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How to Get to the Great Wall from Beijing | Best Sections
La Gran Muralla China It's much more than an architectural marvel: it's a symbol of history, culture, and the incredible resilience of an empire that left its mark for centuries. Visiting it is a unique experience and, without a doubt, one of the must-sees on any itinerary through China... it impressed us much more than we expected!
Today more than 1000 pieces are preserved 6.000 kilometers of wall, and the best thing is that You can visit several sections from Pekin, adapted to all types of travelers. In this guide we tell you how to get to the Great Wall of China, with advice on which section to choose, how to organize your visit, and the best way to get there from the capital.
In this guide you will find everything you need to know to go to the Great Wall of China from Beijing: which are the most popular sections, how to get there on your own or on a tour, how much the entrance costs and what makes each section special.
If adventure is your thing, we recommend visit Jiankou, a wild and little-explored stretch of trail we hiked last summer. But if you prefer something more accessible, uncrowded, and incredibly charming, Mutianyu is our favorite option. In addition, organized tours to this area are usually quite affordable.
How to visit the Wall of China
1. Mutianyu Great Wall of China: Our favorite, perfect for everyone
Mutianyu is, without a doubt, our favorite section. With 1.6 km long y 23 watchtowersIt's one of the longest and best-restored sections of the Wall. Less crowded than Badaling and equally, if not more, beautiful. Access is also easy. and has options for those who cannot or do not want to walk much.
Here, the Wall winds between lush forests and mountains.carpads. In addition, as mentioned earlier, it has alternatives (with additional cost) to save you the climb and/or descent on footThere is a cable car and a slide.
We leave you the transportation options that you have beyond walking it, which is not too much either, it will take you around 45 minutes or 1 hour each way.
- Chairlift ride (round trip): 120 CNY (15 €)
- Chairlift ride (one way): 100 CNY (12,50 €)
- Slide descent: 100 CNY (12,50 €)
- Chairlift package (round trip) + slide: 140 CNY (17,50 €)
How to visit Muntianyu from Beijing
To get to the Muntianyu Great Wall from Beijing you have three options;
- You can get there easily with a tour , the this or also in private tour, a very good option if you are on a stopover and want to be picked up at the airport (you select the location before booking) or if you are a group of people.
- You can also go to Muntianyu in public transport from Beijing, which allows you to stay as long as you want.
- Bus 916 Express: Leaves from Dongzhimen (next to the metro station Line 2 or 13). Price: 12 CNY (1,50€). Duration: 1.5 hours to HuairouFrom there, take the local bus H23 / H24 (2 CNY / 0,25€) or a taxi (80-100 CNY / 10-12.50€) to the entrance of Mutianyu.
- Finally you can go in taxi or Didi, as a reference the price should be similar to 600-800 CNY (75-100€) round trip. It's a good option if there are several of you, allows you to arrive when it opens at 8 in the morning and have it almost to yourselves.
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2. Badaling: The closest and most popular stretch
Badaling is the closest stretch to Beijing and therefore the most visited. It is excellently preserved, making it ideal for families and people with reduced mobility. It is the easiest option to go to the Great Wall of China.
However, its popularity comes at a price: it is often very busy, especially during the high season and impassable during national holidays such as Golden Week in October.
How to get to Badaling from Beijing
- You can get there easily with a tour , the this, at GetYourGuide you'll find the best prices for Great Wall tours from Beijing.
- O arrive on your own from Beijing in two different ways, both very quick and easy.
- Bus: Take line 877 from Deshengmen (12 CNY, 1.5 hours).
- Train: Take the tourist train from Huangtudian Station (7 CNY, 1 hour).
3. Jiankou: Hiking and unique experience
This is one of the sections of the Great Wall that has not been restored, but is still passable. Since it has not been officially restored, it is not open to the public, but there are tour companies offering to visit it, so you are not doing anything very illegal.
It was the section that we traveled, which after 11km ends in Muntianyu, which is perfect for returning to Beijing. We only have good things to say, it was an incredible experience. see the original wall It's a memory we'll cherish forever, so if you enjoy hiking and adding a touch of adventure to your trip, we recommend it. It's the most special way to visit the Great Wall from Beijing.
▶ You can read our experience in Jiankou and practical advice.
How to get to Jiankou from Beijing
- You can go on a tour, I recommend the bus.car online one local supplier since in international suppliers very caroWe know that there are companies that offer self-guided tours, Drop off at Jiankou and pick up at Muntiayu.
- to go on public transport you're going to need to spend the night in the town (Xizhazi) where the route begins.
- Take bus 916 from Dongzhimen station to Huairou + Bus H25 direct to Xizhazi twice a day (11:30 and 16:00) or take a taxi for about 110 CNY (€14). The total time is about 2 hours.
- On the other hand, if you go in taxi or Didi From Beijing, you can leave very early and do it on the same day. I think the maximum price will be 800 CNY (€100).
4. Other sections of the Great Wall of China to visit
The three we've told you about are the most famous due to their proximity and spectacular scenery. But there are more lesser-known alternatives. The three we'd like to suggest are: Simatai (司马台), Jinshanling (金山岭) y Huanghuacheng (Yuanhuacheng).
Simatai and Jinshanling: For hiking lovers
I have no doubt that these two sections they are not popular because they are a little further away from Beijing, but we think they are a great option. Famous for preserving their original look and the possibility of walking between both sections for about 4 hours.
You can go both independently and in hiking tourTo get there by public transport, you'll need to take the tourist line from Dongzhimen (50 CNY / €6,40, 3 hours). By taxi, I think it would cost less than €130.
Huanghuacheng: The Underwater Wall
Huanghuacheng is unique because part of the Wall is submerged in a lake, creating a surreal image. It's less touristy than other stretches, so it's ideal if you're looking for a quiet, relaxing atmosphere, or if it's your second time and you prefer something different.
It is easy to get there on your own, first with the Line 916 from Dongzhimen to Huairou, which takes 1,5 hours and costs about €1,5. Then, a local taxi takes about 30 minutes to reach the entrance and will cost approximately 100 CNY (€12,70).
Tips to go to the Great Wall of China from Beijing
These are the 5 things we think you should know before you go;
- Carries comfortable, flat shoesEven the restored parts are uneven.
- don't forget one Cap or hat in summer, it can get very hot.
- Reach first hour if you want to avoid masses and start with the most distant parts of the entrance.
- Carries water and snacks (although in Badaling and Mutianyu they sell both outside and inside the wall).
- don't forget your passportIn China, it is common to be asked for it when purchasing tickets or at occasional checkpoints.
That's it for now Guide on how to visit the Great Wall of China from BeijingIf you have any questions, please leave us a comment and we'll try to help you. To continue planning your trip, you can read our other articles about the Great Asian Giant, full of tips. tips for traveling to China and that everything goes smoothly.
