The Best 10 Great Wall Sections to Visit: The Great Wall of China has many sections traversing the vastness of northern China. They were built during different historical periods, and constructed with different materials. It is sometimes difficult for visitors to decide which section to visit. Here we list the top 10 parts worth visiting, and you can choose according to your preferences and travel experiences.
The Best 10 Great Wall Sections to Visit
Though the Great Wall is over 6,000 kilometers long, the best 10 Great Wall sections to visit are around Beijing’s north and east: 1) the best-restored, Mutianyu, 2) the most beautiful, Jinshanling, 3) the wildest, Jiankou, 4) Simatai, 5) Huanghuacheng, 6) Gubeikou, 7) Juyongguan, 8) Huangyaguan, 9) Shanhaiguan, and by far the most crowded 10) Badaling.
1. Badaling – Top Choice of First Time Visitors
Badaling is the best-preserved and most representative section of the Great Wall of China. It has been renovated, and equipped with handrails, a cableway, and a pulley to make your visit safer and easier. Walking on the wall and enjoying the grand watchtowers will leave you with an unforgettable memory.
There may be a long queue waiting to take the public transport to Badaling. To save time and energy, you can join a tour with transport and guide included:
Badaling Great Wall Hiking : hike the Badaling accompanied by our professional guide.
2. Mutianyu – A Better Destination on Hot Holidays
Mutianyu is well-preserved and famous for its grandeur and beauty. The winding wall crawls along mountain ridges. The watchtowers are closely distributed along the wall, and many like Zhengguan Terrace and Big Corner Towerhave their own unique characteristics. The cableway and slideway certainly can make your visit less strenuous. During some holidays, especially National Day Holiday (October 1st to 7th), Badaling may be overcrowded, so Mutianyu is your priority.
Recommended tour:
1-Day Beijing Private Tour: Mutianyu, Forbidden City
3. Jinshanling – A Section with Closely-Spaced and Distinctive Watchtowers
Jinshanling is known for its intoxicating scenery. The wall extends 6.5 miles (10.5 kilometers) along the mountain ridges. The watchtowers are close together, and vary in materials, number of tiers, and roof structure. Seeing these distinctive watchtowers is an interesting and delightful experience. In addition, you can easily ascend the wall by cable car.
4. Simatai – A Renovated Section with Authentic Beauty
The Simatai Great Wall retains the wall’s original authentic beauty. The renovation only focused on necessary reinforcements. The cableway can take you onto the wall easily. Notably, you can make a night visit to the wall, which is certainly a unique experience. You are advised to make a reservation to visit Simatai.
5. Juyongguan – The Closest Great Wall Pass from Beijing
Juyongguan, together with Jiayuguan and Shanhaiguan, is one of the three grand passes along the wall. It is circular in shape. You can go around the wall, without backtracking. At the heart of the pass stands the Cloud Platform, an exquisite white marble platform. The doorway is engraved with sutras in six languages, and carved with Buddha and Heavenly Kings. In addition, you can find ancient towers and temples inside the pass.
6. Jiankou – Wild and Dangerous, More Suitable for Experienced Hikers
It is the most precipitous and challenging section close to Beijing. The W-shaped wall snakes up and down the mountain ridges just like a bow, hence its name “Jiankou”, meaning “Arrow Nock”. The wall has never been renovated, and well retains its natural beauty. Owing to the steep mountains and intoxicating scenery, Jiankou has always been an ideal place for photographers and adventurers.
7. Gubeikou – Wild, Dilapidated, but Authentic
Not having been restored, it is dilapidated, but authentic. It was first built during the Northern Qi Dynasty (550-577) and continued during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It consists of two sections: Wohushan Section and Panlongshan Section. You can still read its past glory through the old wall and broken watchtowers.
8. Shanhaiguan – “First Pass under Heaven”
Shanhaiguan is known as the “First Pass under Heaven”. It is square in shape, with four gates. The Zhendong Gate in the east is the grandest. Above the gateway stands a magnificent gate tower. Under the eave of the tower hangs a large plaque that reads “First Pass under Heaven”. Also, there is a barbican outside the Zhendong Gate, forming a complete defense. In addition, there are many ancient buildings inside the pass, such as old stages, towers, and temples.
