He who has never been to the Great Wall is not a true man. Visit the Great Wall in spring.

1. Best Time to Visit 1. Peak Season: March to May is the best time to visit the Great Wall in spring. The temperature is pleasant (10-20°C), vegetation recovers, and mountain peach and apricot blossoms bloom one after another, creating a scene of intertwined greenery and flowers. 2. Avoiding Peak Crowds: Visit on a working day or early morning (7:00-9:00) to avoid peak crowds. If you are traveling during the Qingming Festival holiday, depart as early as possible to avoid traffic jams. 2. Recommended Sections of the Great Wall and Their Features 1. Badaling Great Wall - Highlights: A classic section with complete facilities. You can combine your visit with the Great Wall Culture Museum. The north section (North 1 to North 12) has a gentle slope, while the south section (South 1 to South 7) is less crowded and suitable for taking photos. - Special Experience: The Night Great Wall activity (light show, intangible cultural heritage performances) is suitable for evening visits and requires separate tickets. - Transportation: High-speed rail (Beijing North Station/Qinghe Station → Badaling Great Wall Station, 30 mins) or Bus No. 877 (direct from Deshengmen, 1 hr). 2. Mutianyu Great Wall - Highlights: Vegetation coverage exceeds 90%, and mountain flowers bloom in spring. The cable car goes directly to Enemy Tower No. 14, suitable for families and those with limited physical strength. - Route: It is recommended to hike to Enemy Tower No. 20 (the highest point), where you can overlook the panoramic view of the HuangHuaCheng Water Great Wall. 3. HuangHuaCheng Water Great Wall - Highlights: The spectacular sight of three sections of the Great Wall entering the water, combined with the beautiful scenery of lakes and mountains. The peninsula, Ming Dynasty chestnut garden, and Black Dragon Pool are connected, making it suitable for light hiking with children. - How to Play: Walk along the lakeside boardwalk + take a boat tour (recommended to rent a boat on the way back). The best time to view peach blossoms is around the Qingming Festival. 4. Niche Recommendations - Longquanyu Great Wall: A section of the Wild Great Wall with dense peach blossoms and few tourists. Self-driving or chartered cars are required. - Juyongguan Great Wall: You can take photos of the "train to spring" (Line S2) passing through the sea of flowers, which looks even more poetic when paired with ancient architecture. --- 3. Itinerary Planning Suggestions 1. One-Day Tour Routes - Classic Route: Badaling Great Wall (morning hike) + Great Wall Culture Museum (afternoon). - Nature Route: Hike around HuangHuaCheng Water Great Wall (3-4 hrs) + boat tour to enjoy flowers. - Photography Route: Juyongguan to photograph the train and sea of flowers (morning) + Mutianyu afternoon climb. 2. Multi-Day Tour Combinations - Great Wall + surrounding areas: Badaling + Gubei Water Town (night view), Mutianyu + Hongluo Temple (praying for blessings + flower viewing). --- 4. Practical Tips 1. Packing List - Clothing: Windbreaker, breathable sneakers (non-slip for some steep slopes), sun hat/sunglasses. - Supplies: 2 bottles of water per person + light snacks (bread, chocolate), as there are limited dining options on the Great Wall. 2. Tickets and Discounts - Book tickets in advance through the official WeChat public account. Adult tickets are CNY 40 during peak season, while seniors over 60 and students enjoy half-price or free admission. - Cable car/slide costs CNY 100-140 for a single trip, depending on your physical condition. Tickets for the Night Great Wall need to be purchased separately. 3. Safety and Etiquette - Avoid climbing unopened sections and follow the signs. Take your trash with you and protect the environment of the historical site. - It is windy in spring, so be careful not to drop your equipment while taking photos. Some sections of the Great Wall may be temporarily closed on rainy days. Check the weather forecast before traveling. --- 5. Photography Guide 1. Best Locations - Badaling North Tower 8 (panoramic view), Mutianyu Enemy Tower No. 14 (sea of flowers + enemy tower), Juyongguan Line S2 curve (train passing through flowers). - The light is soft in the early morning (6:30-8:00) or evening (16:00-17:30). Avoid the strong midday sunlight. 2. Composition Techniques - Use peach blossoms as the foreground and the Great Wall as the background. Use the lines of the wall to guide the viewer's eye and highlight the depth of field.