The Great Wall of China is one of those places everyone dreams of visiting. And the truth is, once you’re in Beijing, getting there is relatively easy. But there isn’t just one entrance or one way to explore it. There are different sections, some very touristy and others much quieter, and choosing the right one can completely change your experience.

I’m writing this guide because I had no idea you could hike along the Great Wall, visit it at night, or even see a section running alongside the water. Here, I’ll explain which sections you can visit, how to get to each one, and what you should consider when choosing the best option for your trip. I’ll also share a few practical tips I wish I’d known before visiting. Shall we?

Which Section of the Great Wall of China Should You Visit?

The Great Wall of China stretches for more than 21,000 km (13,000 miles), but not every section is open to visitors. Some are difficult to access, others are located in restricted areas, and many are in remote regions. Each section has its own entrance, ticketing arrangements and recommended routes, so choosing the right one is essential when planning your visit.

Most travellers visit the Great Wall from Beijing, making it easy to combine a visit with other sights in the Chinese capital. Several sections are accessible from the city, but the experience can be completely different depending on which one you choose.

🧚🏽 In this guide, I’ll introduce you to all five sections. I visited Jinshanling and Simatai, and I still have Huanghuacheng on my list.

Mutianyu | The Most Fun Section

Mutianyu is one of the best-known sections of the Great Wall for first-time visitors to Beijing. It has restored sections, watchtowers and facilities that make the visit relatively easy to organise. It’s also become popular on social media thanks to its toboggan ride down from the wall.

Mutianyu is often described as a hidden gem or a less crowded alternative to Badaling. However, it’s become much busier over the years, so don’t expect to have it to yourself.

How to Get to Mutianyu?

The easiest option is to book your ticket through Trip.com and add any extras you need. You can also choose an option that includes a bus transfer from Beijing. Check the details carefully, though, as not every transfer includes an English-speaking guide.

If you’d prefer an organised excursion with transport included, you can also check the GetYourGuide options for Mutianyu. Some packages include the cable car up and the toboggan ride down.

How to Visit Mutianyu Without a Tour?

If you’d rather visit the Great Wall independently, you can take the subway to Dongzhimen Station, served by Lines 2 and 13, and head to the bus station. From there, take bus 916 towards Huairou and get off at Stop 15. You can then take a taxi or check whether bus H23 or H25 is running to your destination.

Allow plenty of time to find the correct bus stop, and have Alipay ready to pay. Another option, especially if you’re travelling with friends or family, is to order a Didi, China’s ride-hailing service, directly to the Great Wall entrance. The journey can cost less than €50, depending on your pickup point, demand and time of day.

How Much Time Do You Need to Visit Mutianyu?

I’d set aside at least half a day for Mutianyu. If you’re travelling independently, remember to account for the journey in both directions. Allowing a full day gives you more flexibility and means you won’t have to rush.

Mutianyu Entrance Tickets and Opening Hours

During the main visiting season, roughly mid-March to mid-November, the opening hours have been listed as 7:30 am to 6 pm. In winter, the hours are generally 8 am to 5:30 pm.

The basic entrance ticket has been listed at CNY 60, approximately €8, with cable car tickets costing extra. You can also pay for the toboggan ride, which is a fun way to get back down.

Trip.com offers ticket options for Mutianyu, including combinations with additional services. Compare the available packages before booking to see which option makes the most sense for your visit.

Ticket prices, opening hours and seasonal arrangements can change. Check the current conditions before travelling.

Jinshanling | The Most Adventurous and Rugged Section

This is my favourite section for experiencing the Great Wall more actively. The scenery changes as you walk, watchtowers appear one after another, and you can really appreciate how the wall follows the mountain ridges.

I’d particularly recommend Jinshanling if you enjoy hiking and want to spend several hours exploring rather than simply walking up, taking a few photos and returning to your transport. There are steep climbs, irregular steps and sections where you need to watch your footing. But that’s also part of what makes this stretch feel so much more rugged and authentic.

I’ve written a dedicated guide to visiting Jinshanling and organising the hike, with more details about planning the trip independently.

How to Get to Jinshanling

There are day trips from Beijing to Jinshanling that can be a convenient option if you don’t want to organise transport yourself. These excursions typically last around 10 hours because visiting this section involves more walking and exploration than visiting Mutianyu.

If you’d rather visit independently without a tour, I’d recommend reading my guide to visiting Jinshanling on your own. There’s more planning involved, and depending on your transport, you may need to spend a night in one of the nearby villages.

