The Great Wall of China is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is a symbol of China’s millennia-old history and winds its way through mountains, valleys and deserts. Its numerous sections were once built to protect the empire from invaders. Even today, the Great Wall of China is one of the most famous sights in the world and attracts millions of visitors every year. So it’s no wonder that the most popular sections are often crowded. But imagine if you could experience the Great Wall of China all to yourself, without getting up for sunrise…
In this post, I’ll tell you my absolute insider tip how to discover the Great Wall of China in the most unforgettable way. Experiencing this monument without the tourist crowds is an overwhelming feeling that cannot be put into words.
Why was the Great Wall of China built?
Construction of the Great Wall of China originally began to protect the empire from attacks and raids by nomadic peoples from the north, especially the Mongols. The first sections were built as early as the 7th century BC. Under Emperor Qin Shi Huang, in the 3rd century BC, construction became more and more standardized. However, the Great Wall of China did not only have a military function. It also served to control trade routes such as the Silk Road, for communication and, of course, to demonstrate the power of the empire.
How long is the Great Wall of China?
It may be a myth that the Great Wall of China is so huge that it can be seen from space, but its length is still unbelievable! If you add up all the preserved and reconstructable sections, you get a total length of no less than 21,000 kilometres / 13,000 miles. It would take about a year and a half to walk this distance on foot! Even though not all parts are in such good condition that you can actually walk on them, there are some well-preserved sections with various access points. And that’s exactly where the difference lies!
You should avoid this section of the Great Wall of China:
Tourists usually book their tours to the Great Wall from Beijing. The major tour operators mostly go to Badaling – the most famous access point.
+ Advantage: This section is only an hour (about 70 km) away from Beijing by car or bus and is easily accessible by express train. You can basically step off the bus and onto the wall, so there’s not much walking involved. In addition, this section has been completely restored and is easy to walk on.
– Disadvantage: No matter what time of day, the Great Wall at Badaling is always crowded! One tourist group follows another. There are also strict opening hours between 7:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., making it almost impossible to relax and enjoy the sunrise or sunset. Drone photography is also not permitted.
My insider tip: Here you have the Great Wall of China all to yourself
After some research, we came across Jinshanling. A section of the Great Wall of China that turned out to be a real insider tip.
+ Advantage: Here, the wall winds its way through a picturesque, mountainous landscape as far as the eye can see. A fantastic backdrop for photos! Jinshanling is only partially restored and has therefore remained wonderfully authentic. And best of all, you’ll encounter significantly fewer or no other visitors here. Although there are opening hours at the ticket office, no one checks when you leave the wall. This allowed us to enjoy the sunset in peace and then stroll back to the exit at our leisure.
– The Only Down part: Jinshanling is located about 150 km / 93 miles from Beijing and is difficult to reach by public transport.
– My Tip: We therefore booked a private driver and it took us just under 2 hours from the city centre in Beijing.
As we wanted to see the sunset, we didn’t leave Beijing until around midday. The driver not only knew his way around very well, but also waited for us at the entrance to the Great Wall until we returned to drive us back. From the entrance, you hike uphill for about 20 minutes, but the path is paved and easy to find. You can expect restored as well as original passages with some stony steps and paths. Sturdy footwear is therefore important!
Don’t miss out on this experience: standing all alone at sunset on this epic monument, with no other soul in sight, feels like stepping into an adventure movie.
Another tip: it’s worth booking an accommodation in Jinshanling and spending a night right by the wall. (You can find my hotel tips below.)
The perfect route on the Great Wall of China in Jinshanling
There are also several entrances to the Great Wall in Jinshanling. After the ticket office, follow the main path to a fork, where it is best to keep to the right. Once you reach the wall, you can walk in either direction. You will pass various watchtowers with windows and great views. We started at Brick Crenel and walked west to Six-Window Tower. From here, you have a spectacular view of the untouched part of this section of the Great Wall, which is covered in dense greenery. We then walked back, past Brick Crenel again, and hiked about 8-10 towers further east until dusk set in. For our return journey, we chose the second access point to the wall from Shalingkou Tower.
You don’t like to travel alone? Simply book a guided tour in a small group or a private tour in Jinshanling:
My hotel recommendations at the Great Wall of China in Jinshanling
Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to spend a night at the Wall, but we will definitely make up for that on our next visit!
I linked the best hotels with a perfect location and top reviews:
→ Jinshanling Great Wall Hotel
A few more tips for your visit to the Great Wall of China:
Can you buy food and drinks at the Great Wall of China in Jinshanling?
Yes and no. There are a few small shops and even a restaurant on the main path, but everything was closed when we visited. I suspect this was because we were in Jinshanling on a Monday – the shops probably open more on weekends or public holidays? However, some locals had set up small stalls in the towers where they sold souvenirs, snacks and even cold drinks. And at fair prices! However, you shouldn’t rely on this. Be sure to pack enough water and maybe a few snacks – especially in summer.
When is the best time to visit the Great Wall of China?
The spring and autumn months are ideal. The temperatures are pleasant and the nature is absolutely beautiful. Summers are very hot with intense sunshine. Winters, on the other hand, are very cold and there may even be snow in the mountainous regions. We visited the Great Wall of China in August. Sunscreen with a high SPF, a sun hat and sunglasses were therefore essential.
A visit to the Great Wall of China from Beijing – without the tourist crowds! My summary
I had been looking forward to visiting the Great Wall of China for a long time, but what I experienced exceeded my expectations by far! Not only due to its imposing size, but mostly due to all the unforgettable moments we had! Standing alone on this epic monument, with a breathtaking view of the endless landscape, overwhelmed me. Jinshanling turned out to be an absolute insider tip.
I hope my recommendation for the perfect tour of the Great Wall of China and my personal insider tips will help you plan your trip.The Great Wall of China should definitely be on your China bucket list!
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