The Great Wall of China is one of the best known places in the world to visit. This huge ancient monument runs through high mountains and deep valleys and has many different points of entry and sections to explore. If you are coming from Beijing, then here are the best sections and places to see along the wall.
Mutianyu: Best Family Friendly Place to Visit Overall
Most travelers generally consider the Mutianyu Great Wall the best section to visit. It's about 1.5 hours from Beijing, beautifully restored, totally surrounded by green pine forests and not so crowded as Badaling. It has 23 historic watchtowers and fun cable cars and toboggan rides down the mountain.
Badaling: Most Famous and Easiest to Reach
Badaling is the most famous place to see for its easy transport and classic stone architecture. It is the first section opened to tourists and has wide paved walkways and cable cars. It is very convenient to visit, with direct highway and train access from Beijing, although it can get very busy during peak holidays.
Simatai and Gubei Water Town: The Night Star
If you want a unique cultural experience, a trip to the Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water Town together is a great place to visit. Simatai is the only part open for night tours, and the ancient towers are lit with golden lights. At the base, you can wander around the ancient water town and see spectacular night views of the wall lit up against the dark sky.
Jinshanling: a dream destination for photographers.
If you want scenery that is unequalled and quiet paths, Jinshanling is a world-class place to go. Further out in the mountains, this section has a mix of restored and wild, crumbling watchtowers snaking over steep mountain ridges. If you want to take amazing landscape photos without large crowds in your photo, it is the best place to go.
Jiankou: The Untamed and Craggy Mountain Wall
The unrestored Jiankou section is an exciting place for adventurous travelers to experience raw history. This section is built on steep white cliffs of dolomite and is left completely wild with trees growing through the old stone stairs. It is a careful hike, but a must-see to get a glimpse of the wall in its natural and ancient state.
