southern or northern slopes. Key attractions include the pass, enemy towers, beacon towers, Hero’s Slope, and the “He who has never been to the Great Wall is not a true hero” inscription. There are also cable cars that provide access to the southern slope.
- Great Wall Museum: Located outside the Badaling Pass, the China Great Wall Museum showcases the historical development of the Wall. Visitors interested in learning more about the Great Wall’s history should consider visiting this museum.
Juyong Pass Great Wall
Often hailed as the “Greatest Pass Under Heaven,” Juyong Pass is one of the most historic and renowned passes on the Great Wall. Located 48 kilometers northwest of Beijing, it is nestled within a narrow valley flanked by steep mountains. The Great Wall winds its way up the mountainsides, while the impressive city towers stand majestically below.
Within the pass, you’ll find a mix of temples, official residences, pavilions, and granaries arranged in a layered and picturesque manner. The red walls, green tiles, and vibrant paintings create a striking contrast, adding to the pass’s historical charm and visual appeal.
Related Details:
- Juyong Pass is located near the Badaling Great Wall, and tourist buses heading to Badaling will pass through Juyong Pass. Its fortress and the winding, steep sections of the Great Wall are essential elements for photographing the Wall.
- To the south of the pass is the lush Diecui Mountain. From the Great Wall, you can enjoy the beautiful view of the “Diecui Lianfeng,” where rocks and greenery overlap to create a picturesque landscape.
- The Cloud Platform Arch Gate at Juyong Pass features exquisite relief carvings on both ends of the arch and inside the gate openings. It’s worth taking a moment to stop and appreciate these detailed sculptures.
Mutianyu Great Wall
The Mutianyu Great Wall is located in Bohai Town, Huairou District, Beijing. It connects to the Juyong Pass Great Wall to the west and the Gubeikou section to the east. This section of the Wall is notable for having battlement openings on both sides, and famous features like the Arrow Nock, Cow Horn, and Eagle Flying Backward are found at its western end, making it a highlight of the Great Wall.
The Mutianyu Great Wall is built along steep cliff edges, utilizing the natural terrain for defensive purposes. The wall stands 7 to 8 meters high, with a width of 4 to 5 meters at the top, predominantly constructed from granite, making it both majestic and sturdy. The section open to the public extends 2,250 meters and includes 22 watchtowers. Notably, within a distance of less than 500 meters from the First Platform (Dajiao Tower) to the Fourth Platform (Zhenguan Platform), there are four watchtowers, demonstrating a density of defensive structures unique to this section of the Wall.
Related Details:
- The Mutianyu Great Wall offers attractions like cable cars and toboggans, making it an excellent place for visitors. The Huairou Great Wall Cultural Museum is also worth a visit.
- The Cow Horn is the highest point of the Mutianyu Great Wall. Climbing up here allows for panoramic shots of the Wall’s overall structure.
- In mid-October, the area is covered in vibrant red leaves, creating a stunning spectacle. This is a great time for photographing fall foliage. Compared to Badaling, Mutianyu has fewer visitors, offering a more serene view of the Wall’s grandeur.
- The sunrise at the Great Wall is particularly impressive. The layered mountains and the imposing Wall appear even more majestic at dawn and dusk. Staying at a hotel near the Wall allows for early morning photography.
- Local delicacies include Huairou’s famous rainbow trout and golden trout. The grilled rainbow trout and fish bone clear soup are a must-try combination.
Jinshanling Great Wall
Located at the junction of Miyun and Luanping County in Hebei, the Jinshanling Great Wall is a quintessential segment of the Ming Dynasty Wall, renowned for its exceptional beauty and strategic significance. It is often praised as the “Most Remarkable Stretch of the Great Wall.”
The Jinshanling section stretches 10.5 kilometers and is situated between Mount Wuling, the highest peak of the Yanshan Mountains, and the Wohu Ridge at Gubeikou. This segment features five fortifications and 67 watchtowers, each with distinct architectural styles. Walking along the Jinshanling Great Wall, you will encounter a variety of tower designs, including ship-canopy roofs, four-cornered spires, octagonal coffered ceilings, and dome-shaped roofs.
