Great Wall multiple visits

Question

Hello.

Looks like I'll probably have 9 full days in Beijing as my plan to fly into Xi'An for three days isn't workable at the moment.

So I'm thinking of doing two separate visits to two different sections.

One in daytime and one in the evening (or at least, still be there when evening comes).

I will be staying in the Wangfujing street vicinity.

First week of April.

For the daytime visit, I'm unsure if I should combine either the Ming Tombs OR the Summer Palace with either Badaling OR with Mutianyu wall sections

There's four different possible combinations there.

Alternatively, if there is enough to occupy at least half a day at one of the wall sections, I could just do the Great Wall on its own on one day and do the Ming Tombs and Summer Palace together on one other day.

Can I have some thoughts on that please, for my daytime wall visit.

Secondly, regarding the evening wall visit.

I can see some references to Gubei Water Town and a wall section next to it.

I understand this place is lit up at night

Is this somewhere I can visit without an overnight stay? How long is the wall section open for here?

Is it worth visiting the town all day and leave after an evening meal?

Is it better to head there from Wangfujing after 10:00 to avoid traffic?

What's the likelihood of easily getting a taxi there, and another one back at night?

Could really use some info, guidance or a link to help me with this activity as I know almost nothing.

Thanks

Answer

With 9 full days in Beijing, splitting your Great Wall visits between two different sections is a good idea. Here’s some guidance for planning your daytime and evening Wall visits, along with nearby attractions.

Daytime Great Wall Visit:

For a daytime visit, the main Wall sections accessible from Beijing are Badaling and Mutianyu. Both can be combined with nearby attractions, but travel time and your interests will guide your choice.

Badaling + Ming Tombs: Badaling is the most famous and heavily visited Wall section. Pairing it with the Ming Tombs makes sense because they are geographically close. This combination can comfortably fill a full day if you start early. Note that Badaling can be crowded, especially in April with spring visitors.
Badaling + Summer Palace: This is less ideal due to travel distances. Summer Palace is on the opposite side of the city, so combining it with Badaling would involve long drives.
Mutianyu + Ming Tombs: Mutianyu is less crowded than Badaling and has beautiful scenery. Pairing it with the Ming Tombs is feasible but will require careful timing; you could start at Mutianyu in the morning, spend 2–3 hours there, then head to the Ming Tombs in the afternoon.
Mutianyu + Summer Palace: Travel distances make this combination less efficient. You would spend more time in transit than sightseeing.

Alternatively, you can dedicate one full day to the Great Wall alone (Mutianyu or Badaling) and another day to combining the Ming Tombs and Summer Palace. This option reduces the stress of transit and allows more time at each site.

Evening Great Wall Visit (Gubei Water Town):

Gubei Water Town is a restored water town adjacent to a less crowded section of the Great Wall. It is known for being beautifully lit in the evening, creating a picturesque experience.

Yes, you can visit without staying overnight. The town and Wall section generally remain open into the evening, with lights on until roughly 9:30–10:00 p.m. (check local updates for exact times in April).
Spending a full day in the town is an option, as there are scenic streets, restaurants, and cultural displays. You could have an early dinner there and leave after evening lights.
Traveling from Wangfujing after 10:00 a.m. is reasonable to avoid morning city traffic. The drive typically takes 1.5–2 hours depending on traffic.
Regarding taxis: Getting a taxi from Beijing city to Gubei Water Town is challenging, especially for a round trip. Most visitors use private car services, day tours, or pre-arranged transport. Taxis in the town at night can be scarce, so pre-arranged transport is highly recommended.

Summary Recommendations:

Daytime Wall: Mutianyu alone or Mutianyu + Ming Tombs depending on whether you want a relaxed pace or multiple sites.
Evening Wall: Gubei Water Town is worth visiting for the night lights; consider a private driver or organized tour to avoid taxi difficulties.
Start early for daytime Wall visits to maximize sightseeing before crowds increase.
Allow extra travel time for traffic both to and from the Wall sections, especially if combining with other attractions.

Overall, dedicating one full day to Mutianyu or Badaling, one day for Ming Tombs + Summer Palace, and one evening at Gubei Water Town offers a balanced itinerary, minimizing rush while seeing the highlights of Beijing’s Wall and nearby cultural sites.

Great Wall multiple visits

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