Mutianyu Great Wall

The Great Wall winds for thousands of kilometres across northern China, and Mutianyu, about one and a half hours from central Beijing, is one of the finest places to walk it. This Ming-dynasty section has been carefully restored, with more than twenty watchtowers along a forested ridge, and is usually far less crowded than Badaling.

A cable car or chairlift carries you up to the wall, saving the steep climb, and you can walk between the towers for as long as you like. For the descent, children and the young at heart can ride the toboggan, a winding metal track down the hillside.

Go early in the morning and wear sturdy shoes, as the wall is steep in places with uneven steps. Spring and autumn bring the best weather and colours.