Plan your Great Wall Tour? Needless to say, you must visit the Great Wall of China on your first trip to Beijing China. So, what, when, where and how?
The Great Wall of China was built mainly during the three dynasties – Qin Dynasty (221 B.C to 206 B.C), Han Dynasty (206 B.C.–220 A.D ) and Ming Dynasty (1368 A.D - 1644 A.D). The most powerful Yuan Dynasty and the last Dynasty – Qing Dynasty did nothing about the building of the Wall since they were “barbarians” against whom the Wall of China was supposed to have been built.
Actually the history tells us the Wall played no role in preventing the “barbarians”. Never did the Wall stop any invations, large or small. But the Wall did do many things: it proclaimed the frontier, it employed the thousands, it prevented defections, it displayed the mighty of the emperor.
The Wall is not an “it” as you think. It is a “them”, walls in the plural, and they do not form a continuous line. They are in bits built in different dynasties. Those “bits” of the Wall are scattered around the northern China stretching from Shanhaiguan in the east to Jiayuguan in the west, snaking along the southern edge of Inner Mongolia.
Beijing is a good place to visit the “bits” of the Wall built in Ming Dynasty. Most of the “bits” of the Wall here are tamed and reconstructed for the safety of travelers. So the tamed sections give way to wild ones – crumbling, overgrown and barred to walkers.
Here are some tips for your visiting the Great Wall of China around Beijing:
Tip # 01: The best time to hike the Great Wall of China
In Beijing, all the sections of the Wall are open to tourists all year round. The ideal months for the Great Wall hike fall on spring, early summer, autumn – later March, April, May, June, September, October and early November.
If you happen to visit the Wall in summer – later June, July and August, be prepared for heat stroke prevention – sunglasses, sun cream, sun block, hat, water.
Winter Great Wall Hike is a bit challenging mainly due to the frozen weather in later December, January and early early February each year in Beijing. You are advised to dress warmly – winter hat with ear flap, ear warmers, gloves, scarf, warm jackets and ther winter accessories.
The Great Wall hike is impossible only because the road access to sections is blocked due to the heavy snow. If you plan to do the hike in winter, we do suggest you check the weather report.
Mutianyu Great Wall in Autumn
Tip # 02: Avoid weekends or public holidays for the Wall
It is better to hike the Wall during the weekdays instead of weekends. Strongly advise you not to visit the Wall during China public holidays.
On these special days you will waste much of your valuable time on the way from your hotel to the Wall. On the Wall, you have to take group photos since there are a great number of people on the Wall.
Huge Crowds of People on the Wall during Chinses Public Holiday
Tip # 03: Select the right bit of the Wall (Great Wall Guide)
There are approxi 8 bits of the Wall around Beijing. 7 of the 8 bits of the Wall are legally open to tourists home and abroad. “legally open” means these sections of the Wall are tamed, repaired and controlled by a local Great Wall administration bureau.
Within its administration, the entrance fees are collected, a police station is set up and security guides are dotted along Wall. These “legal” sections of the Wall are Juyongguan, Badaling, Mutianyu, Jinshanling, Gubeikou, Huanghuacheng ( certain sections opened) and Simatai (temporarily closed ). Jiankou is not open to tourists due to their wildness and treacherousness. Below are the tips for choosing the right bit of the Wall you most like:
1) If you don’t have much time, but you still want to have a glimpse of the Wall, especially on a busy day, choose Juyongguan Great Wall.
2) If you want to see the most popular and gorgeous section of the Wall in Beijing, go to Badaling Great Wall.
3) If you want to visit the Wall with beautiful green scenery and environment ( travel with kids ), visit Mutianyu Great Wall.
4) If you want to hike the wild and original bits of the Wall, go to visit Shixiagan Great Wall, Jinshanling Great Wall, Gubeikou Great Wall, Huanghuacheng Great Wall and Simatai Great Wall (temporarily closed ) or put them together.
