Tips for Visiting the Great Wall of China: What I Learned After Going Twice
Visiting the Great Wall of China is one of those travel experiences that somehow still feels surreal even when you are standing on it.
I have now been twice, and both visits were unusually quiet, but for completely different reasons.
The first time, my family had private access through a relative of my dad’s, so that experience was definitely not typical. When I returned in July 2026 and visited the Juyongguan section, though, I was genuinely surprised by how empty it was again. This time, there was no special access involved, and we still had huge stretches of the wall practically to ourselves.
I really was not expecting that.
It also reminded me that visiting the Great Wall is not as simple as just putting “Great Wall of China” into your itinerary. There are different sections, the weather can completely change your experience, getting there takes time, and the wall itself can be much steeper and more physically demanding than photos make it look.
So if you are planning your first visit, here are the things I would want to know before going.
My Quick Tips for Visiting the Great Wall of China
If you do not want to read this entire guide, here is the short version:
Go early in the morning. You will usually have cooler temperatures and a better chance of avoiding some of the crowds.
Check the weather right before you go. Bring an umbrella if rain is possible and a handheld fan if you are visiting during the summer.
Wear real walking shoes. The steps can be uneven, steep, and surprisingly tiring.
Do not underestimate the height or incline. My mom is afraid of heights, and one section was so steep that she did not feel comfortable walking back down it.
Consider hiring a guide or booking a tour. The Great Wall is outside central Beijing, and having transportation and logistics handled for you can make the day significantly easier.
Choose your section carefully. Badaling, Mutianyu, Juyongguan, and the other sections can give you very different experiences.
Which Section of the Great Wall Should You Visit?
One of the first things I did not fully appreciate before visiting China is that there is not just one entrance to “the Great Wall.” There are multiple sections that you can visit from Beijing, and the right one depends on what kind of experience you want.
Badaling is probably the most famous and one of the easiest sections to reach, but that also means it can be very busy.
Mutianyu is another incredibly popular option and is known for being well preserved, scenic, and equipped with a cable car. It is one of the sections I would seriously consider for a first visit.
Then there is Juyongguan, which is where I went in July 2026. The thing that surprised me most was how empty it was. I had prepared myself for huge crowds because we were visiting China during summer, but there were moments when it genuinely felt like we had the Great Wall to ourselves.
Obviously, I cannot promise you will have the same experience, especially because crowds change depending on the day, season, and time you visit, but if you are trying to avoid the most heavily trafficked sections, Juyongguan is absolutely worth looking into.
Go as Early as You Can
If there is one tip I would prioritize, especially during the summer, it is this: Go early.
There are two reasons:
First, crowds. Even sections that are not packed when they open can get significantly busier as tour groups start arriving later in the morning.
Second, the heat. Summer in Beijing can be extremely hot and humid, and walking up what sometimes feels like an endless staircase becomes much less enjoyable when the sun is directly overhead. I would rather wake up early, get out to the Great Wall, and be heading back toward Beijing by the time the hottest part of the day hits.
Watch the Weather Very Closely
This is one of the biggest things I would tell anyone planning a Great Wall day. Check the weather the night before, and then check it again that morning.
You are walking on an exposed mountain ridge, so weather matters a lot more here than it might during a normal day of sightseeing in Beijing. If rain is possible, bring a small umbrella or lightweight rain jacket. If it is going to be hot, bring a handheld fan. This is one of those little travel purchases that suddenly feels like the best thing you packed when you are climbing steep stairs in July.
I would also bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and plenty of water.
Weather can also affect visibility, so on a hazy or rainy day, you may not get the sweeping mountain views you were hoping for.
Do Not Underestimate How Steep the Great Wall Is
Photos really do not prepare you for this. There were portions of the Great Wall where you're basically walking up a staircase built into the side of a mountain.
And the steps are not always nice, even, modern stairs.
Some are tall.
Some are shallow.
Some are uneven.
Sometimes you are taking huge steps up, followed by tiny ones, while trying to watch where you are going and somehow still look around at the view.
Good shoes matter.
I would wear sneakers or another pair of supportive walking shoes with decent traction. I would absolutely not make this the day you test out cute new sandals.
If You Are Afraid of Heights, Know That Some Sections Can Feel Intense
This was something I had never really thought about before going.
