Great Wall FAQ

Great Wall FAQ is helpful and a must-see page if you want to visit this iconically tourist attraction in China. Read the following Top frequently asked questions when you plan China Great Wall Tour.

Great Wall FAQ of Basic Information

Where is the Great Wall of China located?

The Wall Is A Huge Construction Which Starts From Hushan, Liaoning In The East And Ends At Jiayuguan Pass, Gansu In The West, Across Liaoning, Hebei, Beijing, Tianjin, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Gansu And Qinghai Provinces.

Read more about Where is the Great Wall of China located?

Who built the Great Wall of China?

Millions of the people constructed the Great Wall. The labor force to build the Great Wall includes workers, soldiers, forcibly recruited peasants, slaves, convicts and war prisoners. 

Read more about Who built the Great Wall of China?

When was the Great Wall of China built?

The construction work lasted on and off for over 2,000 years from the Warring States Period (475 – 221 BC) to the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1911).

Read more about When was the Great Wall of China built?

Why was the Great Wall of China built?

The primary function of the wall was for protection from invasion by Mongolian and Manchu armies from the North. Watchmen were stationed on the wall to keep lookout for approaching enemies. Also important was the Wall’s role in containing the developing empire to only those within its boundaries. In Han Dynasty, the Great Wall was extended west to Yumenguan to protect Silk Road trade.

Read more about Why was the Great Wall of China built?

How tall is the Great Wall of China?

The Great Wall ranges in height from just a few feet to over 30 feet tall. Since some of the Wall is built on mountain peaks and high ridges, it looks even taller.

Read more about How tall is the Great Wall of China?

How long is the Great Wall of China?

According to historical documents, more than 20 vassal countries and feudal dynasties have involved in the building of the Great Wall. Totalling the Great Wall built in each era, there are more than 100,000 miles. The length of the Great Wall built in Qin, Han and Ming dynasties is more than 10,000 miles.

Read more about How long is the Great Wall of China?

What is the Great Wall of China made of?

Builders of the wall always tried to use local resources, so the walls that crossed mountains were made from stone, and the walls that crossed the plains were made from rammed earth. When the wall passed through the desert, the materials used were juniper tamarisks and sanded reeds.  The materials used when the Great Wall was first built were mostly rammed earth and loess since weapon technology wasn’t very advanced. The Ming dynasty brought with it new, stronger materials for the Great Wall. They used bricks, stone slabs and lime.

Read more about What is the Great Wall of China made of?

Can the Great Wall Be Seen from the Space?

umours that astronauts can see the Great Wall of China from the Moon with the naked eye are untrue. 

Read more about Can the Great Wall Be Seen from the Space?

Great Wall FAQ for Travel Guide

Which sections of the Great Wall can the travelers visit nowadays?

Many sections of the wall were restored in 1980s and travelers can visit these more easily.   Beijing: Sightseeing at Badaling, Juyongguan and Mutianyu sections; Hiking at Jinshanling, Simatai, Gubeikou, Mutianyu and Jiankou sections. Tianjin: Sightseeing and hiking at Huangyaguan section Shanghaiguan in the eastern end: Sightseeing and hiking at Shanghaiguan section Gobi desert in the western end: Sightseeing and hiking at Jiayuguan section.

Read more about Which sections of the Great Wall can be Visited

Which Section Should I Choose?

Among all the sections, Badaling and Mutianyu are the most favoured ones for visitors. Badaling is a must-visit site for Beijing Great Wall Tour, while Mutianyu is a nice choice to avoid large crowds in the peak season.

How far is the Great Wall from Beijing?

  • Restored Mutianyu Great Wall: 2 hours’ drive
  • Wild Jiankou Great Wall: 3 hours’ drive
  • Steep Simatai Great Wall: 2.5 hours’ drive
  • Unrestored Gubeikou Great Wall: 1.5 hours’ drive
  • Wheelchair-friendly Juyongguan Great Wall: 1.5 hours’ drive 

How to Get to the Great Wall from Beijing?

The best-known sections, like Badaling Great Wall and Mutianyu Great Wall, are located in the outskirt of Beijing. You can get there by public transport, private cars or join our Beijing Tours.

Read more about How to Get to the Great Wall from Beijing?

How to Get to the Great Wall from Shanghai?

First, you need to get to Beijing from Shanghai by air or train. Then, take a bus or train to it from downtown Beijing.  Badaling and Mutianyu sections are the most popular among tourists.

Read more about How to Get to the Great Wall from Shanghai?

How to Get to the Great Wall from Hong Kong?

You should take a direct flight or train to Beijing from Hong Kong at first. Or, take a high speed train to Beijing from Shenzhen North Railway Station. Upon arrival, take a city bus or train to reach the destination.

Read more about How to Get to the Great Wall from Hong Kong?

When is the Best Time to Visit the Great Wall?

Autumn and Spring are the best two seasons to visit the Great Wall, with impressive fall scenes and superb spring weather. Try to avoid the Chinese Golden Week holiday in October, when the Great Wall is usually filled with crowds.

Read more about When is the Best Time to Visit the Great Wall?

Further Reading:

Learn More about the Great Wall of China