Trust me, it’s worth considering!

How Much Time Do You Need to Visit Jinshanling?

If you book an organised day trip, expect an early start around 7:30 am and a total excursion of approximately 10 hours. If you’re travelling independently by private transport or Didi, allow around four hours for the hike itself, in addition to the journey there and back.

If you’d prefer to take public transport and explore at your own pace, plan to spend a night nearby. Ideally, stay close to the Great Wall and return to Beijing the following day.

If you’re still planning your trip to the Chinese capital, check out my guide to where to stay in Beijing before booking your accommodation.

Jinshanling Entrance Tickets and Opening Hours

The opening hours have previously been listed as 6 am to 5 pm. Tickets have cost CNY 60 in the high season and CNY 55 in the low season, approximately €8 and €7.30 respectively. A shuttle bus may cost an additional CNY 10.

You can buy your ticket at the entrance or check the available options through Trip.com. I find it easier to have everything organised in advance, with the ticket ready on my phone and a clear idea of what’s included.

Simatai | The Section You Can Visit at Night

Simatai is another of my favourite sections, especially because I visited it at night. The experience changes completely after sunset, when the illuminated watchtowers stand out against the surrounding mountains.

It’s also right next to Gubei Water Town, a tourist village designed in a traditional Chinese style, where you can walk around, eat and stay overnight. This makes it possible to plan a very different visit from the typical day trip from Beijing.

You can read my complete guide to Simatai and Gubei Water Town for more details about the visit and my personal experience.

How to Get to Simatai

One of the main advantages of taking a tour to Simatai is that you can arrive in the afternoon, watch the sunset and visit the wall after dark without having to organise your return transport late at night.

There are private tours departing around 3 pm that include a visit to Gubei Water Town. This is a convenient option if you want to experience the area in different light. You can also find private tours combining Simatai and Jinshanling.

If you’d rather visit independently, I’d recommend spending a night in Gubei Water Town. You can take a direct bus from Wangjing West in Beijing, with tickets previously costing around €6.40 and payable in cash.

Simatai is beautiful, and visiting it at night gives the trip a completely different feel. You can find more details, practical advice and personal observations in my full Simatai guide.

How Much Time Do You Need for Simatai?

Some tours leave Beijing around 3 pm and return close to midnight. Personally, I’d rather stay overnight in Gubei Water Town. That way, you can explore at your own pace and make better use of the time and money spent on the entrance ticket.

Simatai Entrance Tickets and Opening Hours

Daytime and nighttime visits have different conditions, and opening hours can vary depending on the season. Before visiting, check the official Gubei Water Town website for the latest information.

A nighttime ticket covering Simatai, the return cable car and Gubei Water Town has previously cost around €35. You can also check ticket availability and combinations through Trip.com.

Badaling | The Most Popular Section

Badaling is one of the most famous sections of the Great Wall and attracts huge numbers of visitors. It’s restored and well equipped for tourism, with access points and infrastructure that make the visit relatively straightforward.

It’s also known for its train connections from Beijing, making it one of the quickest and easiest sections to reach.

I’m including it because of its popularity, but personally, it wouldn’t be my first recommendation unless you’re short on time or convenience is your main priority.

How to Get to Badaling

You can book tickets and transport through Trip.com, including different transfer options. Tours to Badaling are also widely offered by travel agencies in Beijing, so you don’t necessarily need to book an excursion far in advance.

If you’d rather visit independently, you can take a train to Badaling Great Wall Railway Station. Some services take around 25–30 minutes, although the exact journey time depends on the train you choose.

Alternatively, bus 877 is a cheaper option, but the journey can take considerably longer depending on traffic.

How Much Time Do You Need at Badaling?

Because Badaling is so well connected, you can comfortably visit it in half a day. It’s one of the most convenient options if you want to see the Great Wall without dedicating an entire day to the excursion.

Badaling Entrance Tickets and Opening Hours

Tickets have previously cost CNY 40 in the high season and CNY 35 in the low season, approximately €5.30 and €4.60 respectively. Admission policies and possible discounts for children and older visitors depend on the current rules and identification requirements.

Opening hours also vary by season. The hours previously listed were 6:30 am to 4:30 pm in summer and 7:30 am to 4 pm in winter.

