Great Wall of China Tours & Trips
4.5 stars on(7,695 reviews)- Choose from 45 Great Wall of China tours
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Table of contents
- The best Great Wall of China tour packages
- What people love about Great Wall Of China Tours
- Travel Great Wall of China your way
- Best tour companies for Great Wall of China tours
- Discover Great Wall of China tours for every budget
- Great Wall of China tours for every group
- Top Great Wall of China travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Great Wall of China
- Contact our Great Wall of China travel experts
- What our customers ask about Great Wall of China Tours & Trips
The best Great Wall of China tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaGreat Wall of China travel expert at TourRadar
Walk the Great Wall + Xian Extension
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Very happy with the tour.”
Simon, traveled in May
Duration 12 days Destinations Beijing, Shanhaiguan, Zunhua, Jinshanling, Xi'an Age Range 16 to 85 year olds Operator Explore! From
- US$2,910
China Highlights
20 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Excellent tour with an awesome guide. He was very kind, friendly and helpful as well as bringing the places we visited to life with his great knowledge.”
JonathanDeJong, traveled in December
Overnight stays near the Great Wall offer intimate access to China's most iconic landmark. Sunset views from ancient watchtowers and hikes along the less-visited Jinshanling section precede nights at a family guesthouse in the Wall's shadow.
Duration 8 days Destinations Shanghai, Xi'an, Beijing Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel From $1,780
5% Off- US$1,691You save $89
The restored Mutianyu Great Wall segment stands ready for exploration. Ancient watchtowers reveal the wall's defensive history, while stunning mountain vistas unfold before you, with options for cable car or toboggan rides.
Duration 15 days Destinations Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Mount Emei, Yangshuo, Shanghai Age Range 12 to 90 year olds Operator G Adventures From $2,999
25% Off- US$2,249You save $749
Great Wall & Warriors - 10 days
12 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“An enjoyable journey to the most iconic sights of China.”
Morris, traveled in November
The majestic Huanghuacheng section of the Great Wall beckons with its unique underwater segments and yellow wildflowers. From imperial Beijing to ancient Xi'an and dynamic Shanghai, immerse yourself in cultural highlights from kung fu shows to traditional feasts.
Duration 10 days Destinations Beijing, Luoyang, Xi'an, Shanghai Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator On The Go Tours From $2,815
30% Off- US$1,971You save $844
China Express - 8 days
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“This is a well planned and well-run trip. On The Go's partner in China has all the details planned out well in advance.”
Siobhan, traveled in October
The distinctive Huanghuacheng section of the Great Wall showcases underwater portions and seasonal yellow wildflowers. Walk along restored battlements with expert guides while taking in breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and lake.
Duration 8 days Destinations Beijing, Luoyang, Xi'an Age Range 18 to 80 year olds Operator On The Go Tours From $2,235
35% Off- US$1,453You save $782
What people love about Great Wall Of China Tours
- China Highlights
Guide was great, very patient and knowledgeable about culture. He was respectful and knew a lot about Chinas culture and history. Main issue of the tour were other tour attendees which cant be controlled. I'd also reccomend intrepid nixing the water town day and spending the extra day either in shanghai/xian or beijing. I dont feel the water town added much value or interest to the trip. Overall excelletn trip - would do it again!
- Great Wall & Warriors - 10 days
Just did the Great Wall and Warriors tour in China. It was an Wonderful experience. Enjoyed it very much the service was great. Would definitely recommend this tour. Feng our tour guide was awesome
I travelled with On the Go on the China Express tour and had an absolute blast! Normally I am the type of traveller to "go solo" and do my own thing and have my experiences that way. I must admit, I would never have seen half the things I would have compared to doing it with On the Go. Each day is brilliantly organised, you get to make friends with the people you travel with from all over the world, but there is not too many people that you feel like a sheep. China is the kind of country where have a local tour guide really enhances your whole holiday as well. Organising something as easy as a taxi yourself requires you to know Chinese, you cant just show them an address. You get to learn a lot more about the culture, history and see some really interesting places which are more local than what a guide book can tell you. I would highly recommend On the Go, my whole trip was flawless, the ground staff couldn't be more helpful and it was a great way to see one of the most interesting countries in the world without feeling overwhelmed.
