One cannot discuss the great outdoors in Beijing without mentioning the Great Wall. There is only one Great Wall, but quite a few famous sections await your exploration. The article may help you to get some ideas on which section fit better for your hiking.
Badaling Great Wall
An estimated 75% of tourists see the Great Wall at Badaling section – fully restored and the least steep, so recommended if you have small children. Near Badaling, Juyongguan Great Wall has also undergone extensive restoration. The view isn’t quite as dramatic as that of Badaling, but still good and less crowded.
Mutianyu Great Wall
If you're not pressed for time, it is advisable to avoid the above sections and instead go to the Mutianyu. Developed as an alternative to Badaling, this section offers equally good views and smaller crowds. There are 22 watchtowers, and hiking from one tower to another is relatively easy. It is a most popular and child-friendly among foreign travelers.
Jinshanling Great Wall
The Great Wall at Jinshanling is half restored and half wild. The 10km long section has many well-preserved structures including beacon towers and battlement. The difficulty of Jinshanling hike is moderate, but always safe. As Jinshanling is connected to the
Gubeikou in the west and
Simatai in the east, it offers the possibility of a long hiking.
Jiankou Great Wall
Jiankou section is much more wild and isolated compared with Jinshanling. The broken wildness and perilous steepness make it the most dangerous section of the Great Wall. For more adventurous and experienced travelers, it’s worth it. A great option is to start there, then hike to Mutianyu.
