How to plan the perfect trip to the Great Wall of China, avoid the crowds and common scams.
Visiting the Great Wall of China is a lifelong dream for many travelers. I have to confess it wasn’t mine.
The only reason I traveled to Beijing for my first trip to China was that every other city I wanted to visit was in monsoon season.
And maybe that was for the best because I had no expectations. But when I arrived there was a huge rush of excitement. Not from the crowds, as we arrived before they did.
It was the opposite.
There was silence and calm, lush rolling green hills. It is completely surreal to step foot through those historic entryways for the very first time.
Many people think visiting means fighting massive human traffic all day long.
You really can have a peaceful morning on the wall if you plan carefully. It’s not difficult but you do need to wake up early.
I promise you, it’s worth it.
A Brief History of the Wall
Simply known as the “Great Wall” in China, construction took over 2000 years. It started way back in the 7th century BC. Building continued all the way into the 17th century AD.
Most of the recognizable sections we see today were built during the Ming Dynasty. It is not just one continuous wall that circles the country. It is actually a series of different walls and watchtowers.
The wall stretches nearly 21000 km or 13,000 miles for my American friends. It reaches from the sea all the way into the Gobi Desert. You can easily visit it from many places far outside of Beijing.
The Chinese sometimes refer to the wall as the dragon. It perfectly follows the natural steep hills and mountains. The Mutianyu section alone has 23 watchtowers built specifically for defense.
There are plenty of fun myths about the wall too. You cannot actually see it from space easily. It is also not a giant burial ground for the workers who built it. It was simply an incredible feat of human labor.
Choosing the Right Great Wall of China Section
There are several great sections to choose from depending on your fitness level. You also need to consider how much time you have.
I only had 10 days in China and so I wanted to spend the morning visiting. Both crowds and heat are exhausting so the goal was to avoid both.
Badaling
This is the most famous section and it is incredibly easy to reach. You can take a direct high speed train right from Beijing to the entrance. It features wide stone paths and is heavily restored for an easy walk.
The major con is everyone says the crowds are insane all day long. Tour groups herd tourists here by the thousands every single day. It can feel like a tourist trap instead of a historical site.
Mutianyu
This is where I went and I absolutely loved the entire experience. It is well preserved and very family friendly. You can ride a cable car or open air chairlift right up to the top.
But what won me over was taking a thrilling toboggan slide all the way down. I was literally laughing the whole way down. It was the absolute best way to end the day.
The con is that it is located nearly two hours away from the city. You need to hire a private driver or take a long bus ride to get there. It also has some very steep stair sections that require good mobility.
If you don’t want to wake up early. There are also some homestays and hotels at Mutianyu that are surprisingly affordable.
Jinshanling
Many people consider this the most beautiful section of the wall. It is a dream for hikers and photographers who want empty pathways. The wall here is only partially restored so it feels much more authentic.
The con is the distance and the difficulty of the hike. It takes much longer to reach from Beijing. You will also have to navigate crumbling stones and uneven steps along the way.
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Huanghuacheng
This unique section curves right alongside a beautiful lake. Here you an get an admission ticket that includes a boat ride for only $12 USD. It is much quieter than the main tourist spots.
The con is that public transport here is very complicated. The hiking can also be quite challenging for beginners. But I would have seriously considered this one as photos look amazing.
Simatai
This section offers something completely unique for adventurous visitors complete with a zipline option.
I ziplined once in Ecuador and that is enough for me. But it is also the only part of the wall open for nighttime visits. And you don’t miss out on fun additions as you can get admission at night AND the cable car.
Seeing the fortifications lit up in the dark would be truly special.
The con is the extremely steep terrain. You also have to book your visit well in advance to secure a spot. It takes much more planning than other areas.
Beat the Crowds at Mutianyu
Although I do like to show up and figure things out. I did not want to risk it at the Great Wall of China – after all it is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the world.
I was so proud of myself because I think I planned it perfectly. Here’s my best advice:
Schedule your ride the night before
I booked a DiDi driver for 5:30am, and like most scheduled drivers it showed up early and waited. There is a premium cost for scheduling on ride apps but it’s also the least stressful as a lot of regular drivers don’t want to go that distance.