My mom is afraid of heights, and at Juyongguan we reached a section that became so steep that she did not feel comfortable going up or back down. Walking up can also feel completely different from turning around and suddenly seeing how steeply the wall drops below you.
So if you or someone you are traveling with has a serious fear of heights, mobility concerns, knee problems, or difficulty with steep stairs, I would research the specific section and route before you go.
Great Wall Sections I Would Avoid If You Are Afraid of Heights
Jiankou: I would probably skip this one entirely if heights make you uncomfortable. It is an unrestored section built along steep mountain ridges with cliffs on either side and is considered one of the more difficult and dangerous sections of the Great Wall. This is much more of a hiking experience than a casual sightseeing stop.
Simatai: This section is known for being steep and rugged, so I would not make it my first choice for someone with a strong fear of heights. The scenery is incredible, but some of the inclines and exposed mountain views can feel much more intense than the more developed sections.
Juyongguan West Route: Based on my own experience, I would be cautious here. The western side of Juyongguan is the steeper and more challenging route, and some of the stone steps are extremely tall. This is where my mom struggled with the height and incline. If you still want to visit Juyongguan, the eastern route is significantly gentler and would be the better choice.
The steeper parts of Badaling: Badaling overall is one of the easier and more developed sections, but that does not mean every part is easy. The area around Hero Slope and the farther northern watchtowers becomes extremely steep, so you do not necessarily want to follow the entire route just because you started at Badaling.
Better Options If You Are Afraid of Heights
If heights are a major concern, I would start with Badaling or Mutianyu.
Badaling is one of the most developed sections and has relatively gentle areas, handrails, and cable car access. You can also simply avoid the steeper northern portions.
Mutianyu is another good option because you can take a cable car up and choose a more relaxed walking route once you are on the wall. There are still steep sections, so I would not assume the entire thing is flat, but you have more flexibility to choose how adventurous you want the day to be.
And if you specifically want to visit Juyongguan, stick to the East Route rather than the West Route. The eastern side has gentler terrain and is generally considered the easier option.
How Long Does It Take to Get to the Great Wall From Beijing?
Do not plan the Great Wall like it is another Beijing neighborhood. It is a day trip.
Depending on which section you visit and Beijing traffic, you should generally expect the drive from central Beijing to take around 1.5 hours each way, sometimes longer.
For Juyongguan specifically, I would budget roughly 1.5 to 2 hours from central Beijing, depending on traffic and your exact starting point.
That means I would not try to cram a full day of Beijing sightseeing around your Great Wall visit. Give it the day.
I Would Consider Booking a Guide or Tour
Could you visit the Great Wall independently? Absolutely.
But this is one experience where I think a private guide, driver, or organized tour can genuinely make the day easier, especially on your first trip to China.
Transportation is the biggest reason. Instead of figuring out buses, transfers, tickets, and transportation back to Beijing, you can get picked up from your hotel, driven directly to the section you are visiting, and dropped back off afterward.
A guide can also add context that you would completely miss by simply walking along the wall. There is something very different about looking at a watchtower and thinking, “Wow, this is beautiful,” versus actually understanding why that tower was built there, how the defenses worked, and what you are looking at.
Depending on the tour you book, they may also build in additional cultural experiences during the day, such as a tea ceremony, lunch at a local restaurant, or another stop on the way to or from the Great Wall. On my July 2026 trip, we booked a tour that started with a tea ceremony before heading to the Great Wall, and I really enjoyed having that extra cultural experience built into the day. If you do book a tour like this, I would always read the itinerary carefully so you know exactly what is included and how much time you will actually have on the wall.
If you'd rather not have a guide though, a driver is a must.
And if you are working with Ryan and me to plan your China trip, this is exactly the kind of day trip we can help you work into your itinerary.
Bring Water, But Do Not Overpack
You want enough with you to be comfortable, but remember that you are the one carrying everything up those stairs.
I would bring:
Water
A handheld fan in summer — The one I brought, which I absolutely love, is linked here. It's compact, incredibly powerful, and has a 40 hour battery life.
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
A small umbrella or lightweight rain jacket if rain is possible
Your phone or camera
A portable charger — If you're bringing a portable charger to China, it must be CCC compliant such as the one linked here. If you prefer, you can purchase one while you're in China as well.
