Visiting the Great Wall from Beijing is an extraordinary experience.
In just a few hours, you can reach some of the most spectacular and best-preserved sections of this immense structure.
Each section has its own character, and choosing which one to visit means deciding which face of this monumental wonder you want to discover.
The most famous site is Badaling, about seventy kilometers from Beijing.
It’s the most restored and accessible section, equipped with cable cars and paved paths—perfect for those who want to admire the Wall’s grandeur without much effort.
Here, the full scale of the structure is most striking: the ramparts climb over the mountains like a gigantic stone dragon.
Quieter and surrounded by lush forest is Mutianyu, with its elegant watchtowers and scenic views.
Beloved by families and photographers, it offers breathtaking landscapes year-round, from the deep greens of summer to the red and gold hues of autumn.
Southwest of Beijing lies Juyongguan, a historic mountain pass that once served as the gateway to the capital.
This fortified corridor still preserves ancient temples and inscriptions celebrating the might of the Empire, highlighting the site’s strategic importance.
Further away, yet still reachable on a day trip, are Jinshanling and Simatai—favorites among hikers.
These stretches are more authentic and less restored, winding along steep ridges with stunning panoramas.
A cable car allows visitors to quickly reach higher viewpoints to admire this ancient feat of engineering from above.
Visiting the Great Wall from Beijing is not just a sightseeing excursion—it’s a journey through time and Chinese culture, a way to understand how human ingenuity transformed stone and mountain into a symbol of eternity.
Curiosity: On the eastern side of the Simatai section lies an especially steep segment known as the “Heavenly Ladder,” where the slope reaches up to 80 degrees and the steps are unusually high.
According to an old local legend, the climb was so difficult that “only dragons” could ascend it without stopping.
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