Best Time to Go to Great Wall of China 2025

The world-famous Great Wall of China is a must-visit attraction for a China trip. When planning a Great Wall of China tour, you need to know the best time to go; thus, you’ll gain the best travel experience. Stretching over 20,000 kilometers, the Great Wall of China winds through mountains, grasslands, and deserts, presenting beautiful scenery in four seasons. However, the best time to visit Great Wall of China is in spring and autumn.

Great Wall of China Weather

Despite its long stretch, the sections of Great Wall of China including Badaling, Mutianyu, Simatai, and Jinshanling are the most popular ones, which are located in and around Beijing. Beijing has a temperate continental climate with distinct seasons and a large diurnal temperature variation. Generally, January tends to be the coldest month, while the hottest days usually appear in July or August.

Average Temperature by Month

Best Time to Visit the Great Wall of China

Best Time to Hike the Great Wall of China

Hiking is one of the great ways to explore the charm of the Great Wall of China, and spring and autumn are the best times to go for the cool weather and stunning scenery. If you prefer a long trek, you can choose to camp nearby the Great Wall, which is allowed in some parts. You can find popular camping sites located at Gubeikou, Jiankou, and Huanghuacheng.

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Best Time for the Great Wall Photography

For photographers, never miss the golden time for taking breathtaking pictures in autumn from September to November. Every autumn, the yellow, orange, and red leaves cover the winding mountains, creating a splendid background for the Great Wall, which is heart-stirring and visually impactful. 

Best Time of the Year For Families with Kids

Spring break is undoubtedly the best time for families with kids to visit Great Wall of China. During this period, the weather is pleasant, and there are not as many tourists as in summer or autumn. 

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Visit the Great Wall in Spring: Mild Weather & Blossoms

Spring is a delightful season to visit Great Wall of China. During this period, everything comes back to life, and the mountains and hills surrounding the Great Wall are dotted with pink flowers, creating a picturesque scenery.

Weather 

The weather of Great Wall of China in spring is pleasant. It is still cold in March, and there is a large temperature difference between day and night. Warm spring starts from early April to early May, which is a good time to visit Great Wall of China. By the way, spring also brings strong winds and dust storms occasionally.

Crowding

Spring is relatively less crowded to visit the Great Wall of China. However, cultural and outdoor activities like the Apricot Flower Festival of Jingshanling Great Wall attract many people from China every year, creating a surge in the number of tourists.

What to Wear/Pack

A warm coat, sweater in March and early April;

A light jacket and long skirt in late April and May;

A pair of comfortable shoes;

A mask or scarf to prevent dust storms.

What to See and Do

Spring is an ideal time for hiking and walking along the Great Wall of China. Trekking along the routes and steps, you can breathe the fresh air and hear the birds’ chanting. Besides, you can take Beijing Suburban Railway Line S2 (nicknamed the "Spring Train") to enjoy the wonderful scenery along the way as it passes through a cherry blossom forest.

Visit the Great Wall in Summer: Early Hikes & Night Views

Though it is hot, summer is still an ideal time for exploring cultural landmarks like the Forbidden City and Summer Palace during your Beijing tours. It’s also a great time to take beautiful pictures of the Great Wall surrounded by green vegetation.

Weather

Beijing has high temperatures and plenty of rainfall in summer. But the Great Wall of China is relatively cool because it is located at a higher altitude and far away from the urban areas. July and August are the months with the heaviest rainfall, often experiencing heavy rains.

Crowding

July and August are the peak tourism months in China, during which thousands of tourists visit Great Wall of China every day, resulting in huge crowds. If you plan to schedule your trip during this time, you can choose sections with fewer tourists, such as Jinshanling and Huanghuacheng Great Wall.

What to Wear/Pack

T-shirts, long pants, and light, comfortable shoes;

Quick-drying T-shirts and a pair of hiking shoes for hiking;

A sunhat and sunglasses;

Umbrella or rain gears.