9. Laolongtou – The Wall by the Seaside
Laolongtou is quite unique among the top 10 parts. It terminates at the Bohai Sea. It resembles a dragon drinking water by the seaside. Hence, Laolongtou is also known as “Old Dragon’s Head”. Not only can you enjoy the time-honored wall and ancient buildings, but you will also be amazed by the charming coastal scenery.
10. Jiayuguan – A Grand Yellow Pass Made of Packed Earth
Jiayuguan, known as the “First and Grandest Pass under Heaven”, is the western end of the Great Wall. It is a double defensive system, consisting of an Inner City and an Outer City. Different from previous sections made of bricks and stones, Jiayuguan is made of yellow packed earth. You will be deeply impressed by the grand pass standing amid the desolation of the Gobi desert.
FAQ
How many sections of Great Wall?
There are 8 sections of the Great Wall in Beijing city and most of the Great Wall sections are well-preserved: Badaling Great Wall, Juyongguan Great Wall, Huanghuacheng Great Wall, Jiankou Great Wall, Mutianyu Great Wall, Gubeikou Great Wall, Jinshanling Great Wall, and Simatai Great Wall.
Which section of the Great Wall is best?
Jinshanling Great Wall is believed as the most beautiful among all sections of Great Wall. It is one of the best-preserved sections of Great Wall either, featuring in steep stairs, ornate and dense towers which afford sweeping views of the Wall as it snakes into the horizon.
What is the most famous section of the Great Wall?
The Most Famous, Visited, and Restored Section. Badaling is one of the most famous and frequently visited sections of the Great Wall of China.
What is the oldest section Great Wall?
The Great Wall of Qi (simplified Chinese: 齐长城; traditional Chinese: 齊長城; pinyin: Qí Chángchéng) is the oldest part of the Great Wall in China that is still standing. It started being built in 441 BC (during the Spring and Autumn period) by the state of Qi.
What is the longest section of the Great Wall?
Located 68km east of Badaling, the 2km-long Mutianyu section is the longest fully-restored section of the Great Wall, with 22 watchtowers that were originally built as early as 1368.
What is the most beautiful section of the Great Wall?
Jinshanling is considered the most beautiful section of the Great Wall and an excellent place to hike. In fact, it is the most popular section of the Great Wall for hiking.
What are the three important passes of the Great Wall?
Along the wall were many strategic “passes” (i.e., fortresses) and gates. Among them were Juyong, Daoma, and Zijing passes, the three closest to the Ming capital Beijing. Together they were referred to as the Three Inner Passes. Farther west were Yanmen, Ningwu, and Piantou passes, known as the Three Outer Passes.
How many great walls are there?
It is joined together now, but there were actually 19 walls that were built. However, many of them are no longer in existence. The original wall was built by the Qin Dynasty, with other dynasties continuing to work on it throughout history.
How long is the main part of the Great Wall?
The Great Wall of China is also known as the wanli changcheng or Long Wall of 10,000 Li (a li is a measure of distance, approximately 1/3 of a mile). The main wall is around 2,145 miles (3,460 km) long with an extra 1,770 miles (2,860 km) of branches and spurs.
Which is the 2nd Great Wall of world?
Kunbhalgarh fort is the one of the oldest fort . Its wall is 2nd Longest in the world.
Who built the sections of the wall?
It was during this dynasty that the Great Wall of China as we know it today began. In 1474, General Qi Jiguang oversaw the construction of the best-known and most preserved section of the Great Wall, reaching from today’s Shanhaiguan in Hebei to Juyongguan in Beijing.
What are the Sections of the Great Wall?
- Badaling.
- Mutianyu.
- Jinshanling.
- Simatai at Gubei Water Town.
- Huanghuacheng Lakeside Wall.
- Camping on a Wild Wall Section with Mr. Chen.
- Juyongguan (Juyong Pass)
- Laolongtou (Great Wall by the Sea)
