Which Section of the Great Wall is the Best?

Contrary to what most people believe, the Great Wall is not one long continuous wall, but rather multiple walls. Each part of the wall is unique and not so unique in its own way. Many travelers often have trouble deciding which part of the Great Wall they’d like to visit. With so many walls to choose from, travelers are often left wondering, “Which section of the Great Wall is the best?”

The most popular part of the wall is Badaling and consequently the part you will want to AVOID, especially during Chinese holidays and weekends. A simple Badaling Google search is all you need to see to deter you from this part. While Badaling is quite crowded, it is the most accessible from Beijing (70km) and safest (highly renovated).

Other popular options are Jiankou, Jinshanling, Mutianyu, and Simatai; all great choices.

Which Section of the Great Wall is the Best?

Jinshanling is personally my favorite and one I highly recommend. 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. Unlike Badaling, Jinshanling is more authentic as there is less renovation.

How to get to Jinshanling

Jinshanling is a bit far from Beijing (154 kilometers/96 miles), but worth it if you have the time. Lucky for me, I had some local friends drive me there. If you don’t have the fortune of having local friends then you can easily take public transportation, which will save you about $50 from having to take a tour.

From Wangjing West Station, take the bus bound for Luanping (every 40 minutes between 7:00am-4:30 pm) all the way until you reach the Jinshanling Resting Area next to the highway. From here, take the free shuttle bus the rest of the 6 kilometer journey.

You’ll pay about 23rmb for the bus (one way) and 65rmb for the entrance fee for Jinshanling. To return to Beijing, just go to the visitor’s section of the resting area and take the bus back, which leaves every hour. Ask about the bus schedule at the resting area when you arrive in the morning to avoid any problems later.

The initial climb to the top can be a bit strenuous, but once you reach the top, it’s an easy walk. Relax and enjoy the views 🙂

When is the Best Time to Visit?

April-early June & September-early November are ideal times as you’ll avoid the rainy season and extreme heat. I visited in early May, which was perfect, a bit chilly in the morning but cool in the afternoon. If you don’t mind a snow-covered wall and the cold, then the winter is also a good time to visit as you’ll likely be the only person in sight.

It will take you around 3 hours to walk the length of the wall and back. Much of it is easy, so no worries if you aren’t in the best physical shape!