5) Jiankou Great Wall is forbidden to hike according to the official rule and regulations concerned.
The wild and orignal section of Gubeikou Great Wall
Tip # 04: Choose the right Great Wall transportation
Badaling Bus No.877 （Bus Fare: RMB 12）
Deshengmen (德胜门）- Badaling (八达岭）
Operating Hours：
06:00-12:00(Apr.1-Oct.31)
06:00-12:30 (Nov.1-Mar.31)
Return:
Badaling (八达岭）- Deshengmen (德胜门）
10:30-17:00(Apr.1-Oct.31)
11:00-16:30(Nov.1-Mar.31)
Deshengmen (德胜门）- Badaling (八达岭）
Operating Hours：
06:00-12:00(Apr.1-Oct.31)
06:00-12:30 (Nov.1-Mar.31)
Return:
Badaling (八达岭）- Deshengmen (德胜门）
10:30-17:00(Apr.1-Oct.31)
11:00-16:30(Nov.1-Mar.31)
Take the S Train from Beijing North Railway Station to Badaling
Take the S Train from Beijing North Railway Station to Badaling
Bus No. 916 Express (916快）To：
Mutianyu Great Wall 慕田峪长城
Important Notice: The final destination of the Bus 916 Express is actually Huairou Beidajie (怀柔北大街）in Huairou District, then you have to change for the local bus No.936 (Huairou – Dongtai 怀柔至洞台), continue to take the bus 936 (936路支线) for another 18.6km, pass 8 stops and get off at Mutianyu Great Wall finally.
Mutianyu Great Wall 慕田峪长城
Important Notice: The final destination of the Bus 916 Express is actually Huairou Beidajie (怀柔北大街）in Huairou District, then you have to change for the local bus No.936 (Huairou – Dongtai 怀柔至洞台), continue to take the bus 936 (936路支线) for another 18.6km, pass 8 stops and get off at Mutianyu Great Wall finally.
Bus 916 Express (916快）Fare: RMB 12
Bus 936 (936路支线) Fare: RMB 8
Bus Operation Time: 6:00-17:00 ( every 20 minutes )
Bus No. 980 Express (980快) To:
Destination: Jinshanling Great Wall 金山岭长城.
Very Important Notice: Actually the Bus 980 Express stops at Miyun County ( 密云汽车站 ), and then you take a mini bus from the downtown Miyun to Jinshanling.
Bus Fare: RMB 15
Minibus Fare: about RMB 50 ( you have to share a mini-bus for Jinshanling Great Wall)
Destination: Jinshanling Great Wall 金山岭长城.
Very Important Notice: Actually the Bus 980 Express stops at Miyun County ( 密云汽车站 ), and then you take a mini bus from the downtown Miyun to Jinshanling.
Bus Fare: RMB 15
Minibus Fare: about RMB 50 ( you have to share a mini-bus for Jinshanling Great Wall)
Take a taxi to the Great Wall
You can also charter a taxi for day trips to the Great Wall. The drive ranges from 1.5 hour to 2.5 hours from the city center according to the different sections of the Great Wall. Below are the approximate taxi fares to the different sections of the Great Wall with waiting for about 2-3 hours while touring the wall:
You can also charter a taxi for day trips to the Great Wall. The drive ranges from 1.5 hour to 2.5 hours from the city center according to the different sections of the Great Wall. Below are the approximate taxi fares to the different sections of the Great Wall with waiting for about 2-3 hours while touring the wall:
Beijing Mutianyu Great Wall: 85km – RMB 600
Beijing Badaling Great Wall: 80km – RMB 500
Beijing Simatai Great Wall: 140km – RMB 700
Beijing Juyongguan Great Wall: 60km – RMB 400
Beijing Jinshanling Great Wall: 160km RMB 800
Beijing Gubeikou Great Wall: 150km – RMB 750
Beijing Jiankou Great Wall: 85km – RMB 650
Beijing Huanghuacheng Great Wall 85km – RMB 600
Tip # 05: Book a Great Wall Bus Tour
You can easily book Great Wall Bus Tour (daily group tours) through your hotel or local tour operators. Each morning, you will be picked you up from your midtown hotel, then you will go to visit the the Wall together with other tourists. Groups are kept to about 10 passengers in a comfortable modern 22-seat coach with professional Beijing chauffeurs and English speaking tour guide.
