The Great Wall of China

Visiting the Great Wall of China is one of those trips of a lifetime that most people will only dream about. Luckily, access to China has become relatively easy in the past 20 years and now anybody can get to the Great Wall of China. It is best to tour the wall without the help of a guide or tour group so you can climb at your own pace. Tour guides at the Great Wall are usually pricey and few and far between. Climbing at least part of the Great Wall of China is a must for anyone that is physically capable. One of the best and most accessible areas to hike the wall is the Badalong or Mutianyu Sections near Beijing. Although these areas have the most tourists, they are restored, safe, and have amenities capable of handling the large crowds.

Jinshanling and Simatai

The two other sections of the Great Wall of China that we recommend people see are Jinshanling and Simatai. Both of these sections are about 75 km from Beijing, but have a lot less tourists than Badalong and Mutianyu. These sections are also adjacent to each other so you can hike the wall from Jinshanling to Simatai, which typically takes less than a day. Along with the Badalong and Mutianyu Sections, this is a great area to hike the wall. Keep in mind that these areas are authentic and have mostly not been restored. The wall is deteriorated in some places and can be a little treacherous at times. But, for the adventurist and for those who want to avoid the large crowds, this is the ideal hike if you want to spend a day hiking on the Great Wall of China.

Exploring Remote Areas of the Great Wall of China

It is very likely that you will only see a small fraction of the Great Wall on your visit to China. The wall is enormous, and at over 4000 miles, you will never see the entire thing. The Great Wall of China traverses mountains, rivers, deserts, and even plunges into the ocean. Going into a remote area to explore the Great Wall of China is not recommended unless you are with an organized tour. Many areas have fallen into complete disrepair and in the event that you get lost or injured, emergency services in China are non-existent in many locations.

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