The Great Wall of China was originally created in 221 BC by joining several local walls which were built by ducal states to defend their own territories. Construction continued up to the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), when the Great Wall became the world's largest military structure. The current measurement of this defensive wall, which stretches across northern China from east to west, is 7300 kilometers (4300 miles). Beijing without a doubt is the best place to experience the Great Wall.

In Beijing you can visit many different sections of the wall which is one of the largest allures for visiting Beijing. Different sections of the Great Wall present different features and different scenery. Badaling and Juyong Pass are the most visited and most easily accessible part of the Great Wall. However, compared with the Badaling-Juyong Tour, other Great Wall Tours cost a little bit more because of their distance and accessibility. The scenery of the Mutianyu Great Wall is extremely beautiful in autumn while the section between Jinshanling and Simatai require more physical stamina to climb. The Water Great Wall Huanghuacheng as well as the miniature of the Great Wall Huangyaguan is becoming more popular with hikers do to the magnificent scenery surrounding these areas.

Juyongguan Great Wall

Juyong Pass is regarded as one of the three greatest passes of Great Wall. The wall we can see today was built in the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and has been restored. The valley where Juyong Pass lies is steep and precipitous, giving Juyong Pass the reputation of being the most steep and dangerous pass of the Great Wall.

Juyong Pass and Badaling, not far away from each other, were vital gateways in the northwest region of Beijing. If you dread visiting the crowded Badaling Great Wall but hesitant to tackle the difficult trek from Simatai to Jinshanling, the much less visited, then the easily accessible Juyongguan Great Wall might be the perfect choice. Visiting the Juyongguan Great Wall, you will take a short but vigorous walk that loops along the mountains on either side of the pass. One of the best times to visit the Great Wall is in winter. Juyongguan is a great place to visit the Great Wall in winter. It is safe, as the wall here has been reconstructed and is in good condition. This section of the Great Wall has been equipped with handrails to help people ascend and descend on the somewhat slippery and steep stone walkway.

Badaling Great Wall

The best-preserved and most imposing section of the Great Wall is at Badaling. In Chinese, 'Bada' means 'giving access to every direction'. The name itself suggests its strategic importance. This section is made of large blue bricks. The road on the wall is wide enough to allow ten soldiers to march side by side along the wall. The highest point here is more than 731 meters (2,400 feet) above sea level.

The Badaling Great Wall is the most popular section, not only because of its close proximity to Beijing, but also because of the fantastic and scenery. The walk usually takes about 3.5 ~4hrs (depending on how many photos you shoot). If you are afraid of the long way to the top, you can take the 10-minute cable car which will take you most of the way to the top. The view is rewarding. The wall follows the contour of mountains that rise on behind the other until they finally fade and merge with distant haze. The Great Wall here has good tourist facilities, including handrails, a cable car and even a toboggan for a quick descent. Visiting the Badaling Section of the Great Wall in winter is an amazing experience. Due to the handrails located throughout this section, a visit in winter is safe.

Mutianyu Great Wall

Mutianyu is quite famous for its autumn foliage. This area provides great "people-free" photo opportunities. There are fewer people about, for the location is less accessible than Badaling. There you will enjoy a "wilder" Great Wall experience!

The forest-coverage rate there is over 90 percent. Surrounded by woodland and streams, this section takes on a different look in each season. Blossoming flowers in spring, flowing streams in summer, red leaves in autumn and white snow in winter make this part of the Great Wall the most photographic. Late autumn is definitely the best time to visit Mutianyu, when the leaves turn change colors and the air is cool.

It is definitely more relax walking on the Mutianyu than Badaling, for there are less steep steps here. However, you should still expect some strenuous walking. Magnificent in appearance, the Mutianyu Great Wall has been preserved intact. The overall infrastructure is good. Cable car and toboggan are also available.

Jinshanling Great Wall

The Jinshanling features complicated and well preserved fortification systems and possesses the largest number of watchtowers. The watchtowers are taller and retain the original Ming Dynasty appearance, each one built in a different architectural style. The walls were more solidly than Simatai. Here you can see the wall relatively undisturbed and in its original condition, so it has a special beauty.

Jinshanling Great Wall is quite steep and stony, trekking it can be a real challenge. Hike the wall here, and you will see the complicated watchtowers and neat turrets which show how the wall would have looked in its heyday.

The Simatai is often described with the following three words: perilous, diverse, and peculiar. The Simatai Great Wall is also called "Wild Great Wall", meaning a section that has not been restored. Much of the section is in a state of ruin with exposed bricks and incomplete structures and the walls that go along precipitous jagged ridges have mostly fallen down.

As the Simatai is not easily accessible and the long trek is strenuous, there are only a few people visiting. Although you may encounter some other tourists and a handful of vendors, you will still be able to explore the Great Wall in relative privacy. Crumbling staircases and ruined watchtowers are along the way. The trail in some parts is broken down and overgrown. The steps are very uneven, some very steep and some very shallow. Parts of the bricks are loose and you have to watch your footing. Cable car is also available at Simatai Great Wall. So don't worry about being trapped on the Great Wall.

Huanghuacheng Great Wall

This section is a resort with mountains, lakes and the ancient Great Wall. There are very few people to be found here, but it is becoming popular with hikers.

There is a lake and a crescent shaped reservoir nearby. And the lake breaks this section of the Great Wall into three segments naturally. Part of the wall is under water and becomes submerged at high tide. So the Huanghuacheng Great Wall is nicknamed "Water Great Wall". The scenery here is unique and will surprise you.

Huanghuacheng provides a challenge as it has no stone steps or no single smooth path like the ones found at Badaling and other sections of the Great Wall. The wall is quite steep and the surface is very slippery with many loose bricks. The walkway is mainly overgrown with trees making this a rough Great Wall experience.

Also you can pay a visit to the ancient chestnut garden under the Great Wall, dating back to the Ming Dynasty.

Located in the mountainous area of Tianjin's northern Ji County, the Huangyaguan is the longest restored section of the Great Wall with a length of 3052 meters. Huangya means "yellow cliff". The entire section is built on a precipitous ridge of yellowish mountains. With various forms of watch towers presented along the walls, and the largest tower of the Great Wall "Phoenix Tower" and the most unique "Baguaguan Castle", Huangyaguan Great Wall is considered to be a miniature of the Great Wall.

The Huangyaguan is regarded as an 'Impregnable Pass' in Tianjin. Being endowed with both natural beauty and cultural interest, it has become famous as a natural beauty spot and a great place for hiking the Great Wall. The sunset view at Huangyaguan is extremely magnificent.

China Odyssey Tours specialize in providing package China tours, discount Yangtze River cruises and best rate hotels. http://www.chinaodysseytours.com/tours/index.html/