Since my school days, the long history and majestic presence of the Great Wall have been deeply etched in my heart. As a symbol of ancient Chinese civilization, the Wall stretches from the sea in the east to the Gobi Desert in the west, winding across the mountains, grasslands, and deserts of northern China.
As a hiking guide with nearly 20 years of experience, I have led tours and conducted personal explorations of the Great Wall over a thousand times, visiting more than 30 sections from different periods and dynasties. These include both restored sections and those that remain in their original state. The more I hike, the more I appreciate its beauty.
I am eager to share the history of the Great Wall and my hiking experiences with fellow enthusiasts. Therefore, I have written this hiking guide to help you select the most suitable hiking route.
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- How Long Does It Take to Hike the Great Wall
- Which Section to Choose
- Best Times
- Other Practical Tips
- Great Wall Hiking FAQs
How Long Does It Take to Hike the Great Wall?
- For most visitors, I generally recommend exploring the sections of the Great Wall in Beijing or its surrounding areas, which can typically be visited in a day.
- If you are a hiking enthusiast looking for a more challenging experience, you can plan a hike ranging from 2 to 15 days based on your physical fitness and time availability.
Is it possible to hike the entire Great Wall of China?
Yes, it is possible. However, it takes years to cover the 13,000+ miles of the entire wall. It took Stephen Robert Loken of Norway, aged 42, 601 days to hike the entire Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) Great Wall, which spans 3,728 miles (6,000 kilometers).
Great Wall Hiking MapWhich Great Wall Section Should I Choose to Hike?
If you prefer to avoid crowded sections, hiking the wild Great Wall is one of the best recommendations.
Here are some of my favorite sections, all of which are approximately 2.5 to 4 hours' drive from Beijing. They are listed in order of scenic beauty, with the more beautiful and easier hikes placed at the top.
| Great Wall Hiking | Travel Time from Beijing | Difficulty | Scenery Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jinshanling - Simatai West (4 hours) | 2.5 hours | *** | ***** |
| Jinshanling - Gubeikou (5 hours) | 2.5 hours | **** | ***** |
| Dongjiakou - Xigou (5-6 hours) | 4 hours | **** | ***** |
| Wulonggou (5-6 hours) | 4 hours | **** | ***** |
| Jiankou - Mutianyu (5 hours) | 2.5 hours | ***** | ***** |
| Jiankou (4-6 hours) | 2.5 hours | ***** | ***** |
| Yangbian to Dayingpan (8 hours) | 3 hours | ***** | ***** |
| Futuyu (5-6 hours) | 4 hours | ***** | ***** |
| Chenjiabao (5 hours) | 2.5 hours | ***** | ***** |
| Huangyaguan (5 hours) | 3 hours | *** | **** |
1. Jinshanling - Simatai West (金山岭 - 司马台)
Jinshanling–Simatai Great Wall Hiking- Hiking Time: 4 hours, 7-8 km
- Difficulty: Moderate (3 stars)
- Scenery: Beautiful (5 stars)
- Travel Time from Beijing: 2.5 hours
The usual route starts from the Main Gate (Middle Gate) and ends at the East Gate.
Along the way, you can see the restored sections of the Great Wall. Heading east from the East Five-Arched Tower, you will encounter unrestored parts of the wall, where you can see many inscriptions from the Ming Dynasty.
After that, you can return to the East Five-Arched Tower and proceed back to the East Gate to conclude your hike.
See 4-Day Beijing Private Tour to Visit the Great Wall at Night
2. Jinshanling - Gubeikou (金山岭 - 古北口)
Jinshanling–Gubeikou Great Wall Hiking- Hiking Time: 5 hours, 10-11 km
- Difficulty: Moderate (4 stars)
- Scenery: Beautiful (5 stars)
- Travel Time from Beijing: 2.5 hours
Gubeikou Great Wall is also known as Panlongshan Great Wall. You can hike from the eastern Jinshanling section to the western Gubeikou or vice versa. Due to military restrictions, there are some detours, but the scenery is stunning.