What to Do and See

Going on an early hike is a good choice to explore the Great Wall of China, during which you can enjoy the breeze and the lush green vegetation. Also, camping is popular on summer nights, which allows you to admire the tranquility of the Great Wall and the starry sky.

>> Related reading: Must-Knows of Visiting the Great Wall

Visit the Great Wall in Autumn: Best for Hiking & Scenery

With its favorable climate conditions and stunning natural scenery, autumn becomes the best time of the year to visit Great Wall of China.

Weather 

Beijing’s autumn is warm during the daytime and cool at night, with a temperature varying from 13°C to 23°C. There are frequent sunny days, and the skies are blue, making it suitable for hiking and photography.

Crowding

Autumn is also a peak season for tourism. Many Chinese tourists choose to visit Great Wall of China during China’s National Day Holiday from October 1st to 7th, so avoid visiting there during this time.

What to Wear/Pack

Long shirts, long pants, and a light coat;

A heavy coat for outdoor activities at night.

What to Do and See

Being the best time to travel to Great Wall of China, autumn allows you to do many things during your Great Wall of China tour. You can embark on hiking, mountain-climbing, photographing, and immersing yourself in the ancient culture of Great Wall.

Visit the Great Wall in Winter: Snowy Views & Fewer Crowds

Like other regions in the northern part of China, Beijing’s winter is cold and dry. Despite this, Great Wall of China has its unique charm for its snow views.

Weather 

The Great Wall’s weather in winter is chill and windy, with a temperature varying from -9°C to 1°C. There may be occasional snowfall, so you need to check the weather forecast before your trip.

Crowding

Winter is the slack season for tourism due to the cold weather. It is a good time for those who love snow and enjoy tranquility. While some parts of Great Wall of China may be closed due to bad weather, just confirm before you go. 

What to Wear/Pack

Down jackets, sweaters, winter hats, scarves, and gloves;

Moisturizing skincare products.

What to Do and See

In the cold winter, the Great Wall of China looks especially peaceful and magnificent when it is covered in snow. You can attend winter sports in Beijing near the Great Wall, such as skiing and skating. If you visit there during the Spring Festival, never miss the temple fairs, light events, and dragon and lion dances.

Best Day of the Week to Visit the Great Wall of China

Generally, the Great Wall of China is open seven days a week throughout the year. Weekdays from Monday to Friday, especially from Tuesday to Thursday, tend to be the best days of the week to visit the Great Wall, as there are relatively fewer tourists. Avoid visiting there on weekends, as locals and nearby tourists prefer to go there. While on Mondays, some attractions in Beijing may be closed, which makes the Great Wall an alternative place to go.

Best Time of the Day to Visit the Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China’s opening times vary from section to section. Below are the opening hours of some popular sections.

No matter in peak season or off-season, set out as early as possible in the morning to avoid the peak crowds. Alternatively, you can arrive there about 1-2 hours before closing time in the late afternoon. In this way, you'll be able to take stunning sunset photos without many people in the way.

The Worst Time to Visit the Great Wall of China

Though Great Wall of China welcomes visitors in all seasons, weekends and China’s public holidays are not ideal times for visiting there due to heavy crowds, including the Qingming Festival (April 4th - 6th), May Day Holiday (May 1st - 5th), National Day Holiday (October 1st - 7th), etc. 

How to Avoid Crowds

Huge crowds will influence your travel. Hence, you can plan your China tours and travel to Great Wall of China in late August or early September when schools are back in session. Alternatively, you can choose to visit there in January to early March when there are few tourists.

Plan Your Great Wall of China Tour with Easytourchina

There are many different sections of Great Wall, and each presents a different charm and is suitable for different tourists. If you need any help when planning your Great Wall of China tour or want to customize your tour, feel free to contact us at Easytourchina. We guarantee you a wonderful and unforgettable trip to the Great Wall of China.

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