Note: There are two pre-arranged shoping stops on the bus tours.
Tip # 06 Stay near the Wall
If you want to stay one night or more near the Wall, below are some of the inns and hotels for your consideration:
Tip # 07 Tips for Wheelchair users (Beijing Disability Travel)
Badaling Great Wall is wheelchair-friendly, the only accessible section of the Wall around Beijing. A special flat lane is built for wheelchair users to get to the third watch tower of the Great Wall. Even two elevators are equipped for easy ascending the wall if you book the elevator service in advance.
TheWheelchair-user friendly Wall
Any questions, just drop a line.
Hi,
I am planning to visit Great wall in December 23 or 24-2012. I will be travelling with kids (8 years and 11 years). Is it a real risky to visit Great wall in the end of December??
Razak
Hello MUHAMMAD RAZAK,
It is not necessarily risky. As you know the Great Wall is open all year round. But you have to take precausion if you hike the wall after snowning or in a big northwest wind. It could be very cold on the wall. So please wear warmly!
hi there. how do i go to badaling great wall from hotel forbidden city? and how do we get to train station to go to badaling? or deshengmen bus station?
2. after greatwall, i would like to go skiing. which is the best place for beginnners?
3. and after ski, how do we ride home to our hotel?
much thanx in advance
1. For the train station to go to badaling, please visit the link: http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/how-to-visit-great-wall-by-train-visit-badaling-great-wall-by-train/
2. For the bus to Badaling, please check the link: http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/travel-review/badaling-great-wall-bus/
3. There is a ski resort (Badaling Ski Resort) not far from the Badaling Great Wall which has the trail for beginners. You may take a local taxi between the ski and badaling, then take train or bus back to downtown Beijing from Badaling Great Wall.
HI
How do we go from the airport to Badaling spa resort where we will stay?
Hello Kim,
Badaling spa resort? I think its official name is Beijing Jinyu Badaling Spa Resort.
Official name: Beijing Jinyu Badaling Spa Resort ( Chinese: 北京金隅八达岭温泉度假村 )
Add： Guishui North Street, Yanqing County, Beijing (Chinese: 北京市延庆县妫水北街1号)。
Tel: 010-69148833
How to get from the airport to Beijing Jinyu Badaling Spa Resor? Please read below:
First take the airport express to its final station at Dongzhimen (东直门), then interchange for the loop-type Subway line 2 and get off at the station of Jishuitan (积水潭), exit from the Exit A. Then walk along the sideway in the east direction for about 450 meters, soon you will see a high tower – the Deshengmen Arrow Tower (德胜门城楼). Deshengmen Bus Station is just below the northern side of the tower. The compound of Deshengmen Arrow Tower is within a roundabout. So you have to cross a road to reach the bus station. You have to be careful crossing the road since the road has no traffic light at the time of my writing.
By the way, on your 450-meter walk from the subway station of Jishuitan (积水潭), to the Deshengmen Arrow Tower (德胜门城楼), you will pass alongside the Deshengmenxi Bus Station (different from Deshengmen Bus Station) and you just ignore it! You will be also distracted by some privately owned buses or mini-buses operated in the name of official Badaling-bound buses. We strongly suggest you take the official buses within the Deshengmen Bus Station for safety and reasonable price.
