Great Wall Frequently Asked Questions

Great Wall of China Facts You Should to Know (MuTianYu Section)

• Great Wall of China Opening Hours: 7:30 - 17:30 (Apr. - Oct.); 8:00 - 17:00 (Nov. - Mar.)
• Great Wall of China Tickets (RMB):
  1. shuttle bus: 15yuan/pp (3.5km to cable car or chairlift station)
  2. cable car: 120yuan/pp/roundtrip; 100yuan/singleway
  3. chairlift up & toboggan down: 120yuan/pp/roundtrip; 100yuan/pp/singleway
  4. great wall entry: 45yuan/pp

Great Wall of China Frequently Asked Question (MuTianYu Section)
the great wall of china, also named mutianyu great wall, is nearest to airport, if you have more than 8 hours, you can visit it from airport or downtown hotel.

• toboggan, slide down at great wall of china, mutianyu great wall:
  - you can control the speed by yourself, so if you think your kids or aged could handle it, it would be ok.
  - but the staff have the right to refuse you to play it just for safety.
  - at the same time, they permit you hold your kid in arm to play it.
•  how to get to great wall of china, mutianyu great wall:
  - renting a car with driver, hire a driver, this is a kind of chartered transit service, privated and tailored, the price should be round trip, include car, driver, gas, toll, parking fees, bottle water, exclude meals, tickets and tour guide; it would take around 1.5 hours from downtown or airport and 2 hours back depending on the traffic;
  - reminding: this kind of transit service need the licence, please hire the licensed cab, otherwise you may be seized by the Travel & Transportation Authority.
  - riding the public bus at dongzhimen transportation hub, the line 916 express, get off at huairou north street, then hail the taxi or private car to mutianyu. it would take around 3-4 hours on the way from dongzhimen;
• shopping at great wall of china, mutianyu great wall:
  - if you have more time to stay in beijing, don't buy any thing in here.
  - if you do want to buy, should bargain the price. it would be better to ask your driver or guide to help you.
  - the prices would be higher than in inside city because it is travel zone and far away the business district.
  - before you done the deal, don't hold the stuff.
• restaurants at great wall of china, mutianyu great wall:
  - there is farmyard near to mutianyu, named Fish Master, it is good and the price is flat relatively.
  - if you hope to drink coffee, buy at the shopping street, there is a store at the cable car up-station, the price is very high.
• the eastest and fastest hiking route is chable car up and toboggan down:
  - if you are with aged or kids, recommend to ride the cable car to get off at the no. 14 tower, then hike to west direction, to the no.6 tower, ride the chairlift or toboggan to down.
  - you need to take a little much money, but it would be easier, because it is from high to low to walk.
• you can climb to the great wall of china by walk：
  - the precondition is you have much time, and be strong.
  - it would take at least 1 hour to climb.
• sunrise and sunset at great wall of china, mutianyu great wall:
  - sunrise: you should be taken by the local guys, and should pay to the guy directly, the price may be around 100yuan per person, more or less, because it is closed and the Security staff will stop you, the local guys could take you to another way in the village.
  - sunset: you should go down before 19:00 in summer and 18:00 in winter, becuase it is the last shuttle bus time, otherwise, you will take more time to go down the mountain.

• JinShanLing Great Wall Opening Hours: 6:30 - 18:30 (Apr. - Oct.); 8:30 - 16:00 (Nov. - Mar.)
• JinShanLing Great Wall Tickets (RMB):
  1. shuttle bus: 25yuan/pp
  2. cable car: 80yuan/pp/roundtrip; 40yuan/singleway
  3. great wall entry: 65yuan/pp (Nov.-Mar.) 55yuan (Apr.-Oct.)

the jinshanling great wall is the most beautiful section, located at LuanPing, HeBei province, more than 150km away from Beijing, connecting with PanLongShan, GuBeiKou in west direction, with SiMaTai in east direction.

