The Great Wall is iconic, and a must do when near Beijing. But the main sites of Badaling and Mutianyu can be super hectic with the sheer number of tourists and tacky infrastructure around them. Instead, head to one of the remoter wild wall sections – way way fewer people, very similar views and, critically, that feeling of wow and adventure as you’re heading off into the distance on one of the Wonders of the World.
I’d recommend Jinshanling and to walk from there to either Simatai or Gubeikou. Night and day compared to the typical Great Wall experience, one of the best things I experienced after living 2+ years in China, and the maximum Wow-factor score of ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ .
