I visited the Badaling section of the Great Wall on December 21st, and with temperatures well below freezing, the crowds were sparse—but we were definitely feeling the chill!
1️⃣ Clothing: I wore a thermal top, a thin fleece layer, a thin down jacket, a hooded sweatshirt, and a thicker down coat on top. For the bottom, I wore thermal leggings and fleece-lined pants, along with thick socks and fleece-lined sneakers. I also had gloves and a hat. However, I made the mistake of forgetting my scarf, which turned out to be essential!
2️⃣ Getting There: I took the high-speed train from Qinghe Station to Great Wall Station. My friends arrived by bus and shuttle. The shuttle driver told them that the wind was gusting at Level 9—a rare intensity. As I exited the station, I felt the strong gusts, which made me nervous. People around me were bundled up tightly, so I bought a neck warmer from a nearby shop before heading up to the Wall.
3️⃣ Climbing the North Slope: The experience was a mix of hot and cold! I started sweating as I climbed, so I took off my mask. But the wind was so intense that it turned my face red, almost painfully so. I ended up putting my mask back on. The cold was also relentless; the wind blew with such force that every gust had people stopping to brace themselves.
Since I’m not very physically fit and have a fear of heights, climbing was both nerve-wracking and exhausting. I was so anxious that I didn’t dare look back, even when my friends called me. In the end, I made it to the fourth watchtower on the north side before heading back down, which thankfully wasn’t as scary as I had anticipated.
After descending, I decided to try the south slope. However, on my way from South 2 to South 3, I kept hesitating due to the fierce wind, which even blew snow right into my face. I eventually gave up and made my way back down.
4️⃣ Takeaways: Although it’s freezing, it’s important not to overdress. You’ll heat up while climbing, so you don’t need too many layers. My outfit could’ve been a layer lighter, and my friend, who wore even more, found it cumbersome. Focus on protecting your head and hands. In Beijing’s sub-zero temperatures, we kept a pack of tissues in our coat pockets—an absolute necessity!
Even with the challenges, the Great Wall in winter is stunning, and the views make the experience truly worthwhile!