• Now, You can not hike from JinShanLing through to SiMaTai:
  - SiMaTai is run by a Beijing tourism company
  - SiMaTai have not only the great wall but also a watertwon they built, the scene and tickets are different.
  - the SiMaTai side blocks the way at the border tower with JinShanLing.
• Hike-through route: GuBeiKou-PanLongShan-JinShanLing:
  - it would take around 6 hours depending on the hike speed.
  - there is a military area to detour down and up again.
  - the ticket is 25yuan per person for GuBeiKou and PanLongShan sections, you may buy ticket when enter the JinShanLing section.
  - Please paying attention to the pink sign on the wall and road.
  - you should know the JinShanLing direction and you will not lost your way.
  - water and food must be brought.
• how to get to JinShanLing great wall:
  - renting a car with driver, hire a driver, this is a kind of chartered transit service, privated and tailored, the price should be round trip, include car, driver, gas, toll, parking fees, bottle water, exclude meals, tickets and tour guide; it would take around 2 hours from downtown or airport and 2-3 hours back depending on the traffic;
  - reminding: this kind of transit service need the license, please hire the licensed cab, otherwise you may be seized by the Travel & Transportation Authority.
  - riding the special bus at north yard of dongzhimen transportation hub, get off at JinShanLing High Way Rest Station, then transfer the mini bus to the JinShanLing Parking Lot, ride the shuttle bus to the entry. it would take around 4-5 hours on the way from dongzhimen;
• shopping at jinshanling great wall:
  - if you have more time to stay in beijing, don't buy any thing in here.
  - if you do want to buy, should bargain the price. it would be better to ask your driver or guide to help you.
  - the prices would be higher than in inside city because it is travel zone and far away the business district.
  - before you done the deal, don't hold the stuff.
• restaurants at jinshanling great wall:
  - there is farmyard near to wall, are good and the price is flat relatively.
• Special Tour: Capmping at night on the wall
  - the price is 220yuan, 150yuan for tent renting.
  - need to book in advance and sign the security contract with the organization.
• Special Tour: Night Photograph on the wall
  - the price is 298yuan.
  - need to book in advance and sign the security contract with the organization.
• you can climb to the jinshanling great wall by walk：
  - the precondition is you have much time, and be strong.
  - it would take at least 1 hour to climb.
• sunrise and sunset at jinshanling great wall:
  - sunrise: need to get the permit from the JinShanLing in advance.
  - sunset: you should go down before 19:00 in summer and 18:00 in winter, becuase it is the last shuttle bus time, otherwise, you will take more time to go down the mountain.

• Jiankou Great Wall Opening Hours: wild, unrestored, open to public
• Jiankou Great Wall Tickets (RMB): free of charge

the jiankou great wall is the most dangerous section, located at huairou district, connecting with MuTianYu in east direction.

• 1st Route, hike on Jiankou Main Towers:
  - from westnorth to east, the towers are west big wall - beijing knot - Eagle Flying Belly up - heaven ladder - general guard - thirty eight pedaling - edge over - jiankou beam - west oil basket - small budala - north building - Bulls Horn Ridge
  - short route: middle between beijing knot and Eagle Flying Belly up - Eagle Flying Belly up - heaven ladder - general guard.
  - a little longer route: west big wall - beijing knot - Eagle Flying Belly up - heaven ladder - general guard.
  - long route: west big wall - beijing knot - Eagle Flying Belly up - heaven ladder - general guard - thirty eight pedaling - edge over - jiankou beam - west oil basket - small budala - north building - Bulls Horn Ridge
• Hike-through route: North Building in JianKou - MuTianYu Great Wall:
  - it would take around 4 hours depending on the hike speed.
  - climbing to North Building and then hike on the mutianyu great wall direction.
  - will pass through Bulls Horn Ridge .
  - start from XiZhaZi villiage.
  - you should know the MuTianYu direction and you will not lost your way.
  - water and food must be brought.
• how to get to XiZhaZi:
  - renting a car with driver, hire a driver, this is a kind of chartered transit service, privated and tailored, the price should be round trip, include car, driver, gas, toll, parking fees, bottle water, exclude meals, tickets and tour guide; it would take around 2 hours from downtown or airport and 2-3 hours back depending on the traffic;
  - reminding: this kind of transit service need the license, please hire the licensed cab, otherwise you may be seized by the Travel & Transportation Authority.
• shopping at jiankou great wall:
  - no shops and restaurant, there are some farmeryards to accommodate, are good and the price is flat relatively.

• SiMaTai Great Wall Opening Hours:
  - OPEN AREA: From East Tower No.1 to East Tower No.10
  - OPEN TIME: 8:00am-5:30pm
  - TICKET TIME：9:30-10:00 11:30-12:00 13:30-14:00
• SiMaTai Great Wall Tickets (RMB):
  1. great wall entrance: 40yuan
  2. great wall + cable car: 110yuan with single way; 180yuan with round way;
• SiMaTai Great Wall Night View:
  - Open Hours: 18:00 - 22:00 (summer) 17:30 - 20:30 (winter)
  - WaterTown + Great Wall Tickets: 170yuan

the SiMaTai great wall was same section with JinShanLing in past, now it belongs to a Beijing travel company, they built the GuBei Water Town under the SiMaTai great wall. you may just only visit the SiMaTai great wall or with the water town together.