China Express - 8 days
Travel Great Wall of China your way
Multi-day active tours blend wall walks with genuine cultural immersion. You might spend mornings hiking the wall, then head to nearby farming villages to learn local cooking and see traditional agriculture in action. Some routes push west, combining wall visits with panda encounters in Chengdu and exploration of ancient Buddhist cave networks. Our customers particularly like how these tours mix the famous Mutianyu section with raw spots like Jiankou, where you'll need to carefully pick your way across unrestored parts. Several routes extend along Marco Polo's path through Kashgar's lively bazaars and old Silk Road trading centers.
Our most intrepid travelers keep coming back to the combined Jinshanling-Simatai routes, where you'll find yourself climbing original Ming Dynasty stonework between ancient watchtowers. There's a particularly good 10-day option that lets you camp right by the wall - you'll have those sunrise views completely to yourself. The more challenging sections include what locals call the "Spider Wall," where the steep inclines require some hand-over-hand scrambling. Many of our walking tours now connect multiple wall segments with stays in village guesthouses, so you'll get to know rural families and their daily routines while hiking between sections.
Select from our extensive range of 33 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through Great Wall of China with our expert guides leading the way.
The historical depth of Great Wall tours really comes alive when you start at the Ancient Dragon's Head where the wall meets the Bohai Sea. From there, you'll trace how different dynasties built and modified the structure over centuries. The massive eastern fortress called 'First Pass Under Heaven' tells fascinating stories about the divide between imperial China and outside territories. Our guests particularly enjoy staying in traditional courtyard houses, sharing meals with local families and chatting with village elders whose own family members helped construct these impressive stone sections.
Best tour companies for Great Wall of China tours
Looking at these three China tour operators, Intrepid Travel comes out strong with consistently good feedback about their organization and guides. Our travelers particularly mention Owen and Jerry - they really know their stuff and help create experiences that feel natural, not touristy. Exodus Travels has a solid Great Wall walking tour, though it's worth noting you'll need to pack extra toiletries since the accommodations are pretty basic. It's the kind of detail that makes a real difference when you're out there. On the Go Tours gets good marks for their Great Wall & Warriors program, and their guide Matthew is particularly impressive - he's one of those guides who clearly loves what he does and puts in extra effort to make things work smoothly. That said, some of our customers mentioned wanting more depth in the itinerary compared to what other companies offer. They felt like they were moving through the highlights without really diving deep into each location. Between these three, you'll find the most comprehensive experiences with Intrepid, while Exodus might suit travelers who don't mind trading some comfort for authentic local stays. On the Go Tours works well for those wanting a solid introduction to China's main sites, even if it doesn't go quite as deep as the others.
Discover Great Wall of China tours for every budget
Most travelers looking for good value head straight to our Great Wall budget tours. The Beijing-Mutianyu combo gets you all the main city spots plus quality wall time, and yes - you can take that fun toboggan slide down after. We've also got a nice Beijing-Xi'an route where you'll compare two amazing engineering projects: the Great Wall and Terracotta Warriors, while staying in simple, clean hotels that do the job nicely. Our guides make these tours really special - they know exactly where to grab the best local food and how to use the night trains, which saves money and gives you more time to explore. One of our guides is actually from Yangshuo and shows travelers these amazing local spots for photos, plus introduces them to families who cook traditional meals right in their homes.
