Great Wall sunset tour from Beijing: Gubeikou and Jinshanling

Catch the sunset from two sections of the Great Wall in a single afternoon.

A private guided sunset tour of the Great Wall from Beijing covers Gubeikou and Jinshanling in one 9-hour day, with hotel pickup, lunch, snacks and an English- or Mandarin-speaking guide included. The 11am start suits travelers who skip early departures, and the route reaches the wall's best photo spots by dusk when crowds have left. Optional red wine can be arranged for the sunset moment.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Gubeikou Great Wall1h 30m · entry included
2. Great Wall from Jinshanling to Simatai2h · entry included

Sunset tour at Gubeikou and Jinshanling

• Climb to broken tower at Gubeikou
• Walk eastward to General Tower
• Take photos of Gubeikou Mountain
• Trek Jinshanling Great Wall to photo spot
• Enjoy sunset view on Great Wall

The experience

Not everyone wants to wake before dawn for the Great Wall. This tour leaves at 11am and builds the day around the sunset instead, which means you start at Gubeikou village with a short climb to a broken tower, then walk eastward with photography stops toward General Tower. That stretch takes about 90 minutes and shows you the mountain's true shape. From there you move to Jinshanling, 150km from downtown Beijing, for a 1-hour trek to the best vantage point on the wall. Jinshanling stays quiet on weekdays and weekends alike. If it is not a holiday, you are often the only people watching the light change.

The guide speaks English or Mandarin and walks the route with you, pointing out the sections worth photographing and the moments worth stopping for. Hotel pickup and drop-off bracket the day, so you do not arrange transport. Lunch and snacks come with the tour, along with bottled water. The walking distance is flexible (between 5 and 10 kilometers depending on your pace and how many stops you want), so you set the rhythm. If you want a bottle of red wine for the sunset moment, the guide can arrange it for USD 35, paid directly to them at the end.

Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. The tour runs rain or shine. If you have specific dietary needs, let the operator know when you book: vegetarian options are available. Children must be with an adult. The route works for all fitness levels, though it does involve walking uphill and along uneven stone.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• professional guide in English or Mandarin.
• lunch and snacks.
• bottled water.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport between sites.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 11:00

Book up to16h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 17 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by Beijing walking tours

Is this one for you?The 11am start and flexible 5–10km walking pace suit travelers who skip early mornings and want to set their own rhythm on the wall. The route reaches Jinshanling by sunset when the crowds have gone, so the light and solitude are what you pay for, not the rush.

Traveler reviews

4.98★★★★★★★★★★

323 verified traveler reviews

5 ★319

4 ★3

3 ★1

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

What is the walking distance on this Great Wall tour?

The flexible walking distance is between 5 and 10 kilometers across both Gubeikou and Jinshanling, depending on your pace and how many photography stops you take along the way.

Why is Jinshanling a good choice for sunset photos?

Jinshanling sits 150km from downtown Beijing and stays quiet even on weekends and holidays: on most days you are the only people on the wall by sunset, which means unobstructed views and light without crowds in the frame.

What time does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at 11am and runs for 9 hours, so you return to your hotel in the late evening after the sunset viewing at Jinshanling.

Is lunch included, and can you accommodate dietary restrictions?

Lunch and snacks are included in the tour price. Vegetarian options are available if you let the operator know when you book and mention any other specific dietary requirements.

Can I add wine to the sunset experience?

Yes, the guide can arrange a bottle of red wine for USD 35, which you pay directly to them at the end of the tour.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

The tour operates in all weather conditions, so dress appropriately for rain, wind or cold depending on the season.