I arrived at the gate just before it opened at 7:30 am. There were zero lines and the weather was incredibly cool and fresh.
Buy your entrance tickets online
Booking entrance tickets with shuttle isn’t more expensive and it avoids the aggressive helpers on the ground. They will try to sell you tickets for a huge premium. The shuttle avoids the long walk uphill to the entrance. You don’t need the extra steps as you’ll walk long enough
Book your lift tickets separately
The chairlift and toboggan are run by a completely different company. You cannot buy them in a single package with your entrance ticket. Book the cableway and slideway tickets right here: https://trip.tpo.li/8uM3sTh1
Have your passport ready
In China everything is attached to your passport so you’ll need to keep it on you daily.
Here the digital ticketing system is fully attached to your passport. You use your physical passport to enter the main gate. You must show your QR code first and then your passport for the chairlift.
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Leave before the buses arrive
I spent about three hours enjoying the fresh air on the wall. By 10:00 am the crowds were getting completely crazy. I left just as the massive tour groups were pouring in. I’m not going to lie, I felt pretty smug about it.
Book a return ride on the spot
I have heard some Didi drivers will offer a direct deal with you to stay at the Great Wall until you’re ready to return.
My driver didn’t offer and so I had to roll the dice. That paid off as discovered there are dozens of DiDi drivers waiting outside the exit at 10:00 am. I booked one on the app and it was cheaper than our morning ride.
The Chairlift and Toboggan Experience
Getting up to the Mutianyu section is an adventure all on its own. You take a quick five minute shuttle bus from the tourist village. Then you head straight for the cableway.
The cableway is basically an open air chairlift. It looks exactly like what you would ride when skiing in Canada. It was so peaceful gliding up over the lush green trees.
Coming down is where the real fun happens. The slideway is a metal toboggan track that winds down the mountain. You sit on a small cart with a brake lever between your legs.
You push forward to move and pull back to slow down. You can go incredibly fast and it feels a little terrifying. They do not allow children under 13 to ride it for safety reasons. It was definitely worth the extra ticket price.
Get the best price for the cableway/slideway combo ticket.
Essential Packing and Preparation
Pack Snacks and Water
You need to be prepared before you start walking up that massive hill. There are no vendors selling supplies once you get far along the wall.
Bring plenty of your own water and snacks… and maybe a Chinese Snickers bar. I visited in June and it got hot incredibly fast. After the initial adrenaline rush I was so hungry for breakfast. Having nuts and water in my bag really saved the morning.
Pro tip: add electrolytes to your water bottle. It keeps you hydrated so you will not have to search for a bathroom. You should definitely use the valley restrooms before ascending. There are zero toilets on the actual wall.
Stay Connected
First you absolutely must have a reliable data plan. China blocks many apps like Gmail and YouTube and Instagram.
I used this Holafly eSIM because it has a built in VPN to keep you connected.
Having data meant my ticket QR codes loaded perfectly every time. I also did not have to worry about calling our return DiDi ride home.
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Protection is Essential
A good hat and sunscreen are mandatory. You are fully exposed to the sun even in the early morning. I forgot my hat and had to quickly haggle with a vendor.
I paid 17 dollars for a hat that probably costs 3 dollars. A fair price is just one you are willing to pay to save time. My Holafly data let me pay him instantly with Alipay.
You also need proper footwear for this trip. The Great Wall has very uneven steps and loose rocks. Some of the stairs are incredibly steep and require careful footing.
I was shocked to see women trying to climb the stairs in heels. Protect your toes and wear comfortable enclosed shoes. Do pay close attention to your steps to avoid any slips.
Why You Should Skip Group Tours
Taking a general bus tour might seem like the easiest option. I promise it will not be as memorable as doing it on your own.
Most general tours pack you onto a huge bus. They usually take you straight to Badaling where you will be shoulder to shoulder with strangers. It ruins the peaceful atmosphere of the ancient site.
Many drivers will even try to trap you into long shopping stops. They take you to places you did not ask for just to earn a commission.
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You can easily do this independently and have a much better time. Or hire this private guide, it includes transport, lunch and has great reviews.
Getting up early was entirely worth it for that quiet peaceful experience. Ending our morning with that toboggan slide was a huge shot of adrenaline. I hope this helps you plan your own perfect visit.