This year I got an opportunity to use my visa and explore mainland China. For the first time I managed to visit two cities: Beijing and Shanghai. When I came back a second time, I decided to spend some extra time there and explore several more cities. When I visited Beijing, I went to the Great Wall of China both times once with my partner and once with my girlfriends. Seeing how the landscape changes according to seasons became one of the reasons for me to come a second time. For those who plan to visit China, this day-trip is highly recommended.
What to Bring
In general, the things that you will need to take apart from your passport are comfortable shoes and clothes which fit the weather of that day. I would not advise you to take anything else, since there are no lockers to store your extra belongings. I saw several people with strollers but it seemed quite difficult for them to carry them around and walk on the Great Wall. It does not have any flat surface, there are lots of stairs and bumps. It was quite a bumpy experience to walk there.
When to Visit
Many have asked me about when the optimal time to come would be. I believe it would depend on your availability, what you wish to experience and your preferences. I have visited in December and March, meaning one trip was very cold while the other was at the onset of spring. When I came in December, it was cold and windy in the city. This is why I had to wear my hat, scarf, wool coat, and everything else I could get my hands on. But at the wall itself, I found that I only needed my sweater, hat, and gloves. I found it interesting that it felt quite warm compared to the city.
The landscape was vast and brown, as would be expected during the winter, but the sky was beautiful and clear. The landscape was beautiful despite the lack of foliage. When I came in March, the weather was much warmer. All I had worn was a light coat, nothing else. The trees were green, leaves were plentiful and grass was growing, thus creating a wonderful view of the mountains. I have enjoyed both trips. The views in March were more luscious due to the greenery, however there were a lot more people visiting.
Getting Up to the Wall
After you reach the drop off zone at the bottom of the Great Wall, you will pass through an area where you can use the restrooms, purchase souvenirs, or have some light snacks. Afterwards, you will proceed to the top of the wall. Tours begin very early because the wall becomes very crowded starting from 11 a.m. Two methods to go up the Great Wall are the use of a ski lift going up and then sliding down, or going up and down using a cable car. You can try both, but it will take time. Bear in mind that whichever one you try later will become much more crowded than before.
Booking a Tour
In general, most people opt for the excursion in the form of a big group, but you also have the possibility of a small-group one or driving on your own in case you have more time or money. In my case, I wasn’t able to hire a car, and booking a small-group didn’t matter much to me. Anyway, both times I booked the tour through a third-party application. As far as I understand, most tours include a big charter bus with meeting at a certain point in the morning. It is necessary to travel a long distance to the wall, and, therefore, despite being an early trip, you can sleep during it. I would pay attention to the historical part of the journey on the bus. There is a very interesting lesson, which contains the history of the wall, how it was built and destroyed, and what is happening with it now.
Also, I’d recommend having some snacks or eating before the visit because many shops might not be open yet. At the entrance to the wall, you’ll be directed to the section you have chosen by your guide. Then, you’re on your own until the set meeting time to go. Make sure to leave some time for the designated lunch spot. Lunch is usually included in day trip tours like this. Both times, we ate at one of the restaurants near the buses. They served shared plates family style for the group you booked with. The food was solid after a long morning, and there were lots of drink options. I wouldn’t say it was the best food I had on the trip, but it wasn’t bad for being up in the mountains.
Walking Along the Wall
The wall has uneven footing, lots of steps going up and down, and not much space to move through. With the number of people there in March, it was much more difficult to get through the crowd, especially if you already have a hard time staying balanced. Still, it’s a lot of fun to walk around and see all the towers that were built. Along with the vast openness of the land. On a clear day you can see very far off mountains that are covered in trees and grass.
Overall, the trip takes up most of the day. I got back in the late afternoon both times and was pretty tired after walking around and spending so much time in the car. I really enjoyed the history lesson and getting to see the views beyond the wall. It’s beautiful to look out at the mountains and vast landscapes on both sides from the top. I also find it interesting to experience the history in person and hear it told in a different way from what you may have learned back home. The Great Wall spans centuries and holds so much history, so how could you not want to see it for yourself?
