The Great Wall is a must-visit for everyone visiting China, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to do on your own. Navigating Beijing and far-away places like the Great Wall is not simple even if you speak Chinese. Eliminate the hassle of figuring everything out by yourself – sometimes tours are the best way to see things! Trust us.
We’ve visited The Wall more times than we care to admit publicly on a website, so we’ve learned a thing or two about where to go and what to do through a combination of research, trial, and error. So we’ve worked with a local Great Wall guide to put together three itineraries that we can personally vouch for. Keeping in mind that a round-trip taxi plus ticket for one is already around 300 RMB, taking a tour is also a great deal for your wallet. We promise you’ll be in good hands, and more importantly, you don’t have to worry about researching anything else. Take a look at the options below, choose the one that fits your schedule, and know that you’re going to have the best Great Wall experience possible!
There are a lot of sections of the Great Wall to visit (it’s pretty big after all,) and Mutianyu is our favorite. It has incredible views as far as the eye can see with densely placed watchtowers along a sweeping 2.5km stretch. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can climb the 500+ steep stairs to one of the areas highest points. If you’re looking for something a bit more relaxing, take the cable car and slowly explore the watchtowers as you stroll along the wall to the toboggan slide- perfect for all ages. Multiple ways up and down from the wall make it very easy to create a loop without needing to turn around and retrace your steps to go back down, so you can maximize your time up there!
Combine all of this with a personalized experience that includes comfortable private transportation, a private English-speaking driver, and ample time to explore the wall on your own. It’s literally the perfect way to see the Great Wall, and totally customizable.
What Your Day Looks Like:
Price:
Price Includes: Hotel pick-up & drop-off, private car with English-speaking driver, admission tickets to the Great Wall (optional Cable Car and Toboggan tickets are not included), bottled water. Airport pick-up/drop-off have an additional surcharge due to the further distance.
Enter your details below to start your reservation. We’ll follow up with you right away to answer any questions you have and confirm your trip!
If you’re looking for the ultimate Great Wall experience, this can’t be beat. This route is almost impossible to access unless you speak Chinese, and the hike is considered the most precipitous and beautiful stretch in the entire region. The hike begins in an un-restored, less visited area that offers ancient ruins, soaring views and photos that you can’t get anywhere else. During the hike, your private guide provides stories about the wall’s history and construction. This one is a bit more adventurous, if you’re into hiking this is probably the one for you!
What Your Day Looks Like:
Price:
Price Includes: Hotel pick-up & drop-off, private car, professional English-speaking guide, post-hike lunch, Great Wall admission tickets (optional Toboggan tickets are not included), bottled water.
Enter your details below to start your reservation. We’ll follow up with you right away to answer any questions you have and confirm your trip!
Short on time and want to combine the best sites outside of Beijing all in one day? This is the answer! We’ve combined a trip to the Mutianyu section of the great wall (the first itinerary on this list) with a visit to Beijing’s famous Summer Palace. Combine this with your own private guide, and you’ll get insider knowledge on the best places to beat the crowds, the best photo ops, and fascinating historical and cultural insights. After a couple of hours exploring the great wall, you’ll stop for lunch and then head to the Summer Palace with an immaculately preserved royal gardens which have a lake, bridges, temples, and historic pavilions.
What Your Day Looks Like:
Price:
Price Includes: Hotel pick-up & drop-off, private car, professional English-speaking guide, post-hike lunch, Great Wall admission tickets (optional Toboggan tickets are not included), Summer Palace admission tickets (optional dragon boat tickets are not included), bottled water.
Enter your details below to start your reservation. We’ll follow up with you right away to answer any questions you have and confirm your trip!
After three years, China is reopening its border to tourists, effective immediately! Based on what we’ve seen in other parts of the world post-pandemic, the best time to visit a reopened country is early – before all of the crowds return. We’ve got all the details you need to start planning your next trip to China…
Did you know that the East Foothills of Helan Mountain in Ningxia is China’s first officially recognized wine appellation and is now home to some of the best wineries in all of China? Here are five interesting facts about China’s answer to Bordeaux…
Xizhou is the name of a village just outside Dali’s old town in China’s Yunnan province. Baba is local slang for bread. Xizhou Baba is the greatest thing since sliced bread – literally! As you walk along the cobble stone streets of Xizhou, it won’t take you long to recognize old charcoal ovens that bake this famous local street food. Peek inside a Baba shop, and you’ll see fresh dough being kneaded and prepared by hand. You’ve got to try this addictive snack yourself!
Sign up for our newsletter!
Join our newsletter and we’ll send you our FREE city guides to make your trip delicious!
