Visiting the Great Wall of China had been on my bucket list for many years. But after researching where I could go and how to get there, I suddenly became overwhelmed with all of the options and which one would be best for me.

Luckily, I managed to narrow down the pros and cons of each section to help you decide which part best fits your travel style. From stunning scenery, rigorous hikes, fewer crowds and family adventures, the many walls can provide a unique experience for everyone.

• Best for: First time visitors & families
• Crowd: Very crowded
• Time needed: 1.5-3 hours
• Difficulty: Easy

Balading is an iconic section of the wall, located a short 1.5 hour journey from Beijing. This section of the wall is highly popular, tourist friendly and features a heavily restored structure, giving you a clear glimpse into the walls past.

Because of its restored state, this makes it perfect for family adventures, older travellers and those who’d prefer an easier climb.

However, these same reasons make Badaling less appealing for some tourists. It often becomes overcrowded, lacks the rugged, wild Great Wall feel, and is surrounded by numerous restaurants and souvenir shops.

I’d recommend avoiding Balading on the weekends and especially during the holiday season.

You can find all the Balading transport information you need here.

• Best for: Scenic views, less crowded
• Crowd: Moderate
• Time needed: 2-4 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate

I chose to visit Mutianyu, located a short 2 hour journey from Beijing and found it to be the perfect alternative to Badaling. This wall is great for those wanting a blend of scenic views, history, accessibility and a toboggan ride!

I visited during autumn, which turned out to be the perfect timing. The wall is surrounded by a dense, picturesque forest, creating a stunning backdrop of Beijings colourful foliage.

Mutianyu also has 23 watch towers and fewer tourists, but it still got quite busy near the top of the wall. However, what really seems to bring most people here, is for the chance to zigzag down the mountain on the toboggan ride.

To get to Mutianyu Wall and I had to take the bus from Dongzhimen Bus Station. Check out the video below and follow the directions to get to the correct bus. The bus drivers will also tell you when to change bus which was amazing!

• Best for: Adventure seekers, photographers
• Crowd: Uncrowded
• Time needed: 4-6 hours
• Difficulty: Very difficult

If you’ve ever seen any footage of the Great Wall before, it was most likely Jiankou. The wall offers the most authentic Great Wall experience, due to the wall being completely unrestored and surrounded by some amazing views. For these reasons, the wall has become highly popular among the hiking community.

As you might expect, this section is physically demanding and quite dangerous, requiring you to navigate through overgrown pathways, crumbling stones and steep inclines.

If raw adventure and a challenging hike is what you’re looking for, then you can look forward to the legendary “Ox Horn Edge” and “Stairway’s to Heaven”.

However, although I have not been myself, I believe that this is the most beautiful section of the wall as you can experience the battle between nature and history. If you do decide to go, avoid going during bad weather and always travel with a buddy for safety!

Getting to Jiankou seems to be a little more tricky compared to the other walls on this list. I recommend checking out this article to find the best routes and point of entries to maximise your trip.

• Best for: Hikers, peaceful experience
• Crowd: Low
• Time needed: 3-5 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate

Jinshanling, located 3 hours away from Beijing and the furthest wall on this list. It offers a peaceful alternative to Balading and Mutianyu. Famous for its incredible panoramic views and includes both wild and restored sections of the wall.

Furthermore, it has 67 towers to view, each with their own unique deign, therefore making this a photographers paradise.

Jinshanling is perfect for those who want to view quality architecture, scenic views, rugged ruins and relaxing hikes.

Since fewer people visit this wall, transportation options remain limited during thr day and become even scarcer in the off-peak season. Therefore, I recommend checking this article here for everything you need to know about getting to Jingshanling smoothly.

If you want to experience a park bursting with a vibrant atmosphere and radiant scenery, then Chaoyang Park is for you. It’s surrounded by the reflections of sky-scrappers on the neon lakes, lantern-lit walkways and flying dragons.

Tucked away from Beijings bustling streets, Chaoyang park offers a peaceful retreat and is great way to wind down from a busy day of travelling.

I enjoyed my visit with a leisurely walk around the gardens and lakes, where the locals were enjoying some family time, tai chi and evening jogging. This is also a great place to rent a bike and go on a mini adventure.

Located within Chaoyang park, the night cruise takes you through the windy river and underneath the ancient neon bridges, surrounded lanterns that shimmer along the surface.

The cruise offers a unique perspective, placing you between two worlds. One moment, you’re gliding past ancient traditional buildings and the next, you’re floating alongside modern skyscrapers, a true contrast between new and old Beijing.

The boats themselves are spacious and flow generally down the stream, making this one of the most relaxing parts of my trip.