Great Wall Tours & Vacations

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

This varies a little depending on which section of the Wall you’re due to visit, but generally Spring is a lovely time to visit Beijing.

The weather in March or May is warm and fresh, and you should only need a light jacket to be comfortable on your Great Wall tour. 

Summer (June – August) is the most popular time to visit the Great Wall, but it’s the hottest too: temperatures can average around 86°F, which means sunscreen, sunglasses and a water bottle are trekking must-haves.

Autumn (September – November) is a little cooler, but still a great time to visit.

The real one to avoid is Winter (December – February) where temperatures usually drop below freezing. Most Great Wall tours won’t even run during this time.

Walking the Great Wall on a China tour requires a basic level of fitness.

You don’t need to be springing from watchtower to watchtower like a mountain goat, but the ability to walk steadily for a few hours is pretty essential.

With that in mind, pack some comfy shoes. Runners or sneakers are a good idea –they’ll support your ankles and knees while navigating uneven stone stairs.

Sunscreen and a hat are a good idea too, especially in Summer when the temperature can really spike.

Bring a small canteen for water (try to avoid buying plastic bottles) and obviously a spare SD card or two for the camera – trust us, they fill up quick here.

There are no toilet facilities along the Great Wall of China once you've moved past the main entrance.

You should use the bathrooms before you start the walk to ensure you feel comfortable and don't have to turn back.

The restrooms may not be stocked with tissue paper or paper towels so bringing that with you is also a good idea. 

The easiest way to get to the Great Wall of China is on one of our China tours; however, if you're intent on visiting by yourself, there are a couple of ways you can get there on your own.

You can hire a private driver for the day that'll pick you up from and drop you off at your accommodation in Beijing, you can catch a range of public transportation options (including taxis) or you can self-drive from Beijing to the Great Wall of China.

It's important to note that some sections of the wall are only accessible through a group or private tour so keep that in mind when planning out your itinerary. 

We are committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. We do our best to help you see the world, regardless of physical or mental limitations. 

We are always happy to talk to travelers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.