In China, one of the most famous and popular destinations among travellers world-wide is the Great Wall of
China. This site is on the bucket list of many travellers and it is visited annually by more than 10 millions
people. The Great Wall is basically a fortification built for defense purposes along Northern China are worth
the hype surrounding it and it is a must-visit attraction when in the country. It is considered to be one of the
oldest existing man-made structures and is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
With so many visitors and the length of the wall, it might be hard to know exactly how to get the best out of
the visit to this famous landmark. There are some things that you should know to experience the walk along
the Great Wall to the fullest.
How to Get There
There are several ways to reach this touristic attraction. For example, many trains are available daily from
Beijing Railway Station to Badaling. The trip takes approximately 1.5 hours. To get to Mutianyu, you can
take a bus from Dongzhimen Bus Station. Otherwise, it is pretty easy to rent a car or pre-book a car and a
driver to reach the Wall. To use public transportation might get a bit complicated since most of the time
you’ll have to change stations and find the stops and reading the signs is not the easiest if you’re not fluent in
Chinese…
But Before Worrying About how to Get there, chose one section!
You should choose an area (ore section) of the wall to better organize your visit. Most make the choice
based on the position of their hotel in Beijing. Usually, Badaling is the most crowded section, Mutianyu is a
bit farther away a bit less crowded and characterized by a stunning view od the surrounding mountains and
Juyongguan is closer to Beijing but less interesting to see than other sections.
What to do to avoid crowds
In case you are willing to experience a more “calm” version of the Great Wall, without the stress of being
surrounded by thousands of tourists, one suggestion is to plan to go to the site on a weekday and to try to
avoid traveling during any of the Chinese public holidays. To go there early in the morning is also
recommended. Additionally, if you can, try to go during the fall or spring, where the weather is good and the
place is not overcrowded.
Some more tips to consider:
To experience the visit at the fullest try to dedicate to it more than a couple of hours. Wear
comfortable shoes, take plenty of waters with you and feel the history that the walls breathe! Some
sections of the wall might be a bit steep, so keep that in mind.
Remember that there are no toilets after the entrance, so remember to use them before you enter or you will have to wait until you’re on your way out
You might want to consider a private tour, for better comfort in getting there, but also to get the interesting insight from a guide that will be able to explain you everything about this important historical site.
Try to follow these guidelines to plan your visit to this famous Chinese attraction, you’ll be more than satisfied!