When you reach Deshegmen Bus Station ( just below the northern side of the tower), first take the Bus 919 Express (919直达快车) for Yanqing (延庆), get off at Dongguan Yanqing （延庆东关）， then change for Bus 920 (920公交支线) and get off at the last stop.
hi
i am planning to visit the great wall, i heard of something called tourist bus stop where i can take a bus from there that would take me to the great wall ? is that right ? and if so , how can i get to the nearest one , i live near by chaoyang park in chaoyang distirct .
or you recommend other tools ? like the bus or train you mentioned in other answers ?
another question
how long it will take walking on the badaling section ? and is there anything intersting to visit afterwards around the area ?
thanks alot in advance dear
Hello, i’m travelling with my family at dec 26th to great wall with tour, i guess they’ll do all the transportations and everything, but i want to know what are the things i should wear layer by layers from long johns perhaps? i’ve never been there and had troubles packing! thanks!
Hello Jacqueline,
Winter Great Wall Hike is a bit challenging mainly due to the frozen weather in later December. You are advised to dress warmly – winter hat with ear flap, ear warmers, gloves, scarf, warm jackets and ther winter accessories. Long johns are needed to keep you warm. Normally warm jackets and hats with ear flaps are also available on the stalls below the Great Wall. Have a nice trip to Beijing!
Beijing has very good heating system and you will feel quite warm indoor.
Hello Hadee,
You can either take a public bus or S train to go to Badaling Great Wall. Please see the two links below for more information:
1. S Train: http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/how-to-visit-great-wall-by-train-visit-badaling-great-wall-by-train/
2. Bus 877: http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/travel-review/badaling-great-wall-bus/
Winter Great Wall Hike is a bit challenging mainly due to the frozen weather in later December. Please wear wamrly and it is hard to keep long on the Wall especially in a blustery day. Normally 2-3 hours on the wall. To save time and energy, you take cable car up and down.
Afterwards, if you are interested in skiing, you may take a local taxi to Badaling Ski Resort http://www.tour-beijing.com/ski/beijing_badaling_ski_resort.php (5km away) and be sure to take a shuttle bus or local bus back to Beijing city center.
Traveling to Beijing February 20th 2013. What are conditions at Great Wall during this time. What shoes and attire are recommended?
Hello Sandra W,
The Beijing Weather in February is still very cold. Especially on a blustery day, the feeling temperature will be much lower. You should wear winter jacket, gloves, winter hat with ear flap. Wear comfortable shoes for walking on the wall.
hi whats the weather in beijing this january? im planning to go to great wall. is it possible to hike or is it covered with snow?
thanks
Hello Sheryl Bernardo,
As for the weather in January, please check the link: http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/beijing-in-january/
You will learn the historical record above of the January’s weather in Beijing for the past 50 years.
Most of the sections of the Great Wall around Beijing are open all year around except extreme weather like heavy snow when it is very difficult for you to reach the site of the Great Wall.
Now it is all right for you to hike the Great Wall around Beijing and no heavy snow in the near future. Have a great time in Beijing.
hi plan to go to the great wall in february 2013 i want to know what will the entrance fees be and which wall in recommended for university students who want adventure also how to get to the wall eg bus routes etc. thanks you for your time
Hello Sue,
The entrance to the Great wall around Beijing cost you about RMB45. You may hike Jinshanling Great Wall. See http://www.tour-beijing.com/public_bus/ for how to get there by bus.
I will be visiting the great wall together with a group of 20 persons on FEb 16th 2013, pleas advise what footwear should be worn??
Hello valerie P,
Just wear comfortable shoes! sports shoes, no high-heeled shoes. Have a nice trip!
My husband and I are both in our mid 70′s. We use walkers to sight see. I understand the walking at the great wall is extensive (no hicking) will be done) Do you have electric scooters or wheelchairs available to reserve and rent? We want to be able to see as much as we can.
We will be coming in with the Viking cruise tour as a part of our trip. They did not know the answer to this question and told us to get in touch with you.
As above we really would love for you to send the information either my email or mail and let us know how we can reserve this most helpful item of our trip.
We will be traveling the end of April.
