Travelling is an excellent way to experience life by broadening your horizons and learning things, which applies to both adults and kids. Therefore, for the rest of the year, why not thoroughly plan and take your kids on a vacation they'll never forget?
The Great Wall of China, known as one of the Seven World Wonders of the World bearing exceptional testimony to the ancient Chinese civilizations, is always considered as the essential part of the best family tour to China. Its grandness and magnificence will impress everyone at first glance and show children an unparalleled achievement in human history! Click to see the best Great Wall Tours of China.
What is the Great Wall of China?
The Great Wall of China is a series of defensive fortifications built against the nomadic groups from the north, some of which can be traced back to the 7th century BC during the Spring and Autumn Period and Warring States Period. Later, Qin Shi Huang, the founder of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) and the first emperor of a unified China, had these earlier walls joined together and extended. At this point, the Great Wall made its debut as a whole.
The Great Wall of China has on and off been rebuilt and enhanced ever since then, until the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), when the Great Wall became the world's largest military structure. The Ming constructed walls to prevent itself from Mongolian invasion.
When facing a defensive structure like the Great Wall, children will be excited to learn about its function, military strategy status, legendary history, as well as the building and engineering skills 2000 years ago. The Great Wall of China is indeed an architecture of curiosities. The children may wonder how this great project was built? Who built the Great Wall of China? How tall the Great Wall? How long the Great Wall? And many more interesting questions.
The Great Wall of China stretches 21,196 km (13,171 mi) through deserts, grasslands, mountains, and plateaus from Liaodong in the east to Lop Nur Lake in the west, from the present-day Sino-Russian border in the north to Taohe River in the south. Some walls are now in ruins or have disappeared.
It is mainly made of rammed earth, stones, and wood in the early times. In the Ming Dynasty, bricks and tiles were also used to build the Great Wall, especially for areas with rougher terrain. The construction demonstrates the wisdom and perseverance of the ancient Chinese. However, to build it, the human cost was huge, as hundreds of thousands of workers died.
Strolling on the Great Wall, the horse tracks, watchtowers, garrison stations, shelters, and fortresses and passes along the Wall can still remind us of the cries of battle. When children are encouraged to explore it, what is likely to come to their minds?
Many parts of the Ming Great Wall are located in the north of present-day Beijing and have been renovated and open to tourists, including Juyong Pass, Badaling, Mutianyu, Jinshanling, and Simatai. An exploration to the Great Wall is definitely the highlight of any family tour to Beijing.
Recommended Beijing Tour for Family with Kids:
★ 5-day Beijing Family Tour: to Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Hutong...
What is Best Section of the Great Wall of China for Family with Kids
Among all, Badaling Great Wall is the most well-preserved but with daunting crowds. So we suggest families traveling with children visit the Mutianyu section, an hour north of Beijing, featuring delightful pastoral scenery. Or go to the remote Jinshanling section of the Great Wall with striking mountain views.
Simatai section of the Great Wall is more authentic, as it reminds what it looked like 500 years ago. You can also consider visiting the Great Wall in winter. Children will definitely love this magnificent construction in the snow! Moreover, visiting Beijing in winter is more budget-friendly.
| | Mutianyu Great Wall | Badaling Great Wall | Simatai Great Wall | Jinshanling Great Wall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core features | Beautiful scenery, less crowded | Most famous and classic | Steep and original, night tour and connection to Gubei Water Town | Authentic appearance, photographer's paradise, entry-level choice for hiking enthusiasts |
| Family-Friendly Rating | "★★★★★ Best for all ages, especially suitable for young children (3+)" | ★★★☆☆ Convenient facilities but often crowded | ★★★★☆ Only suitable for older (10+), energetic, adventure-seeking children | ★★★★☆ Suitable for teenagers (12+) or families with hiking experience |
| Transport Convenience | "Convenient ~1.5-hour drive from Beijing, cable car/chairlift/toboggan available" | Most convenient Highway and special train lines, cable car/slide available | Relatively far ~2.5-hour drive from Beijing, best combined with Gubei Water Town visit | Farthest ~2.5-3-hour drive from Beijing, some sections are steep |
| Physical Demand | Low to Medium | Low | High | Medium to High |
| Main Appeal for Kids | The 1580-meter toboggan ride down! Easy to explore | / | Unique atmosphere of the night tour | Dense watchtowers, Take incredible family photos |
Top 4 Things to Do at the Great Wall with Kids
Besides hiking, there are plenty of interesting things you can do with kids at the Great Wall of China. Below, we take you through some of the best and most interesting kid-friendly family activities the Great Wall of China has to offer.
