Unit 5

Passport to Adventure

Alberta Education Outcome

Great Wall of China

 The Guest Experience

"I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand." ~ Confucius


The Great Wall of China is one of the 7 new wonders of the world. It is an absolutely a must-see for a would-be traveller. 

Click each coloured tab to view information about the activity.

Must Haves

Best Time to Visit


The best times to visit The Great Wall of China are spring and fall so tourists avoid summer heat and crowds (summer) and freezing conditions (winter). The summer is definitely the peak season and the popular sections get very crowded. Although the winter season attracts few visitors, be aware that it also brings very cold and icy conditions. 

During the spring (April - May) the Beijing mountains are warm and the green vegetation makes The Great Wall beautiful. The fall season (September-November) is the best hiking season due to the clear weather. The mountain views are blanketed by colours of red, golden yellow, and brown, setting off the grey colours of The Great Wall. 

Insider tip: Do not travel to The Great Wall during Chinese school holidays because the vast number of visitors will make the trip much less enjoyable.

Currency


The official currency in China is the renminbi (RMB) and the basic unit is the yuan. 

How to Get There

Getting to China 


Depending on the tourists' departure city / country, they will likely need to take a flight or possibly a train into Beijing, China. Be sure to check any visa requirements with a travel agent specializing in travel to China.

Getting from Beijing to the Great Wall


From Beijing, the easiest way to access The Great Wall is either via public transport (bus or train) or through an organized tour company's booking. Deciding which section to visit during your trip depends on your physical condition, the crowds, and the weather conditions. 

The 4 main options are:


  1. Badaling (75 km from Beijing) - The most popular, easiest, most preserved, and subsequently, gets the most tourists!
  2. Juyongguan (60 km from Beijing) - Very close to Badaling with slightly fewer tourists but less preservation.
  3. Mutianyu (95 km from Beijing) - Less preserved with the least amount of tourists due to its difficulty to access.
  4. Jinshanling (140 km from Beijing) - Contains long hikes, however, it is not as preserved. Since this section is the furthest away from Beijing, the number of tourists is the smallest.

Where to Stay

Day Trippers


For tourists planning a one-day trip to The Great Wall, the majority of The Wall is reachable from Beijing. In this city of 21 million people, Beijing's location is quite important. Location can drastically affect traffic and transportation. The traffic in Eastern Beijing is particularly bad. Most hotels take credit cards and travellers' cheques for payment. Most four and five-star hotels have non-smoking rooms, while the lower ranked hotels do not have this guarantee. As an additional note, there is no tipping in China. 

Longer Stays


If tourists want to watch the sun rise or set over this staggering architectural wonder, they will want to stay overnight. Here are some options:

  1. Commune by The Great Wall - This luxurious hotel has some serious architecture. The highly acclaimed designers are some of the best in Asia. Indoors, there is fine furniture and decor with the added features outdoors of tennis courts, an outdoor pool, a kids' club, and a restaurant with a children's menu. 
  2. The Schoolhouse - This charming cluster of 8 renovated farmhouses is adjacent to the Mutianyu section of The Great Wall and is run by a local group that has lived in the area since 2005. The accommodation is environmentally friendly, and they hire local people, grow their own food, purchase from area vendors, and use recycled building materials. While the buildings still have rustic exteriors with some interior stone walls remaining, they are still comfortable with heated floors, wi-fi, and even full kitchens. There is a restaurant and an art studio on site. 
  3. Shan Li Retreats - For peace and quiet in the shadow of The Great wall, five courtyard houses accommodate singles through to large groups. Some of the residences are stone, others brick, but they are all built in traditional Chinese style. The interiors are modernized, with well-appointed kitchens, cozy fireplaces, as well as contemporary furniture and fixtures. There is a large courtyard where tourists can watch the sun set into the horizon over The Great Wall.
  4. Brickyard Eco Retreat - This former glazed tile factory has been transformed into a 25-room hotel with direct views of The Great Wall. All guest rooms have large windows and private terraces. Without wi-fi, guests can busy themselves hiking or playing mah-jong in the lodge. Complimentary coffee, tea, soft drinks, homemade oatmeal raisin cookies, and sugar cookies are available. This is a great location for families.