Mrs George Feldman
Hello Roberta Feldman,
Thanks for your enquiry! One of our staffers will contact you for the detailes. Have a good day!
I appreciate browsing your websites. Thank you!
I want to visit China, Beijing in December, and I want to visit the Great wall. What sort of clothing do I need during this time. Also is it safe for children to visit the Great wall. Please let me know. Thanks you Rita
Hello Rita Jebaseelan,
Winter Great Wall Hike is a bit challenging mainly due to the frozen weather in later December, January and early early February each year in Beijing. You are advised to dress warmly – winter hat with ear flap, ear warmers, gloves, scarf, warm jackets and ther winter accessories.
As for the Beijing’s temperature in December, please check http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/beijing-weather/beijing-in-december/ .
Personally, I suggest you and your children choose Mutianyu Great Wall, which is less crowded and comparatively comftable and safe for walking on the Wall.
Hi!
Me and my son will visit Yiwu city in the month of March2013 and like to see Great wall of China can it be posiible for us to visit there in one day and can return back to Yiwu on the same day, pls advise how to go there By road/train/air and distance from Yiwu.
Looking forward to hear from you soon.
Regards,
Rakesh Rajpal
Hello Rakesh Rajpal,
There is little possibility of having one day trip from Yiwu to Beijing. Basically, you should first either go to Hangzhou or Shanghai, then either take flight or highspeed trains for Beijing (Great Wall). Beijing is about 1800km from Yiwu.
Hi there…
We’ll be visiting the Wall in the middle of July. Weather-wise we’re fine – we’re prepared. What I would like to know is what time would be ideal to avoid most of the crowds. We usually head to tourist-heavy places extremely early in the morning (and we have a private driver) – is that possible at the Wall? Is there an “opening time” we should aim for? Also, what time do the doors close? Finally, are there any restrictions concerning photography?
Thank you
Hello Marios Forsos,
To avoid most of the crowds，it is advisable to get up early to beat otherw on the wall and also avoid to visit the Wall on weekends. For most the sections of the Great Wall, the opening time is between 8:00 and 18:00.
One exception, Jinshanling Great Wall is available for 24 hours. As far as I know, threre is are no restrictions concerning photography.
Hi,
Please advise how do i go to mutianyu great wall from Citytel inn beijing. what is the route i should take when i am at mutianyu. i would prefer to take cable up and slide down. thanks
Hello Liau,
Take Bus No. 916 Express (916快）Mutianyu Great Wall 慕田峪长城
Where is the Bus 916?
You should go to Dongzhimen Public Transport Hub (东直门交通枢纽）to take the bus 916.
How to get to Dongzhimen Public Transport Hub (东直门交通枢纽）?Take subway Line 2, get off at the stop of Dongzhimen (东直门) and enter Dongzhimen Public Transport Hub through a connected channel from Dongzhimen Subway Station to Dongzhimen Public Transport Hub. For more information on Dongzhimen Public Transport Hub, please check the link: http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/dongzhimen-public-transport-hub/
Important Notice: The final destination of the Bus 916 Express is actually Huairou Huairou Beidajie (怀柔北大街 Huairou North Street）in Huairou District ( about 70km north of Beijing city cneter), then you have to change for the local bus No.936 (Huairou – Dongtai 怀柔至洞台), continue to take the bus 936 (936路支线) for another 18.6km, pass 8 stops and get off at Mutianyu Great Wall finally.
Bus 916 Express (916快）Fare: RMB 12
Bus 936 (936路支线) Fare: RMB 8
Bus Operation Time: 6:00-17:00 ( every 20 minutes )
For how to
Hello Liau,
Again, just a follow-up.
