Map of Beijing Great Wall
Recommended Beijing Tours
Badaling Great Wall
Features: This very popular section and the first part of the Great Wall that was opened to the public.
Facilities: Enclosed cable car
Location: 150km( 2 hours drive) northwest of downtown Beijing
Length: 3.7km
Distance from parking lot: 100 meters easy walking
Hiking level: Easy (mostly flat or gentle inclines on level hard surfaces – "a walk in the park".)
Duration: About 2 hours
Nearby attractions: Sacred Road, Ming Tombs, Juyongguan Great Wall
Points of interest: Commune by the Great Wall ( house art)
Special Note: Please watch for cars while walking from the parking lot to the cable car entrance.
Jiankou Great Wall
Features: Jiankou Great Wall is regarded as one of the most dangerous sections of the Ming wall. Compared with Mutianyu Great Wall, the mountain is higher and steeper, while compared with Simatai Great Wall, it is more winding and varied.
Facilities: No cable car
Location: 95km( 2 hours drive) north of downtown Beijing
Length: 20km
Distance from parking lot: 100 meters easy walking
Hiking level: Advanced (steep, treacherous or exposed climbs with highly uneven surfaces – experience in mountain
walking or scrambling is highly desirable. )
Duration: About 2-3 hours
Near by attractions: Mutianyu Great Wall
Special Note:This section is not officially open and the ticket price is set by local authorities. It is only recommended for expereinced hikers.
Mutianyu Great Wall
Features:The Great Wall Mutianyu section is less-crowded and has suburb views through watch towers.
Facilities: Enclosed cable car & opened slideway
Location: 95km( 2 hours drive) north of downtown Beijing
Length: 2.2km
Distance from parking lot: 300 meters steep walking
Hiking level: Easy(mostly flat or gentle inclines on level hard surfaces – "a walk in the park".)
Duration: About 1-2 hours
Near by attractions: Hongluo (Red River snail) Temple Resort, Yanqi Lake Tourist Zone, Jiankou Great Wall
Points of interest: Mutianyu Schoolhouse Restaurant
Special Note: The parking lot is a 300 meter walk with a steep slope, and may not suitable for those weak with mobility problems.
Gubeikou Great Wall
Features:The Great Wall at Gubeikou was built on precipitous mountain ridges which conform to the rolling mountain terrain.
Facilities: No cable car
Location: 150km( 3 hours drive) northwest of downtown Beijing
Length: 6km
Distance from parking lot: 10 meters easy walking
Hiking level: Moderate(some steep steps and uneven surfaces.)
Duration: About 2-3 hours
Near by attractions: Ancient town
Points of interest: Local house visiting
Special Note: It is not recommended to hike from Gubeikou section to Jingshanling section because of the closed military zone.
Jinshanling Great Wall
Features: It has never been repaired, and provides a unique view of the Wall, watchtowers and magnificent scenery.
Facilities: Enclosed cable car
Location: 150km( 3 hours drive) northeast of downtown Beijing
Length: 5.1km
Distance from parking lot: 650 meters steep walking (cable car is recommended)
Hiking level: Advanced(steep, treacherous or exposed climbs with highly uneven surfaces – experience in mountain
walking or scrambling is highly desirable.)
Duration: About 4-5 hours (from Jinshanling section to Simata section)
Near by attractions: Chengde
Points of interest: Local family visiting
Special Note: This section is not recommended for elderly climbers of the very young as it has not been repared. Please do not to use cell phone while raining. Some local people may try to sell you some souvenirs. If you are interested in buying, remember to bargain; if not, just walk away.
Simata Great Wall
Features: This section of the Great Wall incorporates the many different characteristics of other sections of the Great Wall. It is known for its steepness. People said "The Great Wall is the best of the Chinese buildings, and Simatai is the best of the Great Wall."
Facilities: Enclosed cable car
Location: 145km( 3 hours drive) northeast of downtown Beijing
Length: 5.4km
Distance from parking lot: 20 meters easy walking
Hiking level: Advanced(steep, treacherous or exposed climbs with highly uneven surfaces – experience in mountain
walking or scrambling is highly desirable.)
Duration: About 2 hours
Near by attractions: Jinshanling Great Wall
Points of interest: Simata guest house (Great Wall sightseeing from the room)
Special Note: This section has been repaired but is very steep. It is recommended for photographers but it will be very foggy while raining, visibility of five to ten meters.
Huangyaguan Great Wall
Features: The Great Wall at Huangyaguan is characterized as being "impenetrable, dangerous, old and beautiful". Huangyaguan Great Wall was part of a complete fortification consisting of a four-gated fortress, and thick city walls.
Facilities: No cable car
Location: 145km( 3 hours drive) northeast of downtown Beijing
Length: 42km
Distance from parking lot: 10 meters easy walking
Hiking level: Partly moderate(some steep steps and uneven surfaces.) and partly advanced(steep, treacherous or exposed climbs with highly uneven surfaces – experience in mountain
walking or scrambling is highly desirable.)
Duration: About 2-3 hours
Points of interest: Local family visiting
Special Note: Please watch the steep steps.
Juyongguan Great Wall
Features: In the District of Changping, Juyongguan has always been a pivotal part of the 8,000 klm Great Wall. It was a crucial defense project to safeguard Beijing in ancient times.
Facilities: No cable car
Location: 70km( 1-2 hours drive) northwest of downtown Beijing
Length: 4.1km
Distance from parking lot: 50 meters easy walking
Hiking level: Moderate (some steep steps and uneven surfaces.)
Duration: About 1-2 hours
Near by attractions: Sacred Road, Ming Tombs, Badaling Great Wall
Special Note: This section is divided into two sides. One side is mostly a gentle incline and the other mostly steep steps.
