The 10km stretch of the Great Wall from Jinshanling to Sumatai makes for an unforgettable hike. Wake early for the three-hour bus or taxi ride to the start and expect to return to Beijing in the early evening. The steep and crumbling steps are manageable. The only real hazard are the hawkers, whose stamina is pursuing tourists with bags full of bottled water and canned beer is as infuriating as it is impressive.
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Don't go to Badaling if you have a choice. Head further afield to Simatai. If you want to view the Wall a lot closer to Beijing then go to Huang Hua Cheng local bus Nos. 969, 916 go to Huai Rou then catch "mini" buses to Zhuang Dao Kou Village where you can also stay a night. It's also possible to hike on the top of the wall to Xi Shui Yu.
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