Great Wall of China

There are several ways to explore the multiple sections of the Great Wall of China from Beijing—with or without a guide. You can take a private, small-group, or multi-day tour, and incorporate other top attractions such as the Ming Tombs and Forbidden City.

Badaling is the most popular section, while Juyongguan and Mutianyu are quieter but just as impressive. Meanwhile, lots of visitors prefer to tackle the day hike from Jinshanling to Simatai. The Huangyaguan Pass, Huanghuacheng, Jiankou, and Gubeikou sections are less frequented still.

• Summers tend to be hot and wet, while winters can get icy; dress accordingly.

• While the Badaling section has some wheelchair accessibility, flatter, less-visited areas such as Shanhaiguan on the east coast and Jiayuguan in the western desert are best for wheelchair users.

• The Mutianyu section is recommended for seniors and kids, as the wall's watchtowers can be accessed via cable car.

• Book a tour with a local guide to learn more and enhance your experience.

While bus and train lines run close to the Great Wall, the easiest way to go is by taking a guided tour or chartered taxi from downtown Beijing. Public transportation options can be hectic and confusing for travelers with little knowledge of the local language. Visitors coming from Shanghai or Hong Kong can maximize their time by taking a flight or traveling by train.

No matter where you visit along the wall, crowds will be thicker on holidays, particularly at the portions closer to Beijing. The peak season runs roughly from April through November. Tours in the early morning are generally less crowded, and as a bonus, these options offer the chance to see the sunrise from the wall.

There are many myths swirling about the Great Wall of China, which is actually made up of walls, plural. Firstly, it's not as old as many people think—in fact, it dates back just 500 years. It's also understood to be much longer than it seems, anywhere up to 13,000 miles (21,000 kilometers) per the Chinese authorities' archaeological investigations. And no, you can't see it from the moon, nor are there human remains buried within the walls.

Yes, it is worth visiting the Great Wall of China. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a spectacular feat of engineering, and is surrounded by rolling mountain ridges. There are several sections open to visitors, so be sure to pick the one that’s right for you.

Yes, there are tours of the Great Wall of China, most commonly from Beijing. The most popular section for tours is the Great Wall at Badaling, followed by the Mutianyu Great Wall and the Juyongguan Great Wall. But you can also visit unrestored sections such as the Great Wall at Jiankou.

There are different prices for different sections of the Great Wall of China. Some unrestored sections are even free. As a rule of thumb, expect to pay 30–60 RMB for a ticket, depending on the time of year, with additional charges for cable cars and chairlifts. Tours from Beijing start at around US$35.

You can visit the Badaling, Mutianyu, or Juyongguan sections of the Great Wall of China on a half- day trip from Beijing. The journey generally takes 1.5 hours each way and most travelers spend 2 to 3 hours exploring the Great Wall of China, walking on it, and taking photos.

Shoulder seasons (April through June, and September and October) are the best time to visit the Great Wall of China, as there’s typically warm, dry weather. Avoid the crowded Golden Week holidays at the start of May and October. Beijing winters can be icy cold and windy, while high summer (July-August) is often rainy.

It depends. Some sections of the wall are steep, others slope more gently; some sections of the wall have been restored to a smooth surface, while others are crumbling ruins; you can reach the Mutianyu and Badaling sections by cable car or chairlift, but some parts involve a strenuous hike.