The Most Popular 10 Sections of the Great Wall

The Great Wall of China snakes its way for over 6,000 kilometers from Jiayuguan in the west to Hushan in the east.  It's almost impossible for a common traveler to climb across all sections of the Great Wall. Which is the most suitable section for you? What are the features of each section of the Great Wall? How do you choose one of these sections?  We have listed 10 sections of the Great Wall for your reference.

1. The Great Wall at Mutianyu — Popular, Well-Restored, and Quieter

The Great Wall at Mutianyu is probably the most popular section for foreign travelers.  It is quieter, has fewer visitors, and is also the best-restored section of the Great Wall that is suitable for both children and elderly people to visit.

• Features: the most popular section, suitable for most people, and the best example of the Great Wall
• Location: 73 kilometers away from the center of Beijing
• Hiking duration: about half a day
• Physical fitness: suitable for most people
• Facilities: cable car and carts
• Our popular tour to visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall

2. The Great Wall at Jiankou — Perilous, Steep, and Original

Although linked with the Great Wall at Mutianyu, the Jiankou section is totally different. It features perilous terrain, steep mountains, wild looks, and challenging hiking.  Due to its authentic appearance and interesting visiting experience, it has become more and more popular with foreigners.  When you are standing on the Great Wall at Jiankou, you will be impressed by its photographic scenery and the masterpiece of construction.

• Features: original and challenging, steep and magnificent, and totally wild
• Location: 100 kilometers away from the center of Beijing
• Hiking duration: about half a day
• Physical fitness: for travelers who are experienced at hiking
• Facilities: none
• Our popular tour to visit the Jiankou section of the Great Wall

3. Shanhai Pass — the First Pass Under Heaven

Shanhai Pass is located in the east of Hebei Province. It's a special section, which has both views of the spectacular Great Wall and of the romantic sea.  Due to its important military location, Shanhai Pass is very solid and it was originally regarded as the "First Pass under Heaven".

• Features: an important pass in ancient times, well-designed, amazing landscape, and the end of the Ming Dynasty's Great Wall
• Location: Qinhuangdao, Hebei Province; it's about 2 hours from Beijing to Qinhuangdao by train.
• Hiking duration: about 1 day
• Physical fitness: suitable for most people

4. The Great Wall at Jinshanling — the Best Example of the Great Wall

Compared with other sections of the Great Wall in Beijing, Jinshanling is more attractive with fewer visitors, more original looks, and wonderful scenery.   There is a saying that "only Jinshanling can show off the Great Wall". It's a vivid example to explain that the Great Wall at Jinshanling is a very representative section.

• Features: a half-restored and a half-wild section, quieter, and interesting
• Location: 154 kilometers away from the center of Beijing
• Hiking duration: about a day
• Physical fitness: It's very challenging if you want to explore the wild section.
• Facilities: cable car
• The most popular tour of Trippest: One-Day Simatai West to Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking Tour

5. The Great Wall at Badaling — the Best-Known Section in Beijing

The Great Wall at Badaling is the best-known section in Beijing. You are bound to have seen various photographs of it on different posters. There is a saying that "the most precipitous section is not Juyong Pass but the Great Wall at Badaling". This comment alone makes it worth exploring.

• Features: the most well-known section, crowded
• Location: 72 kilometers from the center of Beijing
• Hiking duration: about half a day
• Suitability: time is limited, don't worry about the crowds
• Facilities: cable car, circular-screen cinema, and wheelchair access

6. The Great Wall at Simatai — the Wonder of the Great Wall of China

An expert of the Great Wall named Luozhewen said: "The Great Wall is the wonder of the world, and Simatai is the wonder of the Great Wall".  The Great Wall at Simatai is so famous because of its marvelous design and original appearance. This 5.4-kilometer-long section of the Great Wall is not only amazing in the daytime but also has a glamorous night tour.

• Features: marvelous design, original and authentic, and beautiful nighttime views
• Location: 120 kilometers away from the center of Beijing
• Hiking duration: about a day
• Physical fitness: a little challenging for children or elderly people
• Facilities: cable cars, zip line, boats, and battery-powered carts

7. The Great Wall at Gubeikou — the Most Authentic Section

In the history of the Great Wall, Gubeikou is the most complete defensive system of all the sections.  It consists of walls built in the Qi and Ming dynasties, and it was the fortress between Shanhai Pass and Juyong Pass. Among these sections of the Great Wall around Beijing, Gubeikou is quieter and more interesting.

• Features: totally wild, the most authentic section, and no restoration
• Location: 146 kilometers away from the center of Beijing
• Hiking duration: about a day
• Physical fitness: It's a big challenge for visitors who are in poor physical condition.
• Facilities: none

8. The Great Wall at Juyongguan — the Greatest Fort

Juyong Pass, Jiayu Pass, and Shanhai Pass were the three greatest passes in the Great Wall's history.  Compared with other sections of the Great Wall, the military defenses on these passes were stronger and more solid. The Great Wall at Juyongguan has the most original appearance and you can experience the atmosphere of ancient battles.  Due to it being a short distance from Beijing, it is also a very convenient choice when visiting the Great Wall.

• Features: one of the greatest forts, close to Beijing, it has an authentic atmosphere of ancient battles
• Location: 60 kilometers away from the center of Beijing
• Hiking duration: about 3 hours
• Physical fitness: It's suitable for most people.
• Facilities: ramps, guiding tracks for blind people, barrier-free toilets, and wheelchair service

9. The Great Wall at Huanghuacheng — the Great Water Wall

The Great Wall at Huanghuacheng is an underestimated highlight of the Great Wall in Beijing. It's always quiet, authentic, and interesting even when other sections in Beijing are more crowded.  Compared with other sections around Beijing, Huanghuacheng not only has marvelous architecture but also has beautiful natural scenery that includes a lake and the Great Wall.

• Features: a few wild sections, most sections have been restored, some sections are in water
• Location: 70 kilometers away from the center of Beijing
• Hiking duration: about half a day
• Physical fitness: It's suitable for most people.

10. Jiayu Pass — the West End of the Ming Dynasty's Great Wall

Jiayu Pass is located in Gansu Province and is the west end of the Ming Dynasty's Great Wall of China.  Different from any other sections to the east, Jiayu Pass vividly reflects a picture of ruins and desolation.  It is precisely because of its unique beauty that Jiayu Pass has a strong historic and cultural atmosphere.

• Features: ruins, desolation, and has a strong historic atmosphere
• History: built in 1372
• Hiking duration: about half a day
• Location: the north of Gansu Province; it's about 2,000 kilometers from Beijing

Related Tours