+852 5394 6901
Take China Group Tours in 2026/2027 to enjoy 30% discount compared to private tour. Same Experience & Lowest Price!
Great Wall of China Map Location: Where Is the Great Wall?
The Great Wall of China is an ancient defensive fortification sprawling across northern China, with a total length of over 21,000 kilometers.
It stretches from Jiayuguan Pass (Gansu Province) in the west to Hushan Mountain (Liaoning Province) in the east, traversing 15 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions.
From the map, you can see that the Great Wall is not a single continuous line, but a network of walls built in different periods, following the natural terrain.
Most of the well-preserved sections visitors see today were constructed during the Ming Dynasty, especially those near Beijing.
How to Get to the Great Wall of China from Beijing (2026 Guide)
Unraveling the Mystery: 25 Facts You should Know About the Great Wall of China
Great Wall of China on Beijing Map: Sections near Beijing
Stretching across the mountainous suburbs north and northeast of downtown Beijing, the Great Wall is not a single continuous spot but consists of multiple independent sections.
Each part differs greatly in landscape, renovation degree, crowd density and hiking difficulty. Below are the most famous and visitor-friendly sections near Beijing for you to compare and choose from.
| Section | Distance from Beijing | Transport Time (One-way) | Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Badaling | ~70 km (NW) | 1–1.5 hrs (bus/S2/high-speed rail) | Fully restored, iconic, easy access, cable cars & facilities |
| Mutianyu | ~75 km (NE) | 1.5–2 hrs (bus/car) | Forested scenery, scenic views, toboggan ride, family-friendly |
| Juyongguan | ~50 km (NW) | 1 hr (bus/car) | Historic pass, circular fortress layout, cultural carvings |
| Jinshanling | ~130 km (NE) | 2.5–3 hrs (car/tour bus) | Best for hiking & photography, mix of restored and wild wall |
| Simatai | ~120 km (NE) | 2.5–3 hrs (car) | Steep, original structure, water town combo |
| Jiankou | ~80 km (NE) | 2 hrs (car) | Wild, unrestored, dramatic and rugged |
| Huanghuacheng | ~70 km (N) | 1.5–2 hrs (car/bus) | Unique "wall meets water" scenery, boat/kayak experience |
Great Wall of China Map - Mutianyu
Located about 80 km northeast of Beijing, Mutianyu is one of the most popular Great Wall sections for international visitors—and for good reason. It offers a great balance between scenery, accessibility, and comfort.
This section is fully restored, with wide paths and 20 dense watchtowers stretching along forested mountain ridges.
Compared with Badaling Great Wall, it is less crowded and more scenic, making it a better choice if you want a relaxed experience without sacrificing views.
You can reach the wall by cable car or chairlift, and for the way down, there's a fun toboggan ride, which is especially popular with families.
8 Days Beijing Xian Shanghai Small Group Tour: Best Selling Group Tour
Beijing - Xian - Shanghai
8 Days
3 Places- The wall splits into east, middle and west sections from the main access point
- The middle section is core highlight and must-visit
- The west section is higher and more scenic
- The east section is quieter and slightly less crowded
Best for: first-time visitors, families, and those looking for an easy yet beautiful Great Wall experience without heavy hiking.
For more details about transportation and travel route, check Mutianyu Great Wall Map>>
Great Wall of China Map - Badaling
Located about 70 km northwest of Beijing, Badaling is the most renowned and highly developed section of the Great Wall. Most important, it can reach by high speed train from Beijing in 30 minutes.
Fully restored with gentle slopes and complete tourist facilities, it features cable cars, sightseeing platforms and well-built walkways.
As the most classic landmark segment, it draws the largest number of visitors year-round. Easy to access and suitable for all ages, it remains the top choice for first-time Great Wall travelers.
6 Days Shanghai Beijing Highlights Tour by High Speed Train
Shanghai - Beijing
- The wall is divided into north and south sections from the main entrance
- The north section is longer and more popular, with better views
- The south section is shorter and less crowded
Best for: first-time visitors, families, and those who want a comfortable, iconic Great Wall experience with minimal hiking effort.