See One Day Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking Tour
3. Dongjiakou - Xigou (董家口 - 西沟)
- Location: Hebei Qinhuangdao and Liaoning Suizhong
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours, approximately 12 km
- Difficulty: Moderate (4 stars)
- Scenery: Beautiful (5 stars)
- Travel Time from Beijing: About 4 hours
This section starts at Dongjiakou Village and ends at Xigou Village. Due to a road interruption, you will need to cross the road to continue.
This section features original, unrestored Wall, suitable for those with normal fitness levels and some hiking experience.
4. Wulonggou Great Wall (乌龙沟)
Wulonggou Great Wall- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours, approximately 12 km
- Difficulty: Moderate (4 stars)
- Scenery: Beautiful (5 stars)
- Travel Time from Beijing: 4 hours
This section of the Great Wall is situated in Laiyuan County, Hebei Province. The hike starts from Meiyao Village and ends at the Wu-zihao Protection Station. Accommodation and meals are available at the home of Li Yong, the Great Wall protector.
The scenery along the way is breathtaking, featuring original and unrestored sections of the Great Wall. The landscape resembles the stone forests of Zhangjiajie, and most of the watchtowers on the wall are well-preserved.
You can see stone mills, stone grinders, earthen stoves, and grain storage cellars left by the soldiers who once guarded the border.
This section of the Great Wall is challenging and suitable for experienced hikers with good physical fitness.
5. Jiankou - Mutianyu (箭扣 - 慕田峪)
Jiankou - Mutianyu Great Wall- Hiking Time: 5 hours, approximately 10 km
- Difficulty: Challenging (5 stars)
- Scenery: Beautiful (5 stars)
- Travel Time from Beijing: 2.5 hours
Starting from Xishanzi Village in Huairou, the hike leads to Zhengbeilou, a popular photo spot where the original Ming Dynasty Great Wall comes into view.
Many photographers and hiking enthusiasts love to take photos and check in here. It is the best place to capture sunsets and sea of clouds along the Jiankou Great Wall.
Continuing forward, the Niujiaobian section is relatively steep, but it can also be bypassed. The hike concludes at the Mutianyu Great Wall section, where most of the wall has been restored and, compared to other wild sections of the Great Wall, attracts more visitors.
See One-Day Jiankou to Mutianyu Great Wall Hiking Tour
6. Jiankou Great Wall (箭扣)
Hike on the Jiankou Great Wall- Hiking Time: 4-6 hours, 8-10 km
- Difficulty: Challenging (5 stars)
- Scenery: Beautiful (5 stars)
- Travel Time from Beijing: 2.5 hours
The typical route starts from the eastern section of Jiankou and climbs up to Xidaqiang, where the descent begins.
Along the way, you will pass through Danbianqiang, 38 Steps, General Guarding the Pass, Tianti Ladder, Fotou, Eagle Flying Upside Down, Beijing Knot, and other scenic spots.
The scenery is breathtaking and beautiful, but the hiking difficulty is relatively high, suitable for experienced hikers with good physical fitness.
Of course, shorter hikes are also possible, as there are many exits along the way for those who may not have the stamina to continue and can choose to descend earlier.
Here is a 3-Day Jiankou to Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking Discovery Tour for your inspiration.
7. Yangbian to Dayingpan (样边 - 大营盘)
Yangbian Great Wall- Hiking Time: About 8 hours, 20 km
- Difficulty: Challenging (5 stars)
- Scenery: Beautiful (5 stars)
- Travel Time from Beijing: 3 hours
This section of the Great Wall is located in Huailai County, Hebei Province. By navigating to "Yangbian Great Wall," we can drive directly to the foot of the wall.
This section is relatively long and entirely original, without any restoration. It was built along the ridge of the mountain, with some parts being relatively gentle, others steep, and some even constructed on cliffs, with abyssal depths below.
The scenery is breathtaking, but the difficulty is high, making it suitable for experienced hikers with good physical fitness.
8. Futuyu Great Wall (浮图峪)
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours, approximately 10 km
- Difficulty: Challenging (5 stars)
- Scenery: Beautiful (5 stars)
- Travel Time from Beijing: 4 hours
This section of the Great Wall is located within Laiyuan County, Hebei Province. It begins at the large platform of the Futuyu section of the Great Wall and ends in Tianqiao Village.
The entire stretch of the Great Wall along this route is an original section of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall, mostly well-preserved with densely constructed watchtowers.
