There is a prevailing myth that says if you were in the Moon, the only landmark visible on Earth is the Great Wall of China. Whether the story is true or not, it showcases the magnitude of the attraction in the global perspective, or even beyond.
Great Wall of China was built during the 5th century BC by various dynasties primarily as a means to defend territories from foreign invaders. It has since been rebuilt and maintained throughout the years. And while many of its sections are in state of disrepair, there are still many others that are amazingly great condition and are suitable for tourists and curious locals.
From Beijing, Great Wall of China is accessible through Badaling and Juyongguan sections. Due to its close proximity from the capital city, this section is obviously more crowded and has potential tourist traps. A bit farther away from Beijing is Mutianyu, also well-maintained but with smaller crowd.
Here are some tips before making a visit:
• Bring in extra clothing during chilly months and plenty of water during summer seasons. Bottled water is readily available on crowded sections of the wall.
• There are buses that take you from your Beijing hotel to the Badaling section. But be warned that there are bus scams that charge more expensive rates. Bus from central Beijing to Badaling costs only about 20 yuan but scam buses charge more than 100 yuan. Be aware also that some organized tours handed out by people at the Forbidden City are also scams and are best avoided.
• If you are a photography enthusiast, it's best to take photos during early in the morning and late afternoon.
• Consider making a visit during weekdays instead of weekends to avoid large crowds that mean longer queues and less photo opportunity.
• When joining tours, make sure that you don't fall for detours to jade shops and souvenir stores that don’t add value to the whole trip.
A visit to Beijing is not complete without taking time to explore the Great Wall of China's Badaling section. By sticking to the points above (plus choosing an appropriate Beijing hotel reservation), hopefully, it will be an exciting and rewarding escape from the city.
Great Wall of China was built during the 5th century BC by various dynasties primarily as a means to defend territories from foreign invaders. It has since been rebuilt and maintained throughout the years. And while many of its sections are in state of disrepair, there are still many others that are amazingly great condition and are suitable for tourists and curious locals.
From Beijing, Great Wall of China is accessible through Badaling and Juyongguan sections. Due to its close proximity from the capital city, this section is obviously more crowded and has potential tourist traps. A bit farther away from Beijing is Mutianyu, also well-maintained but with smaller crowd.
Here are some tips before making a visit:
• Bring in extra clothing during chilly months and plenty of water during summer seasons. Bottled water is readily available on crowded sections of the wall.
• There are buses that take you from your Beijing hotel to the Badaling section. But be warned that there are bus scams that charge more expensive rates. Bus from central Beijing to Badaling costs only about 20 yuan but scam buses charge more than 100 yuan. Be aware also that some organized tours handed out by people at the Forbidden City are also scams and are best avoided.
• If you are a photography enthusiast, it's best to take photos during early in the morning and late afternoon.
• Consider making a visit during weekdays instead of weekends to avoid large crowds that mean longer queues and less photo opportunity.
• When joining tours, make sure that you don't fall for detours to jade shops and souvenir stores that don’t add value to the whole trip.
A visit to Beijing is not complete without taking time to explore the Great Wall of China's Badaling section. By sticking to the points above (plus choosing an appropriate Beijing hotel reservation), hopefully, it will be an exciting and rewarding escape from the city.
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