Walking the Great Wall of China is a MASSIVE bucket list dream for travelers everywhere. There are thousands of miles of green mountains and rocky ridges filled with fun things to do and incredible history on this ancient wonder. If you’re planning a holiday to Beijing, here’s what you should do when you visit the wall.
Take the Cable Car Up (Mutianyu)
One of the most popular things to do at the famous Mutianyu section is to take the scenic cable car right to the top. Rather than hundreds of steep stone steps, you can sit back and float above the forest canopy. It saves your energy for the ancient watchtowers and gives you some great panoramic photos of the wall snaking over the mountains.
Sleighing Down the Mountain
For total fun and excitement, you must slide down the mountain on a metal toboggan coaster. After walking around the wall at Mutianyu you can hop into a small sled and zip down a winding metal track to the bottom. This is one of the coolest things to do for kids and adults visiting the wall.
Walk the Wild Sections at Jinshanling and Simatai
If you want to avoid the big crowds of tourists, hiking the rugged trail between Jinshanling and Simatai is an amazing option. This area is famous for its semi-restored wild look with original crumbling watchtowers and steep climbs. You can hike these quiet ridges to experience the raw history and enjoy the uninterrupted views of the endless landscape.
Watch the sunset over the hills.
Catching the sunset is one of the most romantic things to do for an unforgettable evening. At sunset the old gray stones glow with bright gold and orange colors as the sun drops behind the high mountain peaks. And the Simatai section even offers night tours, where the watchtowers are illuminated with warm lighting for a completely unique night view.
Private Great Wall Tour with Local Guide
Because the wall extends across many different areas, the best way to travel hassle-free is to book a specialized Great Wall tour. Your private driver/guide provides round-trip transportation from Beijing, handles your entrance tickets, and shows you secret watchtowers and quiet photo spots that normal tour buses miss.
