FAQ About Great Wall Travels

What's the best time to visit the Great Wall?

The Great Wall is stretches over a distance of 31,000 miles on the north of china, it cross many provinces and cities with big different climate.
Nowadays, the most popular Great Wall part for visit has standing in Beijing area, Actually, Beijing Great Wall could be visited in four seasons, every season has it's own characteristic, Spring and autumn is the best time to travel in Great Wall, particularly in the months of April, May, September and October.

Which is the Best section of Great Wall?

Far away from city, this Simatai original section is well-known for its five characters of steepness, compactness, queerness, wonderfulness, and comprehensiveness. Received about 100 tourists per day, The Simatai is must a underestimate and hard to reached Great Wall, We hope all travellers could be to taste of its unique style.

Like a giant galloping dragon on mountain peak, The Mutianyu has it's own prominent peculiarities, such as the flourish grasses and dense forests, closely packed enemy towers, special architecture of gateway platform, important strategic position in history. As a special section targeted to foreigners, about 3,000 tourists to visit here every day. We believe that the Mutianyu is much suitable for relax and hiking tour.

Be considered from the known, The Badaling must be the most famous section, with it's glorious history, important location, complete walls, improve facilities and services. The latest statistics this year 2010, Badaling Great Wall has attract 20,000 tourists per day, and the 91% is from Chinese domestic tourists. So we don't recommend this wall as the first choice for foreign travellers.

What I need to prepare before great wall travels?

Essential products

- Hiking shoes
- Camera
- Mineral water
- Small change

Added products

- Sunscreen
- Coat
- Some food
- Umbrella
- Tent(sleeping hiker)

How long does it take to walk on the wall?

Actually, how long walking on the wall is up to you, mostly Great Wall section has it's independent area, so the traveller must has a round trip in one Great Wall section. In addition to the time for get on the wall, the average time for walking is about 2 hours.

There also have a special Great Wall area in north of Beijing, including three famous section: Simatai, Jinshanling and Gubeikou, which has connect with each other on the top of mountains, the most popular hiking tour is from Jinshanling to Simatai, 10 kilometers need to 3-4 hours for finished.

Where I can stay overnight on the Great Wall?

From 17th March, 2009, For protect this great symbol of the Chinese nation, the China Heritage Committee issued a notice about 'Prohibiting camping on the Great Wall', and it should be a permanent rule in the future.

How many times is the Great Wall worth travelling?

According to our ideas, One day Great Wall tour is enough for the general tourists, of course, it's also available to visit two Great Wall parts in one day, In addition to the above mentioned the Jinshanling to Simatai, there are also have some adjacent Great Wall sections in Beijing. Such as Badaling and Juyongguan, Mutiantyu and Huanghuacheng, etc.

Is it good to visit Great Wall by one's own or with a travel agent?

Basis of different destinations, Great Wall trips is divided into two categories by traffic situation, getting to the Badaling, Juyongguan Great Wall is most convenient by public transportation, and the Mutianyu, Simatai Great Wall is a little bit difficult to reach there, rent a private car, or join a tourist group is our recommend.

Basis of different purposes, self-guided lovers would like to visit the Great Wall by theirself, bring a tourist guide map, back pack, some food and waters to do a flexible trip. But if you had used to travel with a agent, book a driver or a arrangement tours is good way for relax and convenient.

What should be attention when booking a Great Wall trip?

VALUE FOR MONEY
Most hotels, travel agents and website could be booking the Great Wall trips for tourists, many very cheap quotes(under 300yuan/p.p) for a day tours to some Great Wall sections, such as the Badaling + Ming Tombs bus tour, though you could see the Great Wall, maybe only 1 hours, there are some scam waiting for you during this day. So avoid too tourist places and cheapest prices.

SHOPPING SCAM
Nowadays, the shopping scam become a familiar feature of tours in Beijing or China. Having arrived unannounced for tourists, just stop and visit the factories, buy the big overprices products by blandishments. So confirm journey with no shopping guaranteed.

HIDING COST
Almost every provider promised there are no extra in their tours, but if you compare the details with 2-3 company, you would find some different with including service, such as the small entrance tickets, Cable car of Great Wall, lunch, tips for tour guide and driver. So compare trip with distinctly quote.