We booked our flight to Beijing on short notice, only to find out at the airport that a snowstorm had led to class cancellations in the city. With absolutely no preparation, we landed and immediately felt the biting cold—it was so freezing that we questioned our life choices! We originally planned to visit the Great Wall on the 14th, but were notified that the shuttle bus to the Badaling section was suspended. It felt like everything was against us.
After asking around, we chose to take the subway and a high-speed train to reach the Great Wall. For someone who had never seen snow before, the sight of a snow-covered world was breathtakingly beautiful. But while the view was stunning, it was also seriously cold. For those planning to visit the Great Wall in the coming days, here are a few tips:
1️⃣ Prioritize Warmth (Bring Gloves!)
When we went, it was -5°C (23°F), and the biting wind made it even colder. My hands froze after only a few seconds without gloves, and the snowy steps were so slippery that we had to hold onto railings and ropes while descending. Some areas of the Wall were closed due to heavy snow, which was a bit disappointing, but the empty sections made for amazing photos!
2️⃣ Transportation Options
Both shuttle buses and high-speed trains are convenient ways to reach the Great Wall. Before heading out, check the official Beijing Tourist Center website to confirm whether the shuttle buses are running. If you’re taking the high-speed train back, remember to buy tickets in advance. We made the mistake of not doing this, only to find out that all tickets were sold out when we arrived at the station.
Attempting to take the shuttle bus back (which supposedly runs every 20 minutes) was also chaotic. Due to long lines, the staff advised us to walk about a kilometer to catch a public bus, but we ended up hiking even further through the snow and waiting ages for the 919 bus, only to encounter traffic heading back to the city. Here’s my advice: if you can take the high-speed train, avoid the bus altogether!
Overall, with some preparation, visiting the Great Wall in winter is absolutely worth it. The snow-covered Wall is truly a unique sight, adding a touch of softness and romance to the ancient structure—an experience you can’t fully appreciate without being there in person.