There are 20 towers on the Mutianyu Great Wall snaking the ridge for about 3000 meters. The watch towers at the Mutianyu Great Wall are distributed at short intervals. The 20 watch towers are numbered from right to left, or from east to west. The 20th tower is highest point of the Mutianyu Great Wall. In any Great Wall hike, it is good for your legs to hike up than to hike down. So we suggest you hike the Mutianyu Great Wall from the left to the right – from the east to the west. You have three ways of getting to the Great Wall:
1) Walking up the Great Wall along the stone steps (like a mountain hike – 40 minute hike ) – to the 10th Watch Tower
2) Taking a cable car up to the Great Wall -to the 14th Watch Tower
3) Taking a chairlift to the Great Wall – to the 6th Watch Tower
So you may walk up to the 10th Watch Tower and walk to the 14th Watch Tower, then take a cable car there to the ground; or hike to the 6th Watch Tower, then take a chairlife or speed slide down.
Or You may take a cable car up to the 14th Watch Tower and walk to the 10th Watch Tower, then walk down the mountain, or go on with your hike to the 6th Watch Tower, then take a chairlife or speed slide down to the ground.
Or you can take a chairlift up to the 6th Watch Tower, walk to the
Hello!
We’re visiting Beijing and Shanghai on March 23-29. How’s the weather like at this time? Do we need to bring winter jackets or light jackets will do? Is Juyongguan side of the Great Wall good enough for first time visitors like us?
Thanks!
Jing,
The late March in Shanghai will see a relatively warmer weather than here in Beijing. It is still a bit chilly in late March in Beijing and a warmer Beijing normally comes in early April. So light jackets are still necessary, especially in Beijing, a city with possible sand storms in late March.
Juyongguan section of the Great Wall has its own unique features with less commerial and few tourists compared with Badaling. It is not a bad idea to hike this section of the Wall for first-time visitors. Have a nice trip to Beijing!
How can i go to great wall from the hotel… Crowne Plaza Beijing Sun Palace Hotel
Address : Yunnan Dasha NorthEast cor. Taiyonggong Bridge, Xibahe NorthEast 3rd Ring Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100028, People’s Republic of China
How far is it? Normally how much would it cost if i take package tour?
I would also love to visit the forbidden city…
Hello Lei,
1. You may take the subway 13 from the nearest station of Shaoyajun （芍药居），and interchange at Dongzhimen Station (东直门) for Subway line 2.
So you are on Subway Line 2, you can get to Bus 877 for Badaling Great Wall and also S Trains for Badaling Great Wall.
Badaling Great Wall Bus 877: http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/travel-review/badaling-great-wall-bus/
Badaling Great Wall S Trains: http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/how-to-visit-great-wall-by-train-visit-badaling-great-wall-by-train/
2. You may pay US$ 20 to join in a local bus tour to visit Badaling Great Wall ( with English speaking tour guide): http://www.tour-beijing.com/coach_tours/badaling_great_wall_and_ming_tombs_tour.php
3. Beijing City Bus Tour (Forbidden City): http://www.tour-beijing.com/coach_tours/forbidden_city_templ_of_heaven_summer_palace_bus_tour.php
Dear Sir,
We planing to visit the Great Wall, we have three destination from Sri Lanka that our natoinal carrier operates ,namely.. Beijing , Shanghai , and Gaungzhou…, pls let us know that which is the nearest destination to visit the Great Wall..! Thank you very much.
Hello Fernando ,
Beijing is the nearest destination to visit the Great Wall of China.
We planing to visit beijing on 10th april 2013 n offcourse we’ll visit great wall to. We would like to ask about the security we mean is there any pick pocket or such think. What we have to do to secure from those crime, but we hope beijing is the safe city, please inform us what we have to do to secure ourself……. Thank you
Regard
Ririk… Indonesia
Hello Ririk,
Beijing is basically a safe city, but it doesn’t mean you should lower your vigilance on possible travel scams in Beijing. Please see the top 10 scams in Beijing to protect yourself:
http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/china-travel/tourist-traps-in-china/top-10-tourist-scams-beijing/
Have a good time in Beijing!
