Which Part of the Great Wall Is Best to Visit (6 Options)

There are so many sections of the Great Wall in China. Jinshanling or Mutianyu, Badaling or Simatai... Which is the best section of the Great Wall for you to visit? Here, we listed 6 of the most popular Great Wall sections to help you quickly decide which one is better to visit for you.

Mutianyu Great Wall in Beijing

Top 6 Sections of the Great Wall to Visit in Beijing

Map of the Great Wall Near Beijing

There are 6 popular sections of the Great Wall in Beijing, including Badaling, Mutianyu, Jinshanling, Simatai, Jiankou, and Huanghuacheng.

Here's a simple table of each section of the Great Wall to help you learn about the differences of each section a bit.

Section Name	Distance	Mobility-Accessible	Crowd	Cable Car
Jinshanling	161km (140-min Drive)	Partially Accessible	Moderate	Yes
Mutianyu	70km (95 min Drive)	Partially Accessible	Moderate	Yes
Badaling	68km (90-min Drive)	Highly Accessible	Crowded	Yes
Simatai	138km (120-min Drive)	Partially Accessible	Quiet	Yes
Jiankou	73km (100-min Drive)	Not Accessible	Quiet	No
Huanghuacheng	82km (110-min Drive)	Partially Accessible	Moderate	No

Mutianyu Great Wall - A Great Choice for All Ages

Mutianyu Great Wall

If this is your first time visiting the Great Wall, Mutianyu is an excellent place to start. It's friendly to visitors that travel with parents or kids.

The terrain of Mutianyu is relatively gentle, without particularly steep climbs. You can take a cable car both up and down the Great Wall, which is convenient for visitors with limited mobility. In addition, this section features a toboggan ride. It's especially popular with kids and adds a fun, memorable touch to the experience. It's also worth noting that Mutianyu is not overly crowded with tourists.

Jinshanling Great Wall - Photographers' Favorite

Jinshanling Great Wall

For photography enthusiasts, Jinshanling is one of the best choices. Although the steps at Jinshanling are steeper, the higher elevation rewards you with sweeping, endless views of the Wall stretching into the distance, especially during sunrise or sunset. And you can also get a chance to witness the Great Wall surrounded by a sea of clouds.

The restored parts provide a safe and easy path to explore, while the unrestored sections give you a glimpse of the wall's original state and a more adventurous feel. But it doesn't require extensive hiking experience, as you can take a cable car to reach the restored areas. Compared to Mutianyu, Jinshanling sees even fewer visitors.

Jiankou Great Wall - Paradise for Hiking Enthusiasts

Jiankou Great Wall

Jiankou is a "wild" section, offering a glimpse of the wall's original state. If you're an adventurer seeking a challenge and an off-the-beaten-path experience, the Jiankou Great Wall is the best section for you to explore.

Jiankou's rugged terrain has steep climbs and sharp drops. However, safety remains paramount. This section is not recommended for anyone with mobility issues or a fear of heights. We recommend you hire a professional guide, as they can help you navigate the journey smoothly.

Simatai Great Wall - Unique Night Visit Experience

If you're looking for a unique Great Wall experience, consider Simatai. This section of the Wall is open for night visits.

During the day, once you reach a higher point on the Simatai Great Wall, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding area and Gubei Water Town. At night, you can see the illuminated wall wind through the darkness like a golden Chinese dragon. After your night visit, you can stay overnight at a hotel in nearby Gubei Water Town.

Huanghuacheng Great Wall - The Only Lakeside Section

Huanghuacheng Lakeside Great Wall

The Huanghuacheng section of the Great Wall is the only "Watery Great Wall," surrounded by Haoming Lake. It's an ideal spot for family trips, as the area offers many recreational activities, such as speedboat rides, a small train, and even a children's playground.

Although there's no cable car in Huanghuacheng, you can take a slide to go up the mountain, enjoying the scenic views along the way. Each ride on the slide can accommodate about 3-4 people.

Badaling Great Wall - The Most Well-Equipped Section

The Great Wall in Beijing

Badaling is arguably the best-restored and most well-equipped section of the Great Wall in Beijing. It features both cable cars and slides, making it very convenient to go up and down the mountain.

Inside the Badaling Great Wall site, there are many snack shops and restaurants, so you can enjoy some local Beijing cuisine after your visit. You can even order delivery during your climbing on Badaling. There will be drones bringing your food up from the foot of the mountain.

The main drawback of this section is that it attracts a huge number of domestic tourists, especially during Chinese public holidays.

Let Us Take You to Your Favorite Part of The Great Wall

Intact or ruined, kid-friendly or adventurous... The Great Wall always has something to offer. By comparing the information, you probably already have the best part of the Great Wall in mind. For a hassle-free trip to China with Great Wall that most matches your interests, please feel free to send an inquiry or reach us via trip@odynovotours.com.