Stretching more than 20,000 kilometres across the country, The Great Wall of China is one of the most impressive architectural feats in the world. And no trip to China is complete without seeing it.

But with it being so big, where should you even begin?

Most commonly accessed from Beijing, you can, technically, visit parts of the Great Wall from quite a few places across the country. The area around the capital and other touristy areas, though, have been preserved and maintained to give you the best understanding of what the wall was like when it was built hundreds of years ago.

Location: 75kms (1.5 hours) from Beijing
Entry fee: CN¥200

Within easy reach to the north of central Beijing, Mutianyu is one of the most accessible spots to see the Great Wall. Here, you can walk along a well-maintained portion of the wall surrounded by lush green forest. During the autumn months, you can see a rainbow of colours as the leaves turn bright red and yellow, while in the spring you can see the cotton-coloured buds of cherry blossoms blooming.

Making things a bit fun, you can take the chairlift up (or down) and opt for a breezy toboggan ride back down to the car park.

Short on time and looking for a quick way to see the Great Wall? Book a layover tour that will even pick you up and drop you off at the airport.

Location: 152kms (2 hours) from Beijing
Entry fee: CN¥65

A 10.5-long section of the wall that’s quieter than Mutianyu, and cheaper to visit, Jinshanlang does take longer to get to from the city. But the 2-hour drive may just be worth it for less crowds.

If you’re into hiking, this may be the spot for you as there’s a nice long path for you to take along the semi-resorted section of the wall.

Location: 144kms (2 hours) from Beijing
Entry fee: CN¥40

Whether you want to watch the sunset or the sparkling lights ot the city in the distance, the less-crowded Simatai section is for you. Found 2-hours northeast of Beijing, the Simatai Great Wall is one of the few ways to see the UNESCO World Heritage site at night.

Tours here often include a visit to the Gubei Water Town, too, letting you visit the quaint town with canals and the iconic Great Wall in one day.

Location: 76kms (1.5 hours) from Beijing
Entry fee: CN¥40

While this is the most-visited section of the wall, it’s also reachable via public transport. This well-preserved section has also just started offering night tours in 2025. From 30 April to 7 October, you can access the Badaling section at night. Complete with light shows and even parties, it’s definitely a unique way to experience China’s most iconic attraction.

If you’re looking to tick a few sights off your list in one day, tours are available here that also stop at Ming Tombs.

The Great Wall of China has a long history, starting from its initial construction in the 7th century BC by various ancient Chinese states to its grand unification under the Qin Dynasty in the 3rd century BC.

After the fall of the Qin Dynasty, construction and expansion of the wall continued during the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD). During this time, the wall was extended to protect the Silk Road and strengthen defenses against attacks by other nomadic tribes.

During the Three Kingdoms period (220-280 AD), the construction of the wall declined due to civil war and territorial divisions.

The Great Wall as we know it today was largely built or reconstructed during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 CE). During this time, the threat from the Mongols became significant, so the wall was reinforced with bricks and large stones, and watchtowers and fortifications were added.

This section of the wall stretches over 8,000 kilometers and is in better physical condition than previous sections.

In addition to its military defense, the Great Wall also served as a communication route. Soldiers stationed along the wall used smoke, fire, and sound signals to send messages quickly. The structure of the wall was designed to withstand major attacks and allow for rapid troop movement along its crest.

After the fall of the Ming Dynasty and during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), construction of the wall was discontinued and the wall declined in military function. Parts of the wall began to deteriorate due to erosion and neglect.

However, in the 20th and 21st centuries, conservation and restoration efforts began to be undertaken to preserve this cultural heritage.

In addition to its military defense, the Great Wall also served as a communication route. Soldiers stationed along the wall used smoke, fire, and sound signals to send messages quickly. The structure of the wall was designed to withstand major attacks and allow for rapid troop movement along its crest.

Today, the Great Wall of China is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. Restored sections, such as Badaling and Mutianyu, receive millions of visitors each year.

Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect the remaining structures from further damage.

The Great Wall of China stretches across the northern part of China, passing through various provinces, cities, and diverse terrain. The Great Wall of China passes through many major provinces and cities, including Hebei, Beijing, Tianjin, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Ningxia, and Gansu.

Here are some dos and don'ts to keep in mind when visiting the Great Wall of China:

A trip to the Great Wall of China can be a truly memorable experience if you plan it well. Here are some tips that can help you enjoy your visit to one of the wonders of the world:

Before you go, we make it easy by letting you pre-book entrance tickets and tours to the Great Wall of China near Beijing. There are various promos, discounts, and the best prices for a vacation to the Great Wall of China. You can also book flight tickets, hotels, and other attraction tickets only at Traveloka .

The Great Wall of China is 21,196 kilometres long. According to UNESCO, it begins in Jiayuguan in Gansu province in the west and ends in Shanhaiguan in Hebei province in the east.

The wall was built as a fortification and defence mechanism to avoid any invasions from the north.

Constructions were said to have started around 220 B.C. and continued as late as 1644.

Can you see the Great Wall of China from space?

Although it's a massive structure, it is relatively narrow making it difficult (if not impossible) to see from outer space.

Being so large, there's plenty of cities along it's 20,000+ span, but generally Beijing is the closest major city for tourists to access the wall. There's multiple points within a few hours of the capital where it's been restored and you can safely walk along it.