Facts About the Great Wall of China

The Great Wall at Bādálǐng attracts the most tourists and is the most photographed section of the great wall. Small children and older visitors find this the easiest section to navigate.

The Great Wall section at Jinshanling includes 24 watchtowers. The Great Wall here remains undeveloped in large part. A walking tour along the Great Wall from Jinshanling to Sīmǎtái lasts four hours. Payment for further admittance on the wall is frequently required when reaching Sīmǎtái.

Simatai

Steep and alluring with incredibly beautiful views, the Great Wall of China at Simatai is best left for experienced physically fit tourists. Souvenir hawkers sell their products everywhere, plus buying food is difficult due to scarcity. Water is available but very expensive; therefore, bring your own.

A ten-kilometer hike on top of the wall between Simatai and Jinshanling offers a closer look at parts of the Great Wall. Hostels in Beijing frequently pick tourists up, providing a three-hour bus ride to Jinshanling. After hikers arrive at Simatai, the bus then takes them back to Beijing.

Camel Rides for Tourists

Some areas of The Great Wall contain added amusement rides, zoos and cheesy museums. Bādálǐng is especially crowded with commercialized "add on" tourist attractions, for example, camel rides or the Great Wall Circle-Vision Theater. (Reference 3)