For more details about transportation and travel route, check Badaling Great Wall Map>>
Great Wall of China Map - Jinshanling
Located about 130 km northeast of Beijing, Jinshanling is a pristine, 10.5 km-long Ming Dynasty section. It is widely considered the best section for hiking and photography.
It offers a perfect mix of restored paths and original wall, giving you both comfort and authenticity in one visit.
The wall here stretches along dramatic mountain ridges, with densely packed watchtowers (one every 50–100 meters) and constantly changing views.
Compared with Badaling Great Wall and Mutianyu Great Wall, it is much less crowded, making it ideal for a more immersive experience.
- The main access point is Brick Crenel Tower, leading into the core section
- The middle section is the most scenic and easiest
- Walking east offers quieter views and fewer crowds, perfect for photography
Best for: hikers, photographers, and travelers who want a less crowded, more authentic Great Wall experience without extreme difficulty.
For more details about transportation and travel route, check Badaling Great Wall Map>>
Great Wall of China Map - Simatai
Located about 120 km northeast of Beijing, Simatai is well-known as a largely original, unrepaired Ming Dynasty section with rugged terrain and narrow, steep walkways.
Connected closely to Gubei Water Town, it features distinctive slender watchtowers and dramatic mountain scenery.
It is the only Great Wall area offering official night tours, favoured by history enthusiasts and adventure travellers.
- The route is linear, with no complex turns
- East 5–8 is the core scenic area, especially for night tours
- Access beyond East 10 is restricted
Best for: travelers looking for a unique experience (especially night tour), dramatic scenery, and a more adventurous Great Wall visit.
For more details about transportation and travel route, check Badaling Great Wall Map>>
Great Wall of China Map - Jiankou
Located about 90 km northeast of Beijing, Jiankou is the wildest and most rugged section of the Great Wall near the city.
Unlike restored areas, this section remains largely unrepaired, giving you a raw, dramatic look at the wall as it winds sharply over steep mountain ridges.
The terrain here is extremely challenging—with crumbling stone steps, narrow ridgelines, and steep climbs.
Famous spots like the "Sky Ladder" and eagle-shaped ridges create some of the most iconic (and intense) Great Wall views.
Important: Jiankou is not officially open to tourists, and hiking here can be dangerous without proper experience and preparation.
- No formal entrance or facilities (no cable car, no shuttle)
- Trails are unmarked and uneven
- Often combined with nearby sections like Mutianyu Great Wall for partial hikes
Best for: experienced hikers, photographers, and adventure travelers who want a raw, untouched Great Wall experience.
Safety Tip:
Jiankou is steep and partially collapsed in places. If you're not an experienced hiker, it's better to choose safer sections like Mutianyu or Jinshanling.
For more details about transportation and travel route, check Badaling Great Wall Map>>
Great Wall of China Map - Juyongguan
Located about 50 km northwest of Beijing, 20 km southeast of Badaling, Juyongguan is an ancient military pass, serving as a critical northern gateway to the capital.
Unlike ridge-top sections, Juyongguan is built around a fortress-style circular pass, where the wall climbs steeply up both sides of the valley and loops back down.
This creates a unique "closed ring" layout, very different from other Great Wall experiences.
The slopes here can be quite steep, with long staircases and continuous elevation gain, making it more physically demanding than it first appears.
However, the structure is well restored, and facilities are convenient for visitors.
From late March to early April (about 10 days), Juyongguan becomes a famous viewpoint for a truly unique scene—A train winding through the valley in an S-shaped curve, surrounded by blooming pink peach blossoms. This combination of Great Wall + railway + flower sea creates one of the most photogenic spring landscapes near Beijing, attracting photographers from all over.
- The route forms a loop, so you can start and finish at the same point
- Both sides of the wall offer different views of the valley pass
- Key highlight: the historic Cloud Platform (Yuntai) at the base
Great Wall of China Map - Huanghuacheng
Located about 90 km north of Beijing, Huanghuacheng is one of the most unique sections of the Great Wall, famous for its rare "wall meets water" landscape.
Here, 3 parts of the wall stretch along the lakeside and even submerge into the water, creating a striking mix of mountains, history, and scenery.
