Great Wall - When and where?
 

My family's going to be in Beijing in two weeks.

We'll be there from Monday through Thursday: Which of those four days would be the best to visit the Great Wall? We want to avoid the crowds.

Also, since these are weekdays - is Badaling still going to be over-run with tourists? Would Mutianyu be recommended instead?

Thanks!

don't miss the summer palace...we liked it the best of our stops

You are coming in peak dust season. My advice would be to go on the first possible day with clear skies. If you wake up and there's a blue sky, make that your day to head to the Wall. Crowds are more a problem on the weekend and during May 1-7. I always prefer Mu tian yu.

I recommend Simetai for visiting the Great Wall. It's about a 2 hour drive outside the city but worth the drive. It hasn't been restored, there, and is crumbling in places. Also the village at the foot of the wall is interesting. I was there last October, during the week when many Chinese people have a week off work for their liberation day. Badaling was really crowded but Simetai was not at all!

I don't think it matters what day of the week it is as far as it being crowded with tourists.

Hi

My wife and I went to the Simatai section in March a couple of years back. There was hardly any people there and the view was amazing. I have posted some moredetails and a few pictures on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com. Maybe you can find some useful info there :-)

Regards
Gard
Stavanger, Norway