Great Wall Maps

Badaling Great Wall

Features: This very popular section and the first part of the Great Wall that was opened to the public.

Facilities: Enclosed cable car

Location: 150km( 2 hours drive) northwest of downtown Beijing

Length: 3.7km

Distance from parking lot: 100 meters easy walking

Hiking level: Easy (mostly flat or gentle inclines on level hard surfaces – "a walk in the park".)

Duration: About 2 hours

Nearby attractions: Sacred Road, Ming Tombs, Juyongguan Great Wall

Points of interest: Commune by the Great Wall ( house art)

Special Note: Please watch for cars while walking from the parking lot to the cable car entrance.

Juyongguan Great Wall

Features: In the District of Changping, Juyongguan has always been a pivotal part of the 8,000 klm Great Wall. It was a crucial defense project to safeguard Beijing in ancient times.

Facilities: No cable car

Location: 70km( 1-2 hours drive) northwest of downtown Beijing

Length: 4.1km

Distance from parking lot: 50 meters easy walking

Hiking level: Moderate (some steep steps and uneven surfaces.)

Duration: About 1-2 hours

Near by attractions: Sacred Road, Ming Tombs, Badaling Great Wall

Special Note: This section is divided into two sides. One side is mostly a gentle incline and the other mostly steep steps.

Jiankou Great Wall

Features: Jiankou Great Wall is regarded as one of the most dangerous sections of the Ming wall. Compared with Mutianyu Great Wall, the mountain is higher and steeper, while compared with Simatai Great Wall, it is more winding and varied.

Facilities: No cable car

Location: 95km( 2 hours drive) north of downtown Beijing

Length: 20km

Distance from parking lot: 100 meters easy walking

Hiking level: Advanced (steep, treacherous or exposed climbs with highly uneven surfaces – experience in mountain walking or scrambling is highly desirable. )

Duration: About 2-3 hours

Near by attractions: Mutianyu Great Wall

Special Note:This section is not officially open and the ticket price is set by local authorities. It is only recommended for expereinced hikers.

Mutianyu Great Wall

Features:The Great Wall Mutianyu section is less-crowded and has suburb views through watch towers.

Facilities: Enclosed cable car & opened slideway

Location: 95km( 2 hours drive) north of downtown Beijing

Length: 2.2km

Distance from parking lot: 300 meters steep walking

Hiking level: Easy(mostly flat or gentle inclines on level hard surfaces – "a walk in the park".)

Duration: About 1-2 hours

Near by attractions: Hongluo (Red River snail) Temple Resort, Yanqi Lake Tourist Zone, Jiankou Great Wall

Points of interest: Mutianyu Schoolhouse Restaurant

Special Note: The parking lot is a 300 meter walk with a steep slope, and may not suitable for those weak with mobility problems.

Gubeikou Great Wall

Features:The Great Wall at Gubeikou was built on precipitous mountain ridges which conform to the rolling mountain terrain.

Facilities: No cable car

Location: 150km( 3 hours drive) northwest of downtown Beijing

Length: 6km

Distance from parking lot: 10 meters easy walking

Hiking level: Moderate(some steep steps and uneven surfaces.)

Duration: About 2-3 hours

Near by attractions: Ancient town

Points of interest: Local house visiting

Special Note: It is not recommended to hike from Gubeikou section to Jingshanling section because of the closed military zone.

Jinshanling Great Wall

Features: It has never been repaired, and provides a unique view of the Wall, watchtowers and magnificent scenery.

Facilities: Enclosed cable car

Location: 150km( 3 hours drive) northeast of downtown Beijing

Length: 5.1km

Distance from parking lot: 650 meters steep walking (cable car is recommended)

Hiking level: Advanced(steep, treacherous or exposed climbs with highly uneven surfaces – experience in mountain walking or scrambling is highly desirable.)

Duration: About 4-5 hours (from Jinshanling section to Simata section)

Near by attractions: Chengde

Points of interest: Local family visiting

Special Note: This section is not recommended for elderly climbers of the very young as it has not been repared. Please do not to use cell phone while raining. Some local people may try to sell you some souvenirs. If you are interested in buying, remember to bargain; if not, just walk away.

Simata Great Wall

Features: This section of the Great Wall incorporates the many different characteristics of other sections of the Great Wall. It is known for its steepness. People said "The Great Wall is the best of the Chinese buildings, and Simatai is the best of the Great Wall."

Facilities: Enclosed cable car

Location: 145km( 3 hours drive) northeast of downtown Beijing

Length: 5.4km

Distance from parking lot: 20 meters easy walking

Hiking level: Advanced(steep, treacherous or exposed climbs with highly uneven surfaces – experience in mountain walking or scrambling is highly desirable.)

Duration: About 2 hours

Near by attractions: Jinshanling Great Wall

Points of interest: Simata guest house (Great Wall sightseeing from the room)

Special Note: This section has been repaired but is very steep. It is recommended for photographers but it will be very foggy while raining, visibility of five to ten meters.

Huangyaguan Great Wall

Features: The Great Wall at Huangyaguan is characterized as being "impenetrable, dangerous, old and beautiful". Huangyaguan Great Wall was part of a complete fortification consisting of a four-gated fortress, and thick city walls.

Facilities: No cable car

Location: 145km( 3 hours drive) northeast of downtown Beijing

Length: 42km

Distance from parking lot: 10 meters easy walking

Hiking level: Partly moderate(some steep steps and uneven surfaces.) and partly advanced(steep, treacherous or exposed climbs with highly uneven surfaces – experience in mountain walking or scrambling is highly desirable.)

Duration: About 2-3 hours

Points of interest: Local family visiting

Special Note: Please watch the steep steps.