Plan your Great Wall Tour? If you’re looking for less touristy sections of the Great Wall near Beijing, there are five options you can consider among the major different sections of the Great Wall of China.
These five sections are remote, less tacky, typically quieter and offer a more peaceful experience compared to the heavily crowded touristy sections like Badaling Great Wall and Mutianyu Great Wall.
We’d like to choose the five less touristy sections of the Great Wall of China according to the wall direction from east to west. So, let’s begin with Huanghuacheng Great Wall on the most eastern section of the Great Wall of the five sections.
1. Huanghuacheng Great Wall 黄花城长城
Located about 80km north of Beijing, the less touristy Huanghuacheng Great Wall is an out-of-the-way wall with a steep, sometimes slippery climb & tranquil panoramic views. It offers a unique experience as it combines the Great Wall with a shimmering lake.
The shimmering lake is actually a reservoir also named Huanghuacheng Reservoir. The reservoir caused the submerged section of the wall. you take a boat ride on the lake to see the submerged section of the wall. But it is quite touristy for the boating itself.
So, we do suggest you walk along the Wall, every much wild, unrestored and slippery on some areas. Take a great caution while hiking the Huanghuacheng Great Wall.
2. Jiankou Great Wall 箭扣长城
Situated around 93 km north of Beijing, the less visited Jiankou Great Wall is a challenging, steep, and unrestored section of the Great Wall. It is highly recommended for experienced hikers and adventurers. Jiankou Great Wall provides breathtaking views and a sense of adventure, but it requires caution and proper preparation.
So Jiankou Great Wall is designed for those who have strong legs and quite experienced in hiking with well-equipped equipment.
For ordinary tourists who prefer a wild section, but an easy walk, we suggest you take the easy part of the Jiankou Great Wall, walking from Jiankou Great Wall to Mutianyu Great Wall. This half day hike provides a dramatic view but with relatively easy walk. In this way, you have one day tour combining Jiankou Great Wall and Mutianyu Great Wall.
3. Gubeikou Great Wall ( Panlongshan ) 古北口长城
Located around 127 km northeast of Beijing, the less touristy Gubeikou Great Wall offers a less crowded and less restored section of the Great Wall. It is known for its strategic military importance in history and offers a peaceful environment for hiking and exploration.
Actually, the Gubeikou Great Wall is composed of two sections of the Wall, namely Panlongshan (on the west) and Longhushan (on the east). The Panlongshan Great Wall is often recognised as Gubeikou Great Wall since Longhushan Great Wall is very rugged, wild, not easily assessable, not open to the public.
Panlongshan literally means “Coiling Dragon Mountain”. So the Gubeikou Great Wall ( also known as Panlongshan Great Wall) looks like a coiling dragon.
If you are an experienced hiker, you may consider hiking from Gubeikou Great Wall ( Panlongshan) to JInshanling Great Wall, a one-day strenuous hiking.
4. Jinshanling Great Wall 金山岭长城
Located around 141 km northeast of Beijing, the less touristy Jinshanling Great Wall offers a rugged and less restored section of the Great Wall. It is known for its picturesque scenery and diverse architectural features. This section requires a moderate level of fitness due to its steepness and uneven terrain.
So, for me, Jinshanling Gtreat Wall is a typical combination of a wild, rugged and a restored section of the Wall near Beijing. It is one of the most beautiful sections of the Great Wall near Beijing.
5. Simatai Great Wall 司马台长城
Situated about 130km northeast of Beijing, the less touristy Simatai Great Wall offers a well-preserved and less crowded section of the Great Wall. It is known for its steepness and stunning views, including the illuminated wall at night.
The hike on the Simatai Great Wall is very much challenging, hking all the way up the top, steep and treacherous. If you don’t have strong legs, you may take the cable up the hill where you still walk along to get to the Wall itself.
The Simatai Great Wall used to be loved by the Great Wall enthusiasts, but with the building of the man-made Gubei Water Town below the Simatai Great Wall, making the once lest touristy section of the Wall a bit noisy, frequented by the domestic tourists and holidaymakers.
For more information on Gubei Warer Town, please check its official website: Gubei Water Town.
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For a truly memorable adventure, I personally recommend the half-day hike at Gubeikou (Panlongshan) or the full-day trek from Gubeikou to Jinshanling—both routes offer sweeping views and a peaceful, uncrowded experience.
Keep in mind that these less touristy sections of the Great Wall near Beijing can be rugged and physically demanding, so a good level of fitness and hiking experience is advised. To make the most of your journey, consider hiring a local guide or joining a small-group tour. You’ll not only navigate the trails more easily but also gain deeper insight into the rich history and culture of this world wonder.