Unlike more famous sections like Badaling Great Wall or Mutianyu Great Wall, Huanghuacheng is less crowded and more relaxed, making it ideal for a slower-paced visit.
The area is not just about hiking—it's more like a multi-experience scenic zone. Besides walking along restored and partially wild sections of the wall, you can also:
- Take a boat or kayak to view the wall from the water
- Ride a small valley train from the peninsula to Heilongtan
- Try the glass rafting experience from Heilongtan to Biyutan
- Enjoy a magnetic alpine coaster loop from the chestnut garden up to a higher watchtower
- The wall runs along and across the reservoir, with 3 sections underwater
- Walking routes include both restored paths and more natural trails
- Scenic spots are spread out, combining wall + water + forest views
Best for: Travelers looking for a unique and experience-rich Great Wall visit—combining light hiking, water activities, and a more relaxed atmosphere rather than a pure hiking or photography trip.
How to Choose? Which Great Wall Section is Best for You?
For travelers, the most practical question is: which section near Beijing should you visit?
The map shows 7 most visited and well-preserved Great Wall sections in Beijing's northern, western, and eastern mountainous suburbs, all within 1.5–3 hours from downtown.
Below is a comprehensive comparison of the 7 major sections. It evaluates each site by crowd level, hiking difficulty, cable car access, night tour availability, and other featured activities, making it easy for you to filter and pick the best one.
| Section | Crowd Level | Hiking Difficulty | Cable Car | Night Tour (2026) | Other Activities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Badaling | Very Crowded | Easy | ✅ Yes | ✅ Seasonal (Apr–Oct) | Sightseeing train, cultural performance |
| Mutianyu | Crowded | Easy–Moderate | ✅ Yes | ✅ Summer Only | Alpine slide, chairlift, laser light show |
| Juyongguan | Moderate | Moderate–Steep | ❌ No | ✅ Weekends & Holidays (May–Oct) | Cultural relic sightseeing, seasonal night market |
| Jinshanling | Moderate | Moderate | ✅ Yes | ✅ Summer Seasonal | Photography sunrise & sunset |
| Simatai | Moderate | Moderate–Steep | ✅ Yes | ✅ Year-round | Gubei Water Town combo, night scenery viewing |
| Jiankou | Less Crowded | Hard / Wild | ❌ No | ❌ Not allowed | Wild hiking |
| Huanghuacheng | Less Crowded | Easy | ✅ Yes | ❌ No night tour | Boating, rafting, valley train |
- First time & easiest → Badaling Great Wall
- Best balance (scenery + comfort) → Mutianyu Great Wall
- Best for hiking & photos → Jinshanling Great Wall
- Most unique (water Great Wall) → Huanghuacheng Great Wall
- Combo Trip → Simatai Great Wall & Gubei Water Town
- For adventure only → Jiankou Great Wall
Which is the Easiest One?
Badaling & Mutianyu
Gentle slopes, well-paved paths, minimal climbing effort, suitable for seniors and young kids.
Which is the Most Beautiful One?
Jinshanling
Abundant watchtowers, grand mountain landscapes, breathtaking sunrise, sunset and autumn foliage, ideal for photography.
Which is the Funnest One
Mutianyu & Huanghuacheng
Mutianyu offers cable car, alpine slide, lush forest views and summer night light shows with plenty of leisure activities.
Huanghuacheng Offers boat or kayak rides, valley train, glass rafting, and magnetic alpine coaster loop. You can enjoy water fun at the foot of the Great Wall, especially during the hot summer.
Which is the Most Accessiable One?
Badaling
Convenient high-speed train and direct bus routes, complete tourist facilities, the easiest to reach from downtown Beijing.
Which is the Cheapest One
Juyongguan & Jiankou
Juyongguan's ticket price is just ¥40 (~$6) only, much cheaper than any other sections. No cable car or shuttle bus fees.
Jiankou is complete free to entry. But it's wild and dangerous, better with a local guide for hiking.
Which is the Least Renovation One
Jiankou
Pure wild original Great Wall with almost no modern restoration, raw ancient ruins and rugged natural terrain.
Data in submission...