• Reservations should be made at least 24 hours in advance if just visiting the great wall:
  - Please use the real name reservation. Visitors can book the next day to 10 days tickets.
  - Reservations visitors can take shuttle bus to the Great Wall. (Bus Time: 10:00am, 12:00am, 2:00pm)
  - After booking information submitted, visitors will receive "the successful appointment" message, please use it within the period of validity.
  - Visitors with reservation messages, valid identity documents, can buy tickets in the visitor center square and and take shuttle bus to the Great Wall.
• So, SiMaTai is almost same distance with JinShanLing away from Beijing downtown:
• how to get to SiMaTai:
  - renting a car with driver, hire a driver, this is a kind of chartered transit service, privated and tailored, the price should be round trip, include car, driver, gas, toll, parking fees, bottle water, exclude meals, tickets and tour guide; it would take around 2 hours from downtown or airport and 2-3 hours back depending on the traffic;
  - reminding: this kind of transit service need the license, please hire the licensed cab, otherwise you may be seized by the Travel & Transportation Authority.
• shopping at SiMaTai great wall:
  - there are some shops and restaurants in the water town, and some farmeryards to accommodate.

• HuangHuaCheng Great Wall is composed of two parts: restored and ticketed Water Great Wall, and unrestored wild part
• HuangHuaCheng Water Great Wall : 8:00 - 17:00
• HuangHuaCheng Water Great Wall Tickets (RMB): 60yuan

the HuangHuaCheng great wall is the only water great wall, located at huairou district, more than 70km away from Beijing, north of the Ming Tombs.

• the water great wall is located at xishuiyu villiage, pass through zhuangdaokou, is resotored and admission by Ticket:
• if you hope to visit the wild section of huanghuacheng, go to the SiHai direction
• from which side to climb the huanghuacheng wild great wall:
  - there are two entrances at the roadside, if you face to great wall, the right section would be better ;
  - the farmers collect 5yuan per person for pass through.
• how get to the huanghuacheng wild and water great wall:
  - hiring the driver is the best way ;
  - ride the public bus: 883 bus from downtown - changpingxiguan transfer to chang32 bus - jiuduhebei transfer h21 bus - get off at huanghuacheng.
• restaurants at huanghuacheng great wall:
  - there is farmyard near to wall, are good and the price is flat relatively.
• accommodation: many farmer restaurants also supply the rooms to live
• there are no cable car, you can only climb to the great wall by yourself：
  - it would take at least 15 minutes to the wall.

• BaDaLing Great Wall Opening Hours: 6:30 - 19:00 (Apr. - Oct.); 7:00 - 18:00 (Nov. - Mar.)
• BaDaLing Great Wall Tickets (RMB):
  1. great wall entry: 40yuan/pp (Nov.-Mar.) 45yuan (Apr.-Oct.)
  2. cable car: 60yuan/pp/roundtrip; 40yuan/singleway

the badaling great wall is the first restored and opened to tourists section, located at YanQing, Beijing, also is nearest to inside city, passes the Ming Tombs.

• First, the highway is so busy and traffic, even jam, there are also many trucks.
• Second, the highway is narrow, a long distance is the mountain road.
• Third, the driver have no place to stay and has a rest.
• Fourth, it is crowed on the wall because most local tourist like to visit this section.

 

 

Great Wall of China Anecdotes

• great wall entire length: 50,000+ kilometers
  Since the XiZhou Dynasty, it has been built continuously for more than 2000 years. It is distributed in the vast land of northern and central China, with a total length of more than 50,000 kilometers.
  
  edited by  Day Tour to MuTianYu Great Wall of China
• great wall Existing entire length:
  21196.18 kilometers , the latest measurements by the Department of cultural relics and surveying and mapping
  
  edited by Budget Day Tour to MuTianYu Great Wall of China 
• great wall existing length in Beijing:
  573 kilometers, 40 + kilometers have been restored.
  
  edited by Great Wall of China Tour, MuTianYuTour
• the dynast of The extant Great Wall:
  Ming Dynast, starts at Jiayuguan in the West and reaches the Yalu River in the east.
  
  edited by MuTianYu Day Tour, Great Wall of China Day Tour
• the length of Better preserved walls of the Ming Great Wall:
  it is less than 20 percent of its length.
  
