World Wonder in a Hunch: How to See The Great Wall of China on a Long Layover

Transiting through China can be a real pain in the butt. Most layovers will be in Shanghai or Beijing, and though I’ve never been to the Shanghai airport, I can confirm the Beijing one is a bit chaotic. If you’re flying to or throughout Asia, you’re likely to see an option to fly with AirChina, meaning you’ll likely have a layover option in Beijing. Why not take advantage of the situation and extend the layover so you can get out and explore? A few days is obviously not enough to scrape the surface that is the large nation of China, but it is enough to see a World Wonder.

Booking The Flight

Booking the correct flight to ensure you can have a long layover is trickier in China than it is elsewhere. That’s because China has an incredibly intricate visa process. To be eligible for a Chinese “transit” visa, you need a flight that goes from Point A –> Beijing –> Point B. To dumb it down, you cannot fly Tokyo –> Beijing –> Tokyo. You cannot fly New York –> Beijing –> New York. You also cannot book Point A –> Beijing –> another city in China.

Pre-Arrival

Before arriving in China, you’re going to want to download a VPN. Facebook, Google, Instagram, Google, and more are completely banned in China. They can only be accessed via VPN. This is also including WhatsApp, so if you plan to talk to friends or family, absolutely download a VPN before arrival. I downloaded ExpressVPN and it worked great!

On Arrival At The Airport

I have a full breakdown of this on my post How To Obtain And Utilize China’s 144-Hour Transit Visa. Once you have the flight booked, so long as you fall within the correct protocols, you are eligible to obtain a visa on arrival. Prepare for a lot of extra time if you plan to get the visa on arrival. There will be plenty of people wanting to do the same. More importantly, be extra polite. I witnessed a few people be denied due to their poor attitudes, whether arguing with immigration officers or loudly complaining about the long wait. You will also notice signs that say, “When Entering The People’s Republic of China, the following items are prohibited: drugs, guns, mental illness” to name a few. It definitely makes for an experience!

Getting From The Airport To The City Of Beijing

There are a few options to get into the city from the airport. One of the cheaper ways to do this is by taking the Airport Express. This will take you into the city center, and will connect you to other major subway lines. However, if you’re staying outside of the city of Beijing, like I did when I stayed with a family, your only real option is a taxi. Despite Beijing being overall affordable, taxis to and from the outer-limits of the city can be pricey. You can get a cab in the basement of the airport, but make sure to get cash out! It’s also worth noting that the transit visa does not allow you to live the general confines of the city of Beijing.

The Great Wall Itself

The Great Wall has a ticket entry price of 40 Yuan for adults, or $5.80. These tickets can be purchased near every single entrance. Once you enter, you can walk as much or as little of the wall you desire. The wall is over 13,000 miles long, so it’s totally up to you how you decide to spend your time. If you want, you can hire a tour guide, but I don’t believe it’s necessary. There is an option for a “long layover tour” on Viator for $94, but I don’t think this is necessary as it’s all pretty easy to navigate on your own. There are many eateries near different entrances of the Great Wall, so make a day of it and grab some grub after or during exploring.

If You Have Extra Time…

Beijing has a lot more to offer than just The Great Wall. Though I did not see much due to where I stayed, there are plenty of options for exploring for those who stay in the city center. The Forbidden City, The Temple of Heaven, and of course, the plethora of street food in Beijing are all worth making some time for. If you’ve done any of these, leave a comment below, since I did not personally experience any of them!

Getting Back To The Airport

Similarly to how you got into Beijing, you can take the Airport Express or a private taxi back to the airport. Most hotel and hostel accommodations will be able to assist you in this process. Get to the airport early, because Beijing International Airport is extremely busy. Get there even earlier if you’re a woman, because they’ll let all the men skip you in line at security. True story. Airport agents also made both myself and everyone around me empty out every single item in our bags. It took forever! Get to the airport with ample time and you’ll be a lot less stressed in case you are to run into similar issues.

Well… Is It all Worth It?

Absolutely! As someone who has seen 6/7 World Wonders, The Great Wall just might be the most stunning one. It is unbelievably surreal to be standing in a country as large as China on a monument as old as The Great Wall. Yes, the visa process is tricky, and yes, entering China is an intense process, but I would do it all again in a heartbeat for another chance to see The Great Wall.