The Great Wall of China is an incredible feat of human achievement and it is one of the main reasons why so many tourists take on China tours and trips each and every year. Because of the sheer size of the wall – over 6,000km – there are many places where you can visit and see how different sections of the wall have been built, and what each part of it represents. As you can imagine this is a tourist attraction which sees huge volumes of people visiting, especially the sections in and around Beijing. If you are looking to visit the wall away from these busy spots, here are our top 5 recommendations.
Mutianyu
There are many sections of the wall which have been restored after years of disintegration and damage and one of the finest examples of this is here in Mutianyu. Located 73 km north of Beijing this section of the wall features a watchtower and fortresses along a vast stretch cuts through the landscape. If you are traveling with kids then this is a great spot, calm, quiet and well built.
Jiankou
If you are looking for a touch of danger then look no further than the Jiankou section of the wall which is around 3 horus from Beijing. This section of the wall is completely original and offers many steep sections which you climb at your own risk. In return for your candor you can expect to get some of the greatest photo opportunities of the wall, none more so than on the terraces above the watchtowers.
Simatai
Situated 120km from Beijing the Simatai section of the wall is the only place where you can enjoy the wall at night. Tours regularly run each evening and across a 50km section the wall is lit up to create a great spectacle. This section of the wall is half original and half restored, and it features some really steep climbs along the way. Visitors love the night hike and the falling red leaves of the surrounding trees during the autumn months.
Gubeikou
If you are a history buff the Gubeikou will be the prefect section of the wall for you to visit. In this region, located around 2 hours from Beijing by car, there have been over 130 documented battles. The reason for this was because this section from Beijing to northern Mongolia was vitally important for trade links. The wall here is wild and rugged and in some sections non-existent, the surrounding area however is of crucial importance from a historical point of view.
Shanhai Pass
This section of the wall can be found in Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province which is around 3 horus from Beijing. What is special about this section of the wall is that it is here that the wall meets the sea. This is the final section fo the Ming Dynasty Great Wall and the tour will take you right the way down to the water’s edge.
Which section of the wall would you prefer to see first?