The scenery along the way is breathtaking, and from the highest point, you can see 14 watchtowers connected by the Great Wall, forming the famous "14 Beaded Towers."
This section of the Great Wall is challenging for hiking and is suitable for guests with good physical fitness.
9. Chenjiabao Great Wall (陈家堡)
- Hiking Time: 5 hours, 10 km
- Difficulty: Challenging (5 stars)
- Travel Time from Beijing: 2.5 hours
You can start the climb from the Dragon King Temple in Chenjiabao Village and descend at Daheigou.
Along the way, you will pass through General's Tower, Mandarin Duck Tower, and Hunchback Tower. This section of the Great Wall is original and unrestored.
If you feel physically exhausted, you can take the exit at Mandarin Duck Tower to return to the village.
10. Huangyaguan Great Wall (黄崖关)
Huangyaguan Great Wall- Hiking Time: 5 hours, 9-10 km
- Difficulty: Average (3 stars)
- Scenery: Beautiful (4 stars)
- Travel Time from Beijing: About 3 hours
I recommend climbing from the East Gate at Taipingzhai, proceed to the Tianti Ladder, and then return to the Main Gate via the same route. This section allows you to see both restored and original parts of the Wall.
Check out 5-Day Huangyaguan to Huanghuacheng Great Wall Hiking Tour
The Best Time to Hike the Great Wall
Mutianyu Great Wall in autumnThe best seasons for hiking the Great Wall are spring and autumn, when the weather is pleasant. In spring, countless wildflowers bloom, while autumn showcases vibrant foliage. Mid-October to late October is ideal for viewing autumn leaves.
Sections like Jinshanling, Dongjiakou, Jiankou, and Chenjiabao are great for experiencing both spring flowers and autumn leaves.
Other Practical Tips
- When hiking the wild Great Wall, it's advisable to bring trekking poles to ease the difficulty and deter small animals.
- Ensure you have enough water and snacks, especially during summer hikes when exertion is high.
- In summer, carry sunscreen; in winter, bring gloves and warm clothing.
- A first-aid kit is also essential for minor injuries. Guides from China Highlights will prepare a first-aid kit in advance.
- For multi-day hikes, I suggest staying in hotels or guesthouses near the Wall, allowing you to enjoy both the hiking experience and the local cuisine and lifestyle along the route.
- I recommend having a knowledgeable guide who is familiar with the routes, as many sections of the wild Great Wall are unrestored and located near remote villages. These areas can be challenging to navigate, and local villagers may need to be consulted for access. If you're unfamiliar with the routes and the villagers, it's easy to get lost or face difficulties entering the sites.
Great Wall Hiking FAQs
1. What are the trail conditions like?
There are dirt paths, steps, and trails covered with fallen leaves, paved sections, a few sections with loose bricks and small stones, and partly repaired or fully-restored sections to original and crumbling ones. Generally, the condition is a pleasant surprise to most customers.
We recommend you use walking boots that offer support and protection from loose bricks or rocks that your feet might kick. It is best to have non-slip soles in case of rain.
2. Which wall sections are best to see a sunrise and sunset from?
The best wall section to see both a sunrise and sunset from is Jinshanling. You need to stay for one night at the foot of the wall if you want to see a sunrise.
The Mutianyu section is also a good choice to see a sunset.
3. At which section can I see both ruined and repaired walls?
The Great Wall at Jinshanling is half repaired. You can see both a repaired section of wall and the original wall in ruins. This section also has the most beautiful natural scenery. Many professional Great Wall photos are taken at this section.
4. Is it possible to take a Great Wall hiking tour from Beijing airport?
Yes. If you travel with us, your guide and driver will pick you from the airport and drive you to the Great Wall (usually the Mutianyu section because it is quickest to get to from Beijing Airport, but, if your time allows, we can arrange for you to visit other sections).
Read about our 1-Day Great Wall hiking tour from the airport.
5. How to make Great Wall trips more interesting?
Various activities can make your experience more interesting, such as hiking the Great Wall at night, camping on the wall, and challenging yourself by taking a wild hike. Don't forget that your experienced guide will help the wall's vivid history come to life for you.
The Top 6 Interesting Things to Do on the Great Wall Besides Hiking
Discover the Great Wall with China Highlights!
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