1. Slide Down from the Great Wall
Visit a less-crowded Great Wall section at Mutianyu, which is regarded as the most beautiful section of the Great Wall of China. It can be hard to engage children in history, but a toboggan ride will surely make them excited.
You can take a cable car up or walk uphill, have some walk on the wall, and enjoy a toboggan slide ride down to the bottom of Mutianyu Great Wall. With a total length of 1,580 meters, the slide rail can take about 5 to 10 minutes, depending on your speed.
Warm Note:
Children under the age of 10 have to be accompanied by a parent, and the double toboggan is available for one kid and one adult.
2. Camp on the Great Wall
An overnight camping trip on the Great Wall of China is a real adventure and once-in-a-lifetime experience your children will never forget. Instead of a busy day trip to a touristy section, camping on the Great Wall of China gives you enough time to be amazed at the spectacular panoramic view of the Great Wall ridges with no crowds. Sleep in your tent on a watchtower, watch sunset and sunrise, enjoy the stars at night...
★ 3-day Great Wall of China Trekking Tour with Camping
3. Walk on the Great Wall at Night
Most people who visit China simply take a quick day tour to the popular renovated section of the Great Wall. If you are looking for some cool and unique Great Wall activities for both adults and kids, a night tour to Simatai Great Wall is your way to go. It offers you a chance to experience one of the wonders of the world different from the daytime. Lit up at night, the Great Wall at Simatai becomes a glittering dragon in waves. You can also appreciate the stunning scenery of the brightly lit Gubei Water Town.
Popular Night Tour to Simatai Great Wall:
★ 3-day Classic Beijing and Simatai Great Wall Night Tour
4. Picnic on the Great Wall of China
There are limited choices for restaurants when visiting the Great Wall of China, especially if you are hiking on a remote and wild section of the Great Wall. It would be an authentic experience for you and the little wanderlusters to soak in the view and have a picnic on the Great Wall. Touring with Easy Tour China, our tour guide will help prepare some packed foods, fruits, and drinks for you and kids to enjoy on the Great Wall.
Practical Tips for Planning Your Trip of China Great Wall with Kids
When to Go and Dates to Avoid:
When is it the best time to visit the Great Wall of China? it is beautiful all year round, with flower blossom in spring, lush scenery in summer, fall foliage in autumn, and snow-capped walls in winter. So, simply check the weather forecast and choose a day with comfortable weather and temperatures.
One of the most iconic sights in China, the Great Wall can be very crowded sometimes. Therefore, avoid public holidays, including China Golden Week and May Day Holiday, when full of domestic tourists, to enhance your children's experiences. Why not visiting the Great Wall during off-peak seasons? This way, you can enjoy the scenic views and take photos without the crowds.
What to Pack
Just prepare the necessary items, including sunscreen (especially for summer), a hat, snacks and a water bottle. These items can ensure that the children feel comfortable and safe throughout the trip. You can also bring a first aid kit, which contains necessary medicines, band-aids and insect repellent to prevent emergencies.
Choose the right footwear
Wear walking shoes that are supportive and comfortable. This can reduce the risk of slipping and falling, as some parts of the Great Wall have uneven steps.
Review History
Before setting off, introduce the history of the Great Wall to your children. Even better, prepare some interesting stories about the Great Wall. During the visit, involve them in discussions and encourage them to ask questions, making this trip an enjoyable and educational experience.
Plan interesting activities
To make the children's trip to the Great Wall more enjoyable - and here's another great idea - plan some interesting activities and games that can be carried out while exploring the Great Wall. You can bring binoculars and encourage the children to look for wild animals and interesting geological features. Additionally, you can play games like "Guess Who" or "20 Questions", which will allow the children to have fun while also enabling them to learn about history.
Explore, Play, and Learn at the Great Wall with ETC
Step into storybook charm on a tailor-made family trip to the Great Wall with the assistance of Easy Tour China experts. We'll make your adventure a lifetime experience that combines education, exploration, and family bonding. Check out our best-selling China family tours with the Great Wall:
Further Reading:
- Unique Things to Do on the Great Wall of China
- 13 Best Places to Visit the Great Wall of China
- Top 10 Travel Experiences for Expats Families in China