  edited by MuTianYu Day Tour, Great Wall of China Day Tour
• YangBian Great Wall, Great Wall Model in Ming Dynasty:
  YangBian Great Wall in MiaoGangCun, HuaiLai, ZhangJiaKou, HeBei province, This section of the Great Wall is served as a model before 650 years, a typical example of the construction of the Great Wall in the Ming dynasty, To sample the men responsible for building the Great Wall, so the specifications are very complete, the quality is very high, the wall is very strong, the length is 3000 meters, 100+KM from Beijing with 2+ hours driving.
  
  
  edited by Great Wall of China Tour, MuTianYuTour
• The watchtowers functions:
  They were used as lookouts and fortresses or to house soldiers’ troops and store supplies. They also served as a signal post, where flaming torches or flags were used for messages.
  
  
  edited by Great Wall of China Tour, MuTianYuTour
• Why is the JinShanLing Great Wall known as the unique beauty of Jinshan Mountain :
  Jinshanling Great Wall was built under the auspices of Qi Jiguang in Ming Dynasty. It is called the essence of the Great Wall and known as the unique beauty of Jinshan Mountain. Unlike the Badaling Great Wall, the Jinshanling Great Wall is not some traces of over-repair. It basically retains the true appearance of the Great Wall. It has a magnificent view and ancient charm. It has great ups and downs, as well as a smooth section, is very suitable for hiking.
  
  
  edited by MuTianYu Day Tour, Great Wall of China Day Tour 
• Beijing Knot on JianKou Great Wall:
  Ming Great Wall is from shanhaiguan, to huairou territory is divided into the inner Great Wall and outside Great Wall, the "Beijing knot on jiankou great wall section in XiZhaZi villiage is its demarcation point, so named.
  
  
  
  edited by Great Wall of China Tour, MuTianYuTour
• the most famous sections of the Great Wall:
  The jian kou Great Wall is named after the whole section of the wall which is shaped like a W and full of arrows. Jiankou section of the Great Wall is one of the most famous sections of the Great Wall，and is one of the most famous dangerous sections of the Great Wall in the Ming Dynasty. It has the highest photographic rate in all kinds of Great Wall albums in recent years. It has always been a hot spot in the photography of the Great Wall.
  
  Heavenly Ladder on JianKou Great Wall
  
  
  Heavenly Ladder on JianKou Great Wall
  
  edited by Budget Day Tour to MuTianYu Great Wall of China
• the eagle flies on its back (Upward flying eagle) on JianKou:
  the wall is steep, steep and steep. It goes down about 800 meters. A peak suddenly rises. On the North side, the Cliff rises vertically. The side wall is very dangerous. When an eagle arrives here, it must fly on its back, so it is called "the eagle flies on its back".
  
  
  edited by MuTianYu Day Tour, Great Wall of China Day Tour
• Simatai Great Wall:
  Simatai Great Wall was listed on the World Heritage List in 1987. It is the only ancient architectural site in China that retains the original appearance of the Ming Dynasty. It has been designated as the "Primitive Great Wall" by UNESCO. In 2012, Simatai Great Wall was rated by the British Times as "the world's top 25 scenic spots not to be missed".
  
  
  edited by Budget Day Tour to MuTianYu Great Wall of China
• the text bricks on jinshanling great wall:
  these text bricks were fired in the sixth year of wanli in the Ming dynasty, namely around 1578 AD. The zhenwu camp, dezhou camp, shandong zuo camp and zhenwu camp recorded on the text bricks were all the border defenders stationed here. The soldiers carved the Numbers of their troops on the bricks they made, so as to record the construction team and the commander of the section of the Great Wall and distinguish their responsibilities.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  edited by MuTianYu Day Tour, Great Wall of China Day Tour
• the length of the MuTianYu Great Wall: 5400 meters
  edited by Budget Day Tour to MuTianYu Great Wall of China
• Why is mutianyu Great Wall flanked by crenellations?:
  The badaling Great Wall is crenellated on one side, the mutianyu Great Wall is flanked by crenellations, the main reason is: Once a small number of the enemy luckily infiltrated the inside of the Great Wall, garrison officers could fight on both sides, and "close the door and hit the dog"!
  
  crenellated on one side
  
  flanked by crenellations
  
  so how to identify which side is inside? see the Look at the gutters and where the water is going, The side from which the water comes out is the inside, another side is the outside.
  
  
  
  edited by Great Wall of China Tour, MuTianYuTour