It’s visible from the moon, it’s one of the world’s great wonders, and it features on just about every intrepid travellers’ bucket list – the Great Wall of China is huge, which begs the question: which section is the best?
It’s not an easy question to answer, as it all really depends on a number of factors…
Sure, we could ask Matt Damon, star of the upcoming film The Great Wall, which part he thinks is best. But isn’t it better to leave such questions to the experts?
Thankfully we’ve gathered a bunch of experts with us today from Wendy Wu Tours to help explain which section of the Great Wall you should visit.
But make sure you read until the end, because that’s where we’ll give you the deets on what you can do to WIN a free trip to see the Great Wall for yourself as a part of a ultra-awesome Wendy Wu Tours agent incentive.
Shall we begin?
JUYONGGUAN: BEST FOR THE FIRST TIMER
If you’ve only got a limited amount of time in Beijing, or you’re a little uneasy about walking too much, then you should definitely visit the Juyongguan section of the Great Wall.
Not only is this beautifully restored section of the wall close to capital, but it’s also the most user-friendly: visiting Juyongguan doesn’t require any step climbing.
HUANGHUACHENG: BEST FOR NATURE LOVERS
Credit: edward stojakovic @ Flickr
Those with a little more fitness under their belts can visit the Huanghuacheng section of the Great Wall. Offering picture-postcard views of the surrounding lakes and countryside, Huanghuacheng was built in 1575 and has only been partially restored, which gives visitors a better idea of what the original wall looked like.
Although climbs can be steep at times, visiting this section of the wall is totally rewarding, and you just can’t beat those views.
MUTIANYU: BEST FOR THE AVID PHOTOGRAPHER
Credit: drnan tu @ Flickr
Huanghuacheng may have the prettiest landscape, but the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall is so damn photogenic, with its commanding watchtowers looking pretty awesome from which ever angle you choose to shoot.
Adding to its appeal is the fact that Mutianyu is one of the best preserved sections of the Great Wall, and that you have to take a cable car to reach it! The Mutianyu section is also accessible to wheelchair bound travellers.
JINSHANLING: BEST FOR KEEN HIKERS
Taking a cable car is cool and all, but nothing beats climbing to the top of the Great Wall using nothing but your own two feet, and working up quite a sweat in the process!
That’s what Jinshanling is all about. This section of the Great Wall will make you work for your rewards, but it’s all so worth it. Being much further away from Beijing than Juyongguan, for example, Jinshanling is also much quieter, and it’s here that you’ll appreciate the stark landscape which helps you see why such a wall was built in the first place.
GUBEIKOU: BEST FOR THE ADVENTURER
If sticking to the tried and test tourist trail ain’t your thing, then forget about the other sections of the Great Wall and make a beeline for Gubeikou. This magnificent section of the Wall, very old and in a state of ruin, is over 140 km from Beijing and remains completely unrennovated – that means you can walk on the very same bricks that were laid here over 600 years ago!
Gubeikou is the most authentic section of the wall, and offers travellers the chance to see the wall in all its original, untouched glory in a landscape that’s worthy of hanging on your wall.
WHICH IS BEST? THERE’S ONLY ONE WAY TO FIND OUT…
Experience is the only way you or your clients will ever be able to answer this question. And thankfully, Wendy Wu Tours is making it even easier for both you and they to find out.
Clients that book before 16 March can have their partner fly free when they make a booking on selected group tours. For solo travellers, they’ll be able to save 50 percent on single supplements as a part of a cool Wendy Wu Tours sale.
And for you? Make five bookings between 1 Jan and 31 Mar, and complete the new Wendy Wu Tours agent learning program – Wuniversity – and you can earn yourself a free China tour, taking you to see the Great Wall for yourself. But hurry: this offer is only available to the first 30 agents.
Do you have a favourite section of the Great Wall?
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