Place to visit
Great Wall of China, China: what it is and when to go
Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications built along the historical border of China (长城). Interests: History. The best time to visit is March to May and September to October. In June there are 14 h 24 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 35. Here is what it is, where it lies, when to come, how to get there and what else is nearby to turn it into a trip.
In a nutshell
- What it is
- Series of fortifications built along the historical border of China · History
- Local name
- 长城
- Where
- China
- Best time
- March to May and September to October.
- Nearest airport
- XIY Xi'an, 162 km as the crow flies
- Protection
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Coordinates
- 35.72224, 107.92528
What it is and where
Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications built along the historical border of China (长城).
Its coordinates are 35.72224, 107.92528; the nearest main airport is Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY, Xi'an), 162 km as the crow flies. How to get around China (train, car, bus) is covered in its country guide.
Where it is (opens in a new tab)Directions (opens in a new tab)
- Protection
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
It is one of the History places in China. In Kokai it is already on your trip map next to the places you save yourself, and it goes into a day's plan with one tap.
When to go
The best time to visit Great Wall of China is March to May and September to October.
- JanPossible9:50
- FebPossible10:42
- MarBest time11:44
- AprBest time12:55
- MayBest time13:53
- JunPossible14:24
- JulPossible14:12
- AugPossible13:21
- SepBest time12:13
- OctBest time11:04
- NovPossible10:04
- DecPossible9:35
Best timePossibleBetter notHours of daylight
In June there are 14 h 24 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 35. Daylight hours are calculated from the site's latitude for the 15th of each month; when planning a full day on foot they matter as much as the weather.
When to go to China in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in its country guide.
Before you go to China
To enter China there are 9 things to sort out before you leave, starting with “Passport valid for six months”: they are all, with their deadlines, in the China checklist. Currency: Yuan or renminbi (CNY); plugs: Type A, C and I · 220 V · 50 Hz (you need an adapter); emergencies: 110 police · 120 ambulance · 119 fire brigade.
In Kokai you tick off the checklist inside your trip, and each item reminds you when it is time to do it.
What is nearby
- North Grotto TempleCave temple in Qingyang City, Gansu, China38 km
- South Grotto TempleCave temple in Jingchuan County, Gansu, China59 km
- Dafosi GrottoesArchaeological site73 km
- Pagoda of DonghuachiPagoda in Huachi County, Gansu, China75 km
- Kaiyuan Temple Pagoda, BinxianTower78 km
Distances are as the crow flies. Everything else is in the China guide.
More in China: History
- Forbidden City: Chinese imperial palace in Beijing
- Terracotta Army: collection of ancient Chinese military statues
- Potala Palace: 7th-century Tibetan fortress and palace in Lhasa, rebuilt in the 17th century as the winter seat of the Dalai Lamas
- Tiananmen Square: public square in Beijing, China
- Temple of Heaven: imperial complex of religious buildings in Beijing, China
- Mogao Caves: caves in Dunhuang City, Gansu, China
Every China place under History, each with its season, is on its page.
Frequently asked questions
What is Great Wall of China?
It is a series of fortifications built along the historical border of China (长城 in the local language).
When is the best time to visit Great Wall of China?
March to May and September to October. In June there are 14 h 24 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 35.
How do you get to Great Wall of China?
The nearest main airport is Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY), 162 km as the crow flies. From there, directions opens the route on the map, and how to get around China is explained in its country guide.
How do I add it to my trip?
With one tap. In Kokai it is already on the China map, next to the places you save yourself: add it to a day's plan, give it a time and, if you like, get a reminder when you pass nearby.
What else is around here?
Nearby you have North Grotto Temple, South Grotto Temple, Dafosi Grottoes. The rest is in the China guide.
Keep reading
- History707 places for history in China, from Forbidden City to spots hardly anyone knows. Best time: March to May and September to October. Each with its own season by altitud
- ChinaBefore travelling to China: 9 things worth sorting out, each with its deadline. Right now no visa is needed: China maintains a unilateral exemption for Spanish citizens…
- Where to travelPick what you fancy (mountains, beaches, museums…) and the months you have free, and Kokai tells you which countries to go to and what to see there.
Data from OpenStreetMap, licensed under the ODbL, and from Wikidata, CC0. More about Great Wall of China on Wikipedia. Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in credits.