Gubeikou Great Wall Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Gubeikou Great Wall. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Great Wall at Gubeikou and Jinshanling Private Sunset Tour

• Beijing: 2-day Small Group Great Wall Hiking Gubeikou & Jinshanling

• Private Trekking Tour from Gubeikou to Jinshanling Great Wall

• Private Great Wall of Gubeikou Hiking Tour from Beijing

• Great Wall Private Hiking Day: Gubeikou to Jinshanling w/ Lunch

The Gubeikou Great Wall is a more rugged and unrestored section of the Great Wall, so the ticketing system is less formal than at major tourist areas. Visitors typically pay a small entrance fee of around ¥30–45, usually collected at a local kiosk or by an attendant near the entrance to the wall.

Yes, the Gubeikou Great Wall is definitely worth visiting, especially for travelers who want to experience a quieter and more rugged section of the Great Wall, away from crowds of tourists. Unlike heavily restored areas, Gubeikou has a more untouched feel, with crumbling watchtowers, mountain scenery, and scenic hiking routes. Guided tours to Gubeikou are a great option because they usually include transportation from Beijing, as well as local insights—and sometimes stops at other nearby sections of the Great Wall.

Per one customer who booked the Great Wall at Gubeikou and Jinshanling Private Sunset Tour, "This was such an unforgettable experience from our honeymoon. Our guide, Adele, was so professional and knowledgeable. She was able to guide us to the best spot to watch the sunset. Watching the sunset at the Great Wall with no one else around will be a core memory I will cherish forever. We cannot recommend this experience enough. Make sure you request Adele if you want the best possible tour of the Great Wall!"

The easiest way to get to the Gubeikou Great Wall is to join a tour or hire a driver from Beijing —about a 2-hour drive. To arrive by public transport, take the train from Beijing North Railway Station to Miyun Railway, followed by a bus to Gubeikou.

The Gubeikou Pass is one of the most significant sections of the Great Wall of China, guarding the strategic borderline between Youzhou (modern-day Beijing) and the Northeast. More than 130 battles were fought along this military frontier, and the unrestored ruins provide a fascinating glimpse into Chinese history.

A mighty 172 watchtowers are dotted along the 25-mile (40-kilometer) stretch of the Gubeikou Great Wall, guarding the wall’s four sections—Wohushan, Panlongshan, Jinshanling, and Simatai. Some of the most notable include the three-story 24-Window Tower, the elaborate Big Flower Watchtower, and the Sisters Towers, which sit close together.

The ruins of the Great Wall are completely exposed to the elements, and there’s little shade, so the best time to visit is during the cooler and dryer months of spring (April–May) or fall (September–October). To escape the crowds, avoid visiting during summer and over holiday weekends.

If you’re visiting the Gubeikou Great Wall from Beijing, it’s best to set aside a full day, including about four hours of travel time there and back. On arrival, spend as long as you like hiking along the ruins of the Great Wall, exploring the many watchtowers, and admiring the views.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting the Gubeikou Great Wall. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in and around Beijing:

• Mutianyu Great Wall

• Forbidden City (Palace Museum)

• Tiananmen Square

• Summer Palace

• Temple of Heaven

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Beijing.