Tissues or a small pack of toilet paper — Restrooms near the Great Wall may not always have toilet paper available, and some facilities may use squat toilets rather than Western-style toilets. I always think it is worth keeping tissues and hand sanitizer in your bag just in case. Luckily, we were able to find a western-toilet in Juyongguan, but we were out of luck for toilet paper.
A small snack
Possibly a small towel too if you sweat a lot — the one I bought my dad is linked here.
I would keep everything in a lightweight backpack or crossbody rather than hauling around a huge travel bag.
Wear Something You Can Actually Move In
This is not necessarily the day for the outfit that only looks good while standing still.
You will probably be climbing, sweating, stepping over uneven surfaces, and potentially walking for several hours.
Breathable clothes are your friend in summer.
Layers are better during cooler months because the temperature and wind can feel different once you are up on the wall.
And again, I cannot emphasize the shoes enough. You are not walking along one perfectly flat stone path.
Give Yourself Time to Stop and Actually Look Around
This might sound obvious, but I caught myself doing this.
The Great Wall naturally turns into a challenge of: Let’s make it to that watchtower.
Then you get there and immediately see the next tower. And suddenly your entire visit becomes one giant StairMaster session.
My dad, sister, and I somehow turned part of the climb into a competition to see who could make it up first. My dad beat both of us, which was humbling, and I genuinely do not think I have ever been so sweaty in my life.
Stop. Turn around. Look at where you are.
The wall winding through the mountains is one of those views that really does not look real. Some of my favorite moments were just stopping and realizing how insane it was that I was standing there again.
Be Realistic About Mobility
I would also be cautious about recommending every part of the Great Wall to someone with limited mobility. The combination of steep slopes, old stone, uneven stairs, and potentially hot weather can make the experience physically demanding.
If you are traveling with older family members, young children, someone with knee problems, or someone who does not walk long distances regularly, research your route before arriving.
Choosing a section with easier access or cable car options can make a huge difference.
Avoid Major Chinese Holidays If You Can
If your travel dates are flexible, I would try not to schedule your Great Wall day during one of China’s major national holiday periods. These attractions can get incredibly crowded when domestic tourism spikes.
Even if you cannot avoid a busy travel period entirely, going early and choosing your section strategically can make a major difference.
This is another reason I loved our Juyongguan experience so much. Walking along sections of the Great Wall with almost nobody around us felt completely surreal.
Take More Photos Than You Think You Need
You are going to want them later. Take the classic wide shots, obviously, but also photograph the smaller details.
The uneven stairs.
The watchtower windows.
The brickwork.
The wall disappearing over the mountain.
Photos looking back at the portion you just climbed are often even better than the view straight ahead.
How Much Time Should You Spend at the Great Wall?
I would plan for around 2 to 4 hours actually at the wall, depending on your fitness level, the section you choose, and how much climbing you want to do.
You absolutely do not need to spend the entire day walking.
By the time you factor in transportation from Beijing, ticketing, walking, stopping for photos, and potentially having lunch, the Great Wall becomes a substantial day trip even if you only spend a few hours on the wall itself.
Is the Great Wall of China Worth Visiting?
Absolutely.
I have been twice now, and I would still go again.
There are certain famous attractions where you arrive and think, Okay, I get why this is famous, but I’ve seen the photos. The Great Wall did not feel like that to me.
Seeing it stretch across the mountains in person gives you a completely different sense of scale. And my second visit proved that the experience can feel totally different depending on which section you choose.
My first visit was incredibly special because my family had private access, so I knew going into that trip that having the wall practically to ourselves was not a normal experience. That is why I was so surprised when I returned in July 2026 and visited Juyongguan without any special access, only to find long stretches of the wall nearly empty again.
It was one of those travel moments that felt almost impossible considering we were standing at one of the most famous landmarks in the world.
Ready to Plan Your China Trip?
China can be one of the more intimidating destinations to plan if you have never been before, especially once you start figuring out transportation, apps, payments, internet access, day trips, and which attractions actually make sense together.
Ryan and I are travel advisors, and we can help you build a China itinerary around the way you actually want to travel. Whether you need help figuring out which section of the Great Wall to visit, booking hotels and tours, or planning the entire trip from beginning to end, we would love to help take the logistics off your plate.
Reach out to us about travel planning and booking services to start planning your China trip.
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