Great Wall of China Travel Guide

Trek Zone

Unesco • Locality

Facts and practical information

The Great Wall of China is an iconic historical site located in the Beijing region of China. Spanning over 13,000 miles, the Great Wall is one of the most remarkable engineering feats in the world and holds immense significance in Chinese history.

When visiting the Great Wall, visitors are greeted with awe-inspiring views and a sense of grandeur. The wall winds its way through rugged mountains, lush valleys, and picturesque landscapes, offering breathtaking panoramas at every turn. As you walk along the ancient stone pathways, you can't help but feel a profound connection to the past and marvel at the architectural genius that went into constructing this monumental structure.

The Great Wall of China is not just a physical barrier, but also a symbol of unity and protection. Built over several centuries, it served as a defensive fortification against invading forces, safeguarding the Chinese civilization from potential threats. Today, it stands as a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of the Chinese people.

Visitors to the Great Wall have the opportunity to explore various sections, each with its own unique characteristics. The most popular section, Badaling, offers well-preserved walls and easy accessibility. Here, you can appreciate the grandeur of the wall while enjoying stunning views of the surrounding landscapes.

For those seeking a more adventurous experience, the Jinshanling section is highly recommended. This section is renowned for its rugged and picturesque terrain, with steep inclines and breathtaking vistas. Walking along the Jinshanling section will give you a sense of the challenges faced by the soldiers who once defended this formidable structure.

To fully immerse yourself in the history and culture of the Great Wall, consider visiting the Mutianyu section. This section offers a perfect blend of well-preserved architecture and natural beauty. As you traverse its winding pathways, you will encounter watchtowers, ancient stone steps, and verdant forests, providing an unforgettable experience.

Local name: 长城 Elevation: 1119 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 40°25'52"N, 116°33'0"E

Location

BeijingChina

ContactAdd

Social media

Add

Great Wall of China Top Attractions

Great Wall of China Attractions - What to See and Explore

Great Wall of China offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Jiayu Pass, Yumen Pass, Dajingmen, Hushan Great Wall. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Area
Jiayu Pass
Jiayu Pass or is the first frontier fortress at the west end of the Ming dynasty Great Wall, near the city of Jiayuguan in Gansu province. Along with Juyong Pass and Shanhai Pass, it is one of the main passes of the Great Wall.
Area
Yumen Pass
Yumen Pass, or Jade Gate or Pass of the Jade Gate, is the name of a pass of the Great Wall located west of Dunhuang in today's Gansu Province of China. During the Han dynasty, this was a pass through which the Silk Road passed, and was the one road connecting Central Asia with East Asia, the former called the Western Regions.
Area
Dajingmen
Dajingmen, also known as Dajing Gate, is an important junction of the Great Wall of China in the prefecture-level city of Zhangjiakou within the Chinese province of Hebei. Dajingmen was built in 1644 in the first year of the reign of the Shunzhi Emperor in the Qing Dynasty The gate is 12 metres high, 9 metres wide, and 13 metres deep.

Area
Hushan Great Wall
The Hushan or Tiger Mountain Great Wall, is a section of the Ming Great Wall in Kuandian Manchu Autonomous County, Liaoning, China. The wall runs for about 1,200 metres over Hushan. The wall starts 15 km northeast of Dandong city, directly beside the China–North Korea border.
Area
Huangya Pass
Huangyaguan or Huangya Pass is a small section of the Great Wall of China located in the north of Jizhou District, Tianjin municipality, approximately 78 miles north of urban Tianjin city. The site lies on a steep and abrupt mountain ridge.
Area
Great Wall of Qi
The Great Wall of Qi is the oldest existing Great Wall in China. Construction of the wall started in 441 BC by the state of Qi, to defend itself against attacks from the states of Jin and Yue. Construction ended during the Warring States period and became Qi's defense against enemies states like Ju, Lu, and Chu.
Area
Yanmen Pass
Yanmen Pass, also known by its Chinese name Yanmenguan and as Xixingguan, is a mountain pass which includes three fortified gatehouses along the Great Wall of China. The area was a strategic choke point in ancient and medieval China, controlling access between the valleys of central Shanxi and the Eurasian Steppe.
Area
Jumenbu
Jumenbu, is a fortress of the Ming Great Wall Shanxi Section, located in Datong city in Shanxi province, China. Jumenbu is a fortress for guarding the Great Wall of China, and it is a part of the Great Wall defence system.
Museum • Area
Yang Pass
Yangguan, or Yangguan Pass, is a mountain pass that was fortified by Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty around 120 BC and used as an outpost in the colonial dominions adjacent to ancient China.
Area
Shanhai Pass
Shanhai Pass or Shanhaiguan is one of the major passes in the Great Wall of China, being the easternmost stronghold along the Ming Great Wall, and commands the narrowest choke point in the Liaoxi Corridor.
Area
Niangzi Pass
Niangzi Pass, also called the Ladies' Pass, is a mountain pass west of Shijiazhuang, capital of Hebei Province in North China.
Area
Pingxing Pass
Pingxing Pass is a mountain pass in the Shanxi Province of China. There is a section of the Great Wall of China there. The Battle of Pingxingguan was fought here between the National Revolutionary Army's 8th Route Army of the Republic of China and the Imperial Japanese Army on September 25, 1937.

Day trips

Great Wall of China – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Great Wall of China, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Forbidden City (Beijing), Summer Palace (Beijing), National Museum of China (Beijing).

37 milesS
, Museum, Art museum
Forbidden City, Beijing
The Forbidden City, a monumental symbol of China's rich history, stands at the heart of Beijing as one of the most prestigious museums in the world. This sprawling palace complex, once the imperial seat for Ming and Qing dynasty emperors, spans approximately 180 acres...
34 milesSW
Iconic lakeside retreat for royalty
Summer Palace, Beijing
The Summer Palace, an exquisite landmark nestled in the city of Beijing, stands as a pinnacle of Chinese horticultural and architectural traditions. This sprawling royal retreat spans over 2.9 square kilometers, three-quarters of which is covered by water, primarily...
37 milesS
Giant museum of Chinese cultural relics
National Museum of China, Beijing
The National Museum of China, located in the heart of Beijing, is a prestigious institution that serves as a cultural repository for Chinese history and art. This monumental museum, which is situated on the eastern side of Tiananmen Square, stands as a testament...
37 milesS
Immense, famed plaza and cultural site
Tiananmen Square, Beijing
Tiananmen Square, at the heart of Beijing, China, is one of the largest public squares in the world. Spanning an enormous 440,000 square meters, it can hold over one million people. This vast expanse of open space is not only a social and cultural gathering place but...
37 milesS
Street, Shopping district, Shopping
Wangfujing, Beijing
Wangfujing is Beijing's most famous shopping district, renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and a wide array of retail options. This bustling pedestrian street is located in the Dongcheng District and has been a commercial hub since the middle of the Ming Dynasty.