Before our trip to Beijing China, Elaine and I had read countless books and timelines about emperors, dynasties, and walls that could be seen from space. But let me tell you—no photo or documentary ever quite prepares you for the moment you actually walk along the Great Wall of China. Especially not when you’re climbing the uneven Ming-era stone steps while holding a plush penguin and trying not to trip!
A Wall That Needs No Introduction
The Great Wall of China (中国长城 Zhōngguó Chángchéng) is often the first thing that comes to mind when people think of famous places in Beijing—and for good reason. It’s massive, legendary, and steeped in over two thousand years of history. No Beijing China tour would be complete without it.
The wall isn’t just one wall, but rather a series of fortifications and barriers built by various dynasties across centuries. It’s one of the top 10 places to visit in Beijing China, and if you’re looking for China wonders, this is it.
The earliest parts were started in the Warring States Period (战国时期 Zhànguó Shíqī, 475–221 BCE) by regional kingdoms like Zhao Kingdom (赵国 Zhào Guó), Yan Kingdom (燕国 Yān Guó), and Qin Kingdom (秦国 Qín Guó), long before China was unified. One fascinating figure from this era was King Wuling of Zhao (赵武灵王 Zhào Wǔ Líng Wáng, reigned 325–299 BCE). He was a visionary ruler, famous not only for military reforms—like introducing cavalry and nomadic-style clothing—but also for building extensive defensive walls in what is now Hebei and Shanxi. These early walls were the ancestors of the Great Wall.
We had just visited Congtai Park (丛台公园 Cóngtái Gōngyuán) in Handan (邯郸 Hándān), the ancient capital of Zhao Kingdom (赵国 Zhào Guó), a few weeks before our Beijing trip. Standing at Congtai Terrace, Elaine and I imagined King Wuling watching his generals return from the frontier, reports of wall-building projects in hand. It gave us goosebumps to later walk on the very concept he pioneered centuries before the Qin dynasty unified it all. If you’d like to read more about that visit, check out our earlier post: Exploring the Enchanting Beauty of Handan’s Ancient Congtai City Park.
Then came Emperor Qin Shi Huang (秦始皇 Qín Shǐ Huáng, 259–210 BCE) of the Qin Dynasty (秦朝 Qín Cháo, 221–206 BCE), who unified and linked many of these early walls into a single defense system. Later, the Han Dynasty (汉朝 Hàn Cháo, 206 BCE–220 CE) extended it across the desert, and much later, the Ming Dynasty (明朝 Míng Cháo, 1368–1644) reinforced it with brick and stone—the parts we mostly see today, like Badaling and Mutianyu.
To help readers visualize the layers of construction and the passage of time, we’re preparing a special illustrated map showing the timeline of major wall-building dynasties, including the contribution of King Wuling. Keep an eye out for it in our resources section!
So… Is It Really That Long?
Yes. It’s long. Really long. Officially, the Wall stretches over 21,000 kilometers (13,000 miles). That’s like walking from New York to L.A. almost five times. But don’t worry, you don’t have to hike the whole thing. Most tourists visit the more accessible sections near Beijing.
We chose Badaling (八达岭 Bādálǐng), a top choice on any China Beijing travel guide. It’s restored, well-paved, and manageable for families. Although the steps still make you work for every meter!
Why Elaine Loved It
Elaine learns best by seeing and doing, and the Great Wall delivered on both. She kept stopping to feel the texture of the stones, peering over the side to imagine what soldiers might have seen centuries ago.
We talked about how Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang (Ming Taizu 明太祖) ordered massive reinforcement of the wall during the Ming Dynasty, using over a million workers. Elaine paused, looked up at the winding wall disappearing into the mountains, and said, “That’s a lot of bricks.”
She’s not wrong.
Beyond the Bricks: What Makes the Wall Special
It’s not just the scale. It’s what it represents: unity, defense, endurance. It tells the story of China’s fear, strength, and ingenuity. This is the kind of story you feel in your bones, especially when exploring the Beijing capital of China.
Every part of the Wall has its own mood. Some areas are wild and crumbling; others are rebuilt and tourist-friendly. We chose a calm weekday morning, and for a moment, it felt like we had the whole wall to ourselves—just the wind, the hills, and a glimpse of China’s history timeline.
If You’re Planning a Trip to the Great Wall of China from Beijing Capital
- Where to go: Badaling or Mutianyu for accessibility. Simatai and Jinshanling if you’re up for adventure.
- How to go to Great Wall of China from Beijing: Tour bus, private car, or high-speed train to Badaling.
- Best seasons: Spring and Autumn. Avoid peak summer weekends.
- Wear: Good walking shoes. The stairs are no joke!
- Bring: Water, snacks, sunscreen, and curiosity.
This is one of the most recommended Beijing China tourist attractions, and also one of the best China vacationexperiences you can start with.
Learning Before Visiting Helps
Trust me, knowing a bit of background makes the visit so much more powerful. Elaine brought along her homemade Chinese history timeline (you can download a version here). We reviewed the dynasties before the trip, so when we saw stone watchtowers or brickwork, she could actually guess which period they were from. And she was usually right.
If you’re not familiar with Chinese dynasties, I recommend reading up a little before you go. Start with the Great Wall Wikipedia page, or download our free timeline. This is a great way to understand why Beijing is the capital of China and how its central role shaped the country’s past and present.
A Saying that Still Echoes
As we neared the end of our walk, I remembered a famous Chinese saying often quoted when visiting the Great Wall: 不到长城非好汉 (Bù dào Chángchéng fēi hǎohàn) — “He who has never been to the Great Wall is not a true hero.”
You’ll find this phrase engraved near the Badaling section, and it really does capture the spirit of standing on this monumental piece of history. It’s not just about the climb, but what it represents: determination, strength, and connection to something much bigger than ourselves.
Elaine liked the phrase too. She stood proudly on one of the stone watchtowers and said, “So I’m a little hero now?”
Absolutely, Elaine. You are.
Final Reflections
Was the Great Wall worth the hype? Absolutely.
But more than that, it became a living classroom for us. It brought ancient emperors to life, made history tactile, and gave Elaine a learning experience she’ll never forget.
And that’s why we travel.
So if you’re thinking of traveling to Beijing China, let the Wall be your first stop. Not just for the view, but for the story.
And maybe bring a plush penguin too.