Great Wall of China budget tours
Great Wall of China tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
36 tours in Great Wall of ChinaExplore a wide diversity of group tours through Great Wall Of China. We have 36 adventures that vary from 6 days to 25 days. With the greatest number of departures in May, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Small Group
9 tours in Great Wall of ChinaSmall-group tours with 8-12 people deliver the most authentic Great Wall experience, with our travelers consistently praising guides like Owen and Jerry for their deep historical knowledge and ability to reveal hidden spots. The top routes combine well-preserved sections at Mutianyu, where a toboggan ride adds a fun descent, with raw wilderness walks through Jinshanling and also Jiankou. This intimate group size creates natural bonds between travelers as they explore both restored fortifications and untamed segments together. Many itineraries include overnight stays in village guesthouses, where families welcome you to share traditional meals and local stories. The guides take care of all logistics without fuss - finding excellent local dining spots and coordinating transport between wall sections with ease. Several tours blend challenging hikes along original Ming Dynasty stonework with cultural activities in Xi'an, including calligraphy practice, tea ceremonies and also martial arts classes. Our guests particularly appreciate how these smaller groups can visit during quiet periods, giving them space to capture sunset photos without crowds and explore ancient watchtowers at a comfortable pace.
Private / Personalized
9 tours in Great Wall of ChinaGoing private gives you complete control over your Great Wall experience. Our most popular option lets you build your wall visits around Beijing's main sites, and your guide adapts everything to match what interests you most. We've got another good one that combines wall time with Jiuzhaigou Valley - perfect if you're into photography and want to take your time getting those shots just right. These tours often include nice extras like learning calligraphy in Xi'an or joining traditional tea ceremonies. Our travelers often mention how their private guides make everything work better - finding hidden photo spots, avoiding the busiest times and sometimes even arranging casual visits with families who live near the wall.
Top Great Wall of China travel itineraries to fit your plans
The 10-day Great Wall tours really let you dive deep into both the wall itself and Chinese culture. We've got a popular route that combines walks at Juyongguan, Mutianyu and also Xi'an where you'll see Emperor Qin's Terracotta Warriors. Our travelers tell us they love how the days are structured - active mornings on the wall, then afternoons learning about tea ceremonies or trying their hand at calligraphy. For those after something less touristy, there's a great option through Gubeikou and Jinshanling where you'll spend 5-6 hours walking between watchtowers on paths that aren't fully restored. It's perfect for getting those authentic photos and really understanding the wall's history. You get such a good mix of experiences - from the meticulously restored sections to the raw, weathered parts that show the wall's true age.
With two weeks to explore, you can really take in the wall properly while seeing other amazing parts of China too. A lot of our guests go for tours that blend wall visits with a Yangtze cruise and time exploring Shanghai. You'll typically get 3-4 days around Beijing to discover different wall sections, with Mutianyu being especially popular since you can ride up by cable car and toboggan back down. The extra time means you can visit during the quiet morning hours and come back for sunset views over the mountains. What makes these tours special is staying in local guesthouses near the wall, sharing meals with families who've lived beside these ancient fortifications for generations. It works really well if it's your first time in China and you want to mix wall exploration with genuine cultural experiences.
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Demographics
Solo travelers really connect with our small-group tours that blend Great Wall walks with authentic cultural experiences. Most groups run with 8-12 people, making it easy to bond with other travelers while exploring different sections of the wall. The guides handle all the tricky bits - getting between wall sections and finding those local restaurants that tourists usually miss. We've got this great route where you hike during the day then stay in family guesthouses at night; you'll share proper home-cooked meals and get to know daily village life right below the wall. There's also this excellent option that mixes wall walking with hands-on experiences in Xi'an - think martial arts sessions and trying your hand at traditional calligraphy.
Our couples really love the multi-day wall experiences that mix active exploring with genuine cultural moments. Many pick tours covering both the well-maintained Mutianyu section and the more rugged Jinshanling area, where you can take fantastic photos without the usual crowds. The guesthouses are particularly special for couples - quite a few have rooms looking right out at the wall and also lovely traditional courtyards. One route that works really well combines wall hiking with a relaxing Yangtze cruise. Another favorite starts with cycling Xi'an's old city walls, includes a fun dumpling-making session together and also features peaceful morning walks on quieter wall sections.
Travelers in their 20s and 30s tend to go for our more active wall itineraries. These tours mix challenging hikes on original Ming Dynasty stones with current-day experiences like exploring Beijing's modern 798 Art District. The overnight trains between cities are a hit - they're budget-friendly and great for meeting people. Some routes include unique touches like watching shadow puppetry in Xi'an's Muslim Quarter and early morning tai chi right on the wall. Young adults especially get into the food scene, from street food discoveries and also cooking lessons with local families.
