If you’re like me, visiting the Great Wall of China has been on your bucket list for quite some time. I was fortunate enough to experience this amazing world wonder just a few months ago, and it was everything I’d hoped for. I got that pit-of-the-stomach excitement when I first laid eyes on the miles of wall that can be seen from afar, stretching and winding up into the lush hills. That feeling of excitement continued, even as I huffed it up the steep incline to get to the entrance, and it lasted up until I stepped foot through the ancient stone threshold. From there, the entire visit was completely surreal. Below is a bit about my bucket list experience along with some practical tips for visiting the Great Wall of China.
Brush Up on Your History
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Unless you have a guide with you or you happen to be a history buff, you may want to brush up on a few fun historical details and facts before visiting. While the sheer magnitude of the great wall is impressive enough to enjoy in itself, brushing up on a few fresh historical details would be one of my first practical tips for visiting the Great Wall of China.
Fun Facts About the Great Wall of China
- It took over 2,000 years to build the wall, from the 7th century BC to the 17th century AD.
- The wall is actually a series of fortifications, not a single-structured wall. It includes various disconnected sections and towers, some of them running parallel to each other in parts.
- The wall is 13,171 miles long (21,196 kilometers).
- The most well-known sections of the wall were constructed during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644).
- It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Choose the Right Section (one of the most important and practical tips for visiting the Great wall of China)
There are different sections of the wall to visit, and each has its own unique features. To ensure you choose the right section of the wall, be sure to consider the main reasons for your visit, who you’re going with, and how much physical activity you’re willing to endure. My intention was to simply see some sights, soak in the history, and take photos without too much hiking involved. I visited the Mutianyu section, and it turned out to be perfect for my visit.
There are Different Sections for Different Types of Visitors
- Badaling: This section is the most easily accessible but can get very crowded.
- Mutianyu: This section can be reached by cable car, is the most recently renovated, is great for families, and is less crowded. This is the section I visited, and I’ll talk about it in more detail below.
- Jinshanling: This section is the best choice for hikers and photographers. It’s less restored but is also considered the most beautiful.
- Simatai: This is the section if you’re looking for a unique night experience. It is the only section open at nighttime.
- Jiankou: This section is a bit wild and unrestored, for experienced hikers only.
- Huanghuacheng: A uniquely curved section of the wall near a lake, where visitors can take boat rides.
My Recommended Section of the Great Wall: Mutianyu
This is the section I visited and would most recommend. I appreciated having the cable cars to take me up to the top, and I thought the section was gorgeous. This is also the section that offers a fun toboggan ride on the way down. Sadly, the toboggans weren’t included in my visit, but if I was booking this independently, you bet I wouldn’t pass up the chance to take a slide down from the Great Wall of China! Here are some more details and practical trips from my visit to the Mutianyu section.
Prepare to Climb the Hill at Mutianyu
While visitors are able to board cable cars to get to the top of this section of the wall, there is quite a steep hill to climb before reaching them. This climb felt like it took forever in the September heat and humidity, but most of my group made it up just fine. One older member of our group had a hard time with the hill, but there was a man offering to help take her up the hill in his cart. He charged a fee and also sold souvenirs, so I could tell he gets quite a bit of business here.
Stock up at the Shops at Start of the Journey (one of the most practical tips for visiting the Great Wall of China)
There were plenty of shops before we started the hill climb toward the cable cars. One of the most practical tips for visiting the Great Wall of China is to stock up on supplies before you get to the top. From what I could tell, there were no local vendors at all along the top of the wall. So be sure to pick up your water and snacks before you set off.
Be Quick with the Cable Cars
This cable car ride up was one of the highlights of the trip. The cars don’t stop moving, so you’ve got to move quickly and hop into one before it moves away and the doors close. Once inside, however, the view up the hill was amazing. We could see the wall winding through the lush green hills. It felt like a theme park ride, and I was about to reach the main attraction. The cable car exit is the same as the entrance: get your stuff ready, because once you reach the top, you’ve got to step out quickly before the car moves on.
Watch Your Step: Uneven Walkways
I must say that the entire time I was visiting the Great Wall of China, I couldn’t help but think how difficult this would be for those with mobility issues. There are massive stone steps leading up the entrance that are uneven and steep. Once on the wall, there are other various parts that have precarious looking steps, some of them very short and uneven. I actually saw a women fall while walking down some of the steps at the tower. I think the heat was affecting her as well, but she had her family helping her and she turned out to be ok. But lesson learned: watch your step.
Budget Enough Time for the Visit
I had 2 hours available to me during my tour, and that included getting up to the wall, enjoying the experience, and getting back down. This was technically enough time, but I would recommend at least 3 hours if possible. While walking at a leisurely pace and stopping often to take many photos, I was able to reach about 3 towers before I had to turn back. The heat and humidity of September also slowed me down a bit too, so visiting in colder months might allow you to explore a bit further.
Get Your Souvenirs at the Exit (one of the more fun and practical tips for visiting the Great Wall of China)
Like any great tourist attraction, there are plenty of souvenirs to pick up after your visit. I saw some small vendor booths after we exited the cable cars, but the best gift shop was down near the shops. It was air conditioned, had a ton of gift options, and had very friendly staff. I ended up buying a couple magnets and a nice paper fan.
What to Bring:
- Comfortable shoes: There will be tons of walking, even with the cable cars involved. Prepare to walk up hill, long distances, and up and down many uneven stairs.
- Water: Bring your own water or pick some up at the shops near the entrance before you start walking up the hill. Remember to only drink the bottled water in China.
- Heat Protection (for summer visits): It’s always smart to dress in layers. For summer, bring those hand-held electric fans or paper fans, and be sure to wear a hat and sunscreen. Bonus Tip: pack the cream-based sunscreen. I had originally packed the aerosol spray kind, and the can kept getting me stopped at airport security and finally got confiscated during my last airport stop.
- Bug Spray: I can’t speak for other times of the year, but in the humid summer weather, the mosquitos were very much enjoying the top of the Great Wall. I was wearing long pants, so I figured my legs were fine and only sprayed my arms because I was wearing a tank top. In the end, I left with tons of bites on my legs. So, practical tip: bring the bug spray for visiting the Great Wall of China. Bonus tip: Similar to the note above about the sunscreen, avoid the aerosol cans and go for the spray-bottle bug spray if possible.
- Backup power bank: Whether you’re using your phone as a camera or have other photography equipment, backup power is always smart when visiting major tourist sites. I prefer these cordless phone chargers because they are easy to toss in your bag, and don’t affect your phone use much while charging.
Summary: Practical Tips for Visiting the Great Wall of China
Visiting the Great Wall of China is an amazing experience. Seeing this iconic historical site that took 2,000 years to construct is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most travelers. In preparation, be sure to do a bit of research, brush up on your ancient Chinese history, and follow the practical tips here to make sure your visit is a smooth one.
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