Huanghuacheng | The Great Wall Beside the Water

Huanghuacheng, also known as the Lakeside Great Wall, offers a different landscape from the better-known sections. Here, the wall winds through the mountains alongside a lake, and parts of the structure were submerged following the construction of a reservoir.

It’s this combination of mountains, water and ancient fortifications that makes Huanghuacheng so distinctive.

How to Get to Huanghuacheng

As far as I know, there are no straightforward direct public transport connections to Huanghuacheng. Because of this, an organised excursion can be a practical option if you don’t want to arrange private transport yourself.

Some tours include transport, admission and a boat ride. You can also check ticket options through Trip.com and see whether a transfer from Beijing is available.

How Much Time Do You Need?

If you’re considering Huanghuacheng, I’d imagine you’re interested in nature, scenery and a quieter experience. I’d set aside most of a day so you can explore without rushing, although a half-day visit from Beijing may also be possible depending on your transport and the route you choose.

Huanghuacheng Entrance Tickets and Opening Hours

The admission price has previously been listed at CNY 60, approximately €8, with additional activities and water-based options available at extra cost. This is the official website to check!

Tips for Visiting the Great Wall of China Independently

Where Can You Leave Your Luggage When Visiting the Great Wall?

If you’re visiting one of the Great Wall sections on a half-day trip from Beijing, you probably won’t need to worry about your luggage.

In my case, I visited Simatai at night, changed accommodation and then completed a hike of around 15 km from Jinshanling towards Gubeikou. Carrying all the luggage I’d brought with me around China was the last thing I wanted to do, so I looked into a few alternatives.

Leave your luggage at your accommodation in Gubeikou or Gubei Water Town. This can work well if you’re spending the night in the area, although you may need to arrange an extra taxi journey to collect your bags.

Leave your luggage at your accommodation in Beijing. This is what I did. After checking out, my accommodation kept my bags for me without charging extra. Ask your hotel or hostel in advance whether they offer luggage storage.

Use luggage lockers. WeChat has options for finding storage facilities in railway stations, shopping centres and some other buildings. Check the current booking and payment requirements, as these services may require a Chinese phone number.

Can You Visit Two Sections of the Great Wall in One Day?

Yes! In fact, some sections can almost be connected on foot.

I hiked approximately 15 km from Jinshanling towards Gubeikou. You can read more about this route in my guide to the Jinshanling–Gubeikou hike.

That said, combining two sections doesn’t always make sense. Visiting Mutianyu and Huanghuacheng on the same day, for example, may involve unnecessary travel and leave you with less time to enjoy either place. I’d choose one section based on the experience you want rather than trying to tick off as many as possible.

Where Can You Eat? Are There Shops or Restaurants on the Great Wall?

My recommendation is to bring water and a few snacks from Beijing, especially if you’re planning a long hike along the wall.

During the main visiting season, you’ll usually find restaurants and food stalls near the entrances, although prices can be considerably higher than in the city. There are also small shops selling water and snacks, but many are located before the cable car rather than along the wall itself.

If you forget to bring something, don’t panic. During my visit, I also saw people selling water and the occasional sweet at some of the watchtowers.

How to Get Internet and Access Google and Instagram in China

In mainland China, apps and services such as Google, Instagram and WhatsApp are blocked on standard local internet connections. If you want to use your usual apps while travelling, it’s worth sorting out your internet access before arriving.

I used an Airalo eSIM, which offers China plans with VPN functionality, allowing you to access apps that would otherwise be blocked on local connections. Having it set up in advance made it much easier to get connected as soon as I arrived.

Make sure you check the current plan details and activation instructions before your trip, and set everything up before you need to rely on it.

Still Travelling Around China?

Beijing and my visit to the Great Wall were my first introduction to this incredible country. I’d recommend the sections I visited again and again, especially if you enjoy walking and don’t mind a bit of physical effort.

Continuing my journey around China, I visited Harbin and its incredible Ice and Snow Festival, Shanghai, the beautiful small towns of Hunan, Chongqing, Chengdu, the wonderful landscapes around Yangshuo and Guilin, and finally the futuristic city of Shenzhen. We also finished our trip with a visit to Hong Kong, which feels a little different from mainland China.

I’m working on practical guides for each destination, which you can find in my China travel guides.

If this article helped you plan your trip and you’d like to support my blog, you can buy me a coffee. Every coffee helps me keep travelling, researching destinations and writing practical guides from wherever I happen to be in the world.

I hope you have a wonderful trip to China, and thanks for making it all the way to the end!

Guadi.