Our older travelers consistently pick tours that balance good wall access with comfortable pacing. The itineraries thoughtfully mix easier sections like Mutianyu, with its reliable cable car, and moderately challenging spots at Huangyaguan where going slow is perfectly fine. Many appreciate how we connect the wall to its history - visiting Eastern Qing Tombs and old garrison towns helps tell the full story. We choose guesthouses that offer both easy access and proper comfort, while keeping that genuine Chinese hospitality. Several tours mix in tea ceremonies, calligraphy sessions and also cultural workshops between wall visits.
- Solo Travelers37 tours
- Couples22 tours
- Seniors (50+)28 tours
Best time to visit Great Wall of China
- Spring 2025
Spring brings out the best of the wall, especially around Huanghuacheng where wild yellow flowers spread across the hills. Our 10-day routes let you explore multiple sections while the weather stays mild - starting at the well-kept Mutianyu before moving on to quieter spots like Jinshanling. The morning light makes your photos pop, and our guides know exactly when to visit each part to dodge the busier times. The spring tours mix wall walks with local life - you might catch residents doing tai chi in Xiyuan Park or learn dumpling-making in Xi'an after your wall visits.
- 24 tours
- 29 tours
- popular 32 tours
- Summer 2025
Summer needs smart planning, which is why our tours hit the wall early to avoid heat and crowds. We pair dawn walks with afternoon cultural stops - you could find yourself practicing calligraphy in Xi'an or catching an acrobatics show in Beijing after your morning on the wall. Huanghuacheng section works really well in summer since it sits near a lake that brings cool air. Our guides pace everything sensibly and know every shaded rest spot, which makes a real difference during hot days.
- 26 tours
- 28 tours
- popular 30 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2025
Fall creates perfect conditions for longer wall explorations, and our tours make the most of it. The popular autumn routes spend extra time up on the wall, particularly at Jinshanling where you can walk for hours through old towers surrounded by red and gold leaves. Many pick our 8-10 day trips that combine several wall sections with visits to the Terracotta Warriors and Shanghai's old quarters. Clear fall skies mean great photos - our guides know which towers give you the best mountain views and when the light hits just right.
- 29 tours
- popular 31 tours
- 23 tours
- Winter 2025 / 2026
Winter at the Great Wall works best when you mix outdoor and indoor experiences thoughtfully. Our travelers typically head out for morning walks on the wall, then warm up at spots like the Forbidden City to dive into China's imperial past. The 8-10 day winter tours time everything just right - you'll get that clean winter light on snow-covered stones before ducking into local courtyard houses for hot tea and fresh dumplings. After a chilly day exploring, our guests really appreciate settling in at places like the Dong Fang Hotel where they can properly warm up.
- popular 17 tours
Contact our Great Wall of China travel experts
Kate
Expert in Great Wall of China at TourRadar
Kate is one of our seasoned Great Wall of China Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Great Wall of China tours answered!
- Choose from 45+ Great Wall of China tours
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+1 844 311 8331What our customers ask about Great Wall of China Tours & Trips
Which section of the Great Wall is best for a first-time visitor?
You really can't go wrong with Mutianyu it's got these amazing watchtowers and the views are just incredible. There's a cable car to get you up there and what's fun is you can take this toboggan ride down perfect if you're not super fit. A lot of our travelers actually love Huanghuacheng too it's got this beautiful lake setting and wildflowers that make it really special. Both these spots are part of our "Highlights of China" tour which is great because you'll also get to see the Terracotta Warriors and visit the Giant Panda Breeding Center.
How can I experience the Great Wall beyond the popular tourist spots?
If you're up for an adventure Jiankou's wild sections are absolutely worth it. The scenery is stunning and you've got to see this crazy part called the "Spiderman Wall." Gubeikou's another fantastic option with these challenging climbs and loads of watchtowers it really shows you what the original wall was like. For a really deep dive into the Great Wall experience check out our "Walking the Great Wall" tour it takes you through both these amazing sections.