We will be visiting the great wall in May. Could you recommend some places to stay during our visit, the best part of the wall and what the weather is generally like mid May?
Hello Karrie,
May is one of the best months to visit the Great Wall of China.
1. For where to stay in the city of Beijing, please check the page of http://www.tour-beijing.com/hotel/where_to_stay_in_beijing.php
2. For where to stay near the Great Wall around Beijing, please check the following pages:
Juyongguan Great Wall Hotel:
http://www.tour-beijing.com/travel_blog/great_wall_hiking/juyongguan_great_wall_hotel.php
the Cummune by the Great Wall:
http://www.tour-beijing.com/great_wall/the_commune_by_the_great-wall.php
Great Wall Courtyard Inn:
http://www.tour-beijing.com/great_wall/2_day_great_wall_hiking/courtyard_inn.php
Huanghuacheng Fuwang Courtyard Farmhouse:
http://www.tour-beijing.com/travel_blog/great_wall_hiking/fuwang_farmhouse_at_huanghuacheng_great_wall.php
the Schoolhouse by the Mutianyu Great Wall:
http://www.tour-beijing.com/great_wall/schoolhouse_by_mutianyu_great_wall.php
Jinshanling Hotel:
http://www.tour-beijing.com/travel_blog/great_wall_hiking/jinshanling_hotel.php
the Chateau Changyu AFIP Global Beijing
http://www.tour-beijing.com/great_wall/chateau_changyu_afiP_global_beijing.php
3. Which section of the Great Wall?
1) Traveling with kids or family member for leisure holiday, choose Mutianyu Great Wall
2) Want to hike an original Great Wall, go to Jinshanling Great Wall
4. As for the weather in May, please check the page of
http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/beijing-tour-reviews/beijing-in-may-beijing-weather-in-may/
Sir, We already booked for vacation on beijing this coming Nov. 19 to 24, 2013. We plan to run in Great wall of china just for fun. Since this time is winter, what do you think and what would you advise to us? Thank you.
Hello Cacayan
You are advised to visit the Mutianyu Great Wall in late November. It is cold and blustery on the Wall. It is better to wear warmly – a fur cap with earflaps, gloves, scarf, warm jackets and ther winter accessories.
Continuing
Which wall i should attempt? I think I should visit Juyongguan Great Wall or Mutianyu Great Wall as evident from your blog. Please suggest.
How much it should cost if i reserve a taxi for the whole journey?
Hello Ana，
Yes， it is advisable to visit Mutianyu Great Wall on your first trip to Beijing. You have several ways to go to Mutianyu below:
1. Taxi: around RMB 600 ( maybe you have to bargain with the taxi driver)
2. Public bus to Mutianyu
Take Bus No. 916 Express (916快）To Mutianyu Great Wall 慕田峪长城 (change bus at Huairou District)
see the page: http://www.tour-beijing.com/public_bus/#dpth
3. Hire a private car to Mutianyu Great Wall
See the page: http://www.tour-beijing.com/car_rental/
4. Local bus tour to Mutianyu Great wall
See the page： http://www.tour-beijing.com/coach_tours/
Note： the bus tour has two prearranged shopping stops
Hi I’m staying at the Ibis Hotel in Chauyan, how do I get to the great wall?
Thanking you in advance.
Hello Vernon Mudau,
We couldn’t locate your hotel – Ibis Hotel in Chauyan. Maybe you have misspelled your hotel name. Is it Hotel ibis Beijing Sanyuan? If yes, you may go to Badaling Great Wall by bus or S Train.
Take the airport express train from Sanyuan Station to Dongzhimen, then interchange for Subway Line 2 ( connect either bus station or Beijing North Railway Station ):
If you’d like to take Bus 877 for Badaling, please check the page below:
http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/travel-review/badaling-great-wall-bus/
If you’d like to take S Train, please check the page below:
http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/how-to-visit-great-wall-by-train-visit-badaling-great-wall-by-train/
The above is just for your reference.