The Jinshanling Great Wall is renowned for its robust military defense system, featuring barricades, battle platforms, artillery emplacements, and watchtowers, making it a formidable structure that showcases the Wall’s defensive capabilities.
Related Details:
- Jinshanling to Simatai is a favorite section among outdoor enthusiasts for hiking. It’s also one of the best places for photographers to capture the Great Wall and cloud seas, apart from the Jiankou section.
- At the highest point of Jinshanling stands the Wangjing Tower. From here, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Beijing’s skyline in the morning light and see the city’s twinkling lights at night.
- The Jinshanling Great Wall offers the most spectacular views in the early morning and late evening. The West Five-Eye Tower is particularly ideal for sunset photography. During summer and autumn, the post-rain mist and rainbows add to the scenic beauty of Jinshanling.
Visitor Guide for Beijing Great Wall Sections
Accommodation and Dining
Badaling Great Wall: There are several hotels at the foot of the Badaling Great Wall. You can also find accommodation in nearby villages. The Badaling area offers various dining options, including Badaling Restaurant and Julong Restaurant, which provide boxed meals and fast food. Around the Great Wall, there are over ten small eateries and snack bars. Additionally, the Foreigners’ Restaurant located south of the western gate of Badaling provides both dining and accommodation, with a tourism product counter. The Badaling Hotel, located west of the Foreigners’ Restaurant, is a small hotel suitable for tourists, wedding events, and both domestic and international visitors.
Mutianyu Great Wall: Along the route to Mutianyu, there are many farmhouses and inns along the Huaihe River, offering a variety of lodging options.
Jinshanling Great Wall: After purchasing tickets for Jinshanling Great Wall, you will find hotels and farmhouses available for accommodation and meals.
Transportation at the Great Wall
Cable Cars and Slideways: Both Badaling and Mutianyu Great Walls are equipped with cable cars and slideways. The round-trip fare for adults is 120 RMB, while a one-way trip costs 100 RMB. Children receive a 50% discount.
Biking: You can bike to explore the Great Wall from the city center. The cycling route includes: Jianxiang Bridge → Changping → Juyongguan → Badaling → Nankou → Yangfang → Summer Palace. The mountain roads are primarily between Nankou and Badaling, with steep sections near Juyongguan. Points of interest along the way include the Tank Museum, Juyongguan, Badaling Great Wall, and Shui Guan Great Wall.
Jinshanling Great Wall Classic Two-Day Tour
Day 1:
- Depart around noon and purchase your tickets (tell the ticket vendor you’ll need them for both days; they’ll provide a pass valid for both). Enter the Great Wall through the Zhuangduokou entrance (it’s a 15-minute walk from the main entrance, no need to take the cable car).
- Head west to Liu Yanjing (Six Eyes Tower), which takes about an hour. Beyond this point is a military restricted area, so you can’t go further. Return to the West Five-Eye Tower to catch the sunset.
Day 2:
- Start around 8 AM from Zhuangduokou, and explore the eastern section of the Wall. You’ll pass by Jiangjun Tower, Shalingkou, Big and Small Jinshan Towers, and Houchuankou. There are paths leading back to the main entrance.
- The East Five-Eye Tower has a path down to the East Gate. From the East Gate, walk 2 kilometers to the service area to catch a ride. You can continue from East Five-Eye Tower to explore four more towers before reaching the Simatai Scenic Area.
Mutianyu Great Wall Folk Experience Two-Day Tour
Day 1:
- Depart from the city in the morning and drive via the Jingcheng Expressway. First, head to a guesthouse near the Mutianyu Great Wall. Enjoy a farm-style lunch at the guesthouse. In the evening, join other guests for a barbecue and a lively bonfire party.
Day 2:
- After breakfast, hike the Great Wall. If you’re interested, you can watch the sunrise from the Wall. If you’re tired, take the cable car to reach Tower 14 directly. From there, hike to Tower 15, which is a filming location for the movie “If You Are the One 2.” This area is scenic and less crowded, providing a great experience.
- After touring, grab a simple meal at a restaurant on the commercial street before returning to the city.