How Long is the Great Wall of China
In China, people always call the Great Wall “Ten-Thousand Mile Long Wall (万里长城)”, but how long is the Great Wall of China exactly? It is officially announced as 21196.18km (13170 miles) in total after a more than 5 years’ measurement, among which 8851km (5,500 miles) still exist. 573km (356 miles) of the Great Wall stretches in Beijing, more than 40km (24.9 miles) of which has been restored.
How Long is the Great Wall of China in Kilometers (Miles)
According to a 5-year archaeological survey conducted by National Cultural Heritage Administration of China in 2012, the total length of the Great Wall in various dynasties is 21196.18 kilometers (13170 miles), about half the perimeter of the equator. It includes 43721 Great Wall heritage sites such as the walls, trenches, monolithic buildings, forts, and other related facilities. It is the first time that China has scientifically and systematically measured the length of the Great Wall.
How Long is Ming Dynasty Great Wall
The history of the Great Wall dates back to the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC - 771 BC). But after thousands of years, many parts of the Great Wall built in ancient dynasties are incomplete now.
Today, the Great Wall we are talking about usually refers to the relatively well-preserved part, which was built in the Ming Dynasty (A.D. 1368-1644). According to the official announcement in 2009, Ming Dynasty Great Wall spans from Hushan (虎山) in southeastern part of Liaoning Province (辽东) in the east to Jiayuguan (嘉峪关) in Gansu Province in the west. It travels through 156 counties in 10 provinces and municipalities directly under the Central Government, namely Liaoning, Hebei, Tianjin, Beijing, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi, Ningxia, Gansu, and Qinghai, with a total length of 8851.8km (5500.3 miles), of which 359.7km (223.5 miles) are trenches and 2232.5km (1387.2 miles) are natural defensive barriers.
Great Wall of China Length for Famous Sections
Badaling Great Wall: in Beijing, restored part 3.7km/2.3mi
Mutianyu Great Wall: in Beijing, restored part 5.4km/3.4mi
Simatai Great Wall: in Beijing, total length 5.4km/3.4mi
Jinshanling Great Wall: in Chengde, Hebei Province, total length 10.5km/6.5mi
Gubeikou Great Wall: in Beijing, total length more than 40km/25mi
Juyongguan Great Wall: in Beijing, total length 4.1km/2.5mi
Huanghuacheng Lakeside Great Wall: in Beijing, total length 12.4km/7.7mi
Huangyaguan Great Wall: in Tianjin, total length 42km/26mi
Hushan Great Wall: in Dandong, Liaoning Province, restored part 1.25km/0.75mi
Mutianyu Great Wall
Huanghuacheng Great Wall
Where does the Great Wall of China Start and End
The Great Wall is not a continuous wall as many people may think. In the history of China, more than 20 dynasties and states have built their own Great Wall in different locations and lengths. The one built by the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang (259-210 BC) starts from Lintao (临洮) in mid-Gansu Province and ends in the southeast of Liaoning Province. There is no specific record about how long this Wall is, but it is since then that the Wall is called Ten-Thousand Mile Long Wall. Another dynasty that has put tremendous effort in building the Great Wall is the Ming Dynasty. As mentioned above, its west-most and east-most points are Jiayuguan and Hushan. Throughout the history, some parts of the Great Wall have been discovered and some has been destroyed. It is now generally recognized that Yumenguan (玉门关) in northwestern Gansu is the west-most point and Hushan in Liaoning Province is the east-most point of the Great Wall.
How Long to Walk the Great Wall of China
Generally speaking, the walking speed of adults is about 4~5km/h. As there are many steps, ups and downs, and even crumbled paths on the Great Wall, it usually takes more time to walk there than flat ground. Supposing you walk 2.5km an hour, to finish the whole 21196.18km will need about 8478.5 hours, i.e. 353 days. Of course, it is just theoretically, because neither can you keep walking for a whole year, nor are all sections of the Great Wall totally available for hiking.
It is more practical to walk one or two sections of the Great Wall at a time. For most sections such as Badaling, Mutianyu, Simatai, Huanghuacheng, 3 hours will be sufficient to take a hiking tour (not including the transfer time which is about 2 hours by car from central Beijing to the site).
How to Plan A Great Wall Tour
There are several sections of the Great Wall around Beijing, each requiring about one day to visit, explore, and return to the city. For most travelers visiting Beijing, a trip to the Great Wall is a must-do. The Mutianyu Great Wall is a popular choice for many, as it offers stunning views, is less crowded, and is relatively close to Beijing. It is also equipped with convenient cable cars for easy access.
For hiking enthusiasts or those seeking a more in-depth experience, we recommend exploring some of the other iconic sections of the Wall. The Jingshanling Great Wall is one of the most scenic sections, while the Simatai Great Wall offers a more rugged, less-developed experience with a breathtaking night view. For a unique lakeside experience, visit the Huanghuacheng. If you're looking for a more traditional experience, the Badaling Great Wall is the most famous and beautiful, though it tends to be quite crowded. Since they are close to each other, the Mutianyu and Huanghuacheng sections can be visited in one trip, while Jinshanling and Simatai are often combined. A daytime visit to Jinshanling followed by a nighttime exploration of Simatai offers a unique experience you won't forget.
Top-Recommended Great Wall Hiking Tours
☛ 2 Days Jinshanling and Simatai Great Wall Wild Hiking
☛ 2 Days Jinshanling & Simatai Night Great Wall Tour
☛ 2 Days Mutianyu & Huanghuacheng Lakeside Great Walls Hiking Tour
If it's your first time in Beijing, don't miss the city's other iconic attractions, such as the Forbidden City, a masterpiece of imperial architecture, and the serene Summer Palace with its beautiful gardens and lakes. Be sure to visit the Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or explore the Lama Temple for a taste of Tibetan Buddhism in Beijing. With so much to see, Beijing offers a rich blend of history and culture that’s sure to leave you inspired!
Top-Recommended Beijing Tours including Great Wall Experiences
☛ 4 Days Classic Beijing Tour Package with Mutianyu Great Wall
☛ 4 Days Beijing Essence Tour with Simatai Great Wall Night Sightseeing
☛ 4 Days Classic Beijing Tour with Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking
Jinshanling Great Wall
Mutianyu Great Wall
Forbidden City
Great Wall of China Facts
- Why was the Great Wall of China Built
- How Old is the Great Wall of China
- Can You See the Great Wall from Space
- How was the Great Wall of China Built
- Where is the Great Wall of China Located
- Who Built the Great Wall of China
- When was the Great Wall of China Built
- How Big is the Great Wall of China
- How Tall is the Great Wall of China
Great Wall of China Guide
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