Great Wall of China

Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications across northern China, built and rebuilt by multiple dynasties over centuries, with major construction on surviving sections carried out by the Ming dynasty. Extensive surveys in recent years map the system and its branches to tens of thousands of kilometres.

The wall is not a single continuous structure - tourist access concentrates on distinct sections with different characters and access options. Near Beijing, Badaling and Mutianyu are widely restored and accessible by road or cable car, while Jinshanling and Simatai offer more rugged hiking and original stonework; watchtowers and crenellated battlements recur along most stretches.

Construction began in different places from the 7th century BC and continued through successive dynasties; the Ming dynasty (14th-17th centuries) rebuilt and extended many of the prominent stone sections visible today. The wall served defensive and signaling functions and was adapted over time.

The wall runs across northern China; the best-known, visitor-friendly sections lie within roughly 70-130 km of Beijing, though many other stretches cross multiple provinces and extensive countryside.

• Total measured length: A 2012 Chinese government survey mapped total sections and related defensive works at about 21,196 kilometres when all branches and natural barriers are included.
• Condition varies: Restoration varies by section - some stretches are fully restored and easy to walk while others are wild and eroded, so choose your section according to fitness and interest.

What to See#

• Badaling: A heavily visited, extensively restored section about 70 km northwest of Beijing that is easily accessible by road and rail and features broad battlements and restored watchtowers.
• Mutianyu: A restored section popular with visitors that includes chairlift and cable car access and long stretches of continuous wall and towers roughly 70-80 km from central Beijing.
• Jinshanling: A partially restored, rugged section known for steep climbs and many original watchtowers, favored for multi-day hikes and photography.
• Simatai: A steep, less-restored section noted for its dramatic terrain and opportunities for longer hikes; parts can be reached from the nearby Gubeikou area.

Great Wall sections near Beijing are reached from the city by car or public transport; driving distances vary by section but are roughly 70-80 km from central Beijing. For Badaling (a common visitor section) you can take the S2 suburban train from Huangtudian/Beijing North to Badaling station (then a short shuttle/walk to the wall) or the public bus 877 from Deshengmen; by car follow the G6/Jingzhang Expressway north toward Yanqing and follow local signs to Badaling. For Mutianyu, take a bus from Dongzhimen to Huairou and transfer to a local minibus/tour shuttle, or drive northeast on the G6 and local roads; parking is available at the visitor areas and the walk from the local bus stop to the wall is usually 10-30 minutes depending on the parking/drop-off point.

• Choose a less crowded section: visit Mutianyu (restored, gondola/cable car and toboggan options) rather than Badaling for fewer tour buses, or pick Jinshanling for longer, less-restored hikes and much smaller crowds.
• Go at first light or late afternoon - early slots avoid the bulk of day-tour groups and give better light for photos; on weekends and Chinese public holidays, buy tickets and cable-car rides in advance.
• If you want quieter walking, take the gondola/cable up and walk along the wall away from the main entrance towers rather than waiting for descending transport; many visitors don't continue past the busiest watchtowers and miss stretches with fewer people and better views.