Beijing Shi Travel Forum

I have booked a tour which includes Juyongguan Great Wall. I heard it's a steep climb though my kids are already 10 & 12. Is this okay for them, as there seem to be no cable rides in this section? I am contemplating on passing the "compulsory tour" as it would of course include sidetrips to shops/tourist traps. Maybe we could go to Mutianyu instead or schedule another day for it...?

Thanks in advance.

We did a day tour to the Great Wall. Unfortunately I don't remember the point where the tour started. But though it was an organised tour, we were not taken to those 'tourist trap' places. As far as I know the most commercialised point is Badaling, which is also the closest to Beijing city itself

I have not been to the Juyongguan part of the great wall, but by the pictures on the internet the climbs do not not look unusually for a wall visit. One picture indicated that it was of the "newly repaired" wall. Actually all the pictures make it look new and safe without irregular steps, crumbling areas or stairs without barriers to falls. If your children are reasonably obedient I do not think you will have any problem. My experience with 10 and 12 year olds is that they are less likely to suffer from the climb then your are.

The first site that I looked at gave the subway stops where the bus (# 68) could be taken to get to Juyongguan. Going this way would just add to the adventure (subway + bus) for the kids, at least, and remove the rigidity of being on a tour.

Of course, you could just go on the tour you booked and perhaps picnic during any shopping visits or plan some kid friendly activity like assembling a puzzle-model of a great wall tower. (Cheap kits {< $2} are available in Beijing. If you find them at tourist shops at the wall they will be more expensive even after bargaining.) On the other hand, if your kids are like so many others maybe there is a great wall electronic game they would rather play, and the problem will be just what you do in the free time.

If you decide to go to Mutianyu you might (just might) plan to surprise your kids with a toboggan ride down from the wall. One of my sons at an older age took it and was thrilled. If I was you, I would not promise it because it might not be operating, might appear too dangerous, might have a size/age limit or might be too costly. In any case if the your answer is "No way!" be firm.

Maybe I was too limited when I suggested "an electronic board game". Check the internet and you will see various board games and electronic games themed around the great wall including the"Great Wall of China Board Game", and the "Great Wall of Words Game. Be aware that a game requiring internet connection might be useless or very expensive to use, so it would be better to avoid.

I have been to Juyongguan (briefly) on my way back from Badaling section and it is very steep in parts. I don't think your kids would have a problem with the place. As with most sections of the Great Wall, there is more than just that particular part since it's spread out everywhere so you can opt to climb or not. It's quite a beautiful section, I wanted to take photos and asked the driver to stop for me (we did a private tour) but he took us to the wrong side of the road so I didn't get what I wanted. I would love to go back, and even to attempt that climb (it's really cool!). Honestly, if this is your first time to the Great Wall, go to Mutianyu. It has the cable car or fun tobaggan ride down, and is spread out so that you can see almost every section just by turning around. Juyongguan is more of a place to go to once you have seen Mutianyu, Badaling, etc, as the predominant feature of this section is the steepness.

I've been to the Juyongguan section of the wall and although one side of it is VERY steep, I saw a lot of kids around the age of yours climbing and having a lot of fun doing it. If it's too much of a challenge for them though, the other section of the wall that goes across the river is a little less steep (and not as crowded when I was there). Both sides offer terrific views.

I think many tours are required to take you to shops. Some take you to more than others / stay longer at shops than others.

To add to the other comments, if you decided to go to Mutianyu, you can just arrange for a taxi to drop you off (try to get there before 9am), wait for a couple of hours, and drive you back. It is not too expensive (maybe 450-600 RMB, depending on your negotiation skills) and probably less hassle than trying to get there by bus. We asked our hotel concierge to arrange that for us the day before and the taxi driver showed up at the arranged time and we paid him when we got back to town. Mutianyu is about 1.5 - 2 hours away.

The toboggan (slideway) is fun and not scary at all, although you may be backed up a little. Really easy to control - push handle forward = speed up, pull back = brake. The cost is about 10 - 15 RMB more than if you get a return ticket on the enclosed cable car.

I'm not sure if things have changed since 2009, but I believe the slideway is operated by another company, so we had to buy a one way enclosed cable car ticket up to Tower 14 (not to be confused by the ski-lift ticket to Tower 6). Coming down, you need to find the signs to the slideway, which is located between Towers 5 and 6. We got our tickets there. Not sure if they've finally introduced a combined ticket.