Best Towns and Villages To Visit Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China doesn't just pass through major tourist sites — it runs through dozens of small towns and rural villages, many of which offer a quiet, local experience you can’t get at the bigger sites. Whether you’re interested in untouched, rugged parts of the Wall or peaceful towns with mountain views, these villages sit right next to the Wall and offer a much more laid-back way to explore this world wonder.

Here are the best villages and small towns right by the Great Wall — from east to west across China.

Xizhazi Village, Beijing (Jiankou Great Wall)

Hidden in the mountains north of Beijing, Xizhazi Village is one of the most well-known base villages for hiking the wild Jiankou Great Wall. The Wall literally sits right above the village. You'll find homestays, simple guesthouses, and mountain paths that lead straight up to the Wall — no ticket gates, no tour buses, just you and the climb.

Highlights

• Direct access to rugged, photogenic sections of the Wall
• Village life with chickens, cornfields, and mountain air
• Great base for sunrises and long hikes

Gubeikou Village, Beijing (Gubeikou Wall)

Gubeikou Village sits beside the historic Gubeikou Great Wall, a less-restored and quieter section northeast of Beijing. This area is peaceful and surrounded by rolling hills, with parts of the Wall cutting straight through farmland and small homes. It's an ideal place to walk along the Wall without crowds and soak in village life at the same time.

Highlights

• Stay in locally run inns or guesthouses
• Direct walking trails from the village to the Wall
• Great for quiet overnight stays or multi-day hikes

Xiangshuihu Village, Beijing (Water Great Wall)

Nestled in Huairou District, Xiangshuihu Village is a lesser-known spot where the Wall crosses near lakes and reservoirs, giving the area the nickname "Water Great Wall." The small village sits near both unrestored and partially restored sections of the Wall, with clear walking paths and peaceful surroundings.

Highlights

• Lake views with Great Wall in the background
• Light hiking trails and picnic areas
• Less touristy than Mutianyu or Badaling

Dongjiakou Village, Hebei (Near Qinhuangdao)

Dongjiakou Village is a rural community near Qinhuangdao in Hebei Province. It sits beneath a wild, crumbling section of the Wall where few tourists go. It’s known for its steep ridgelines and quiet paths where you can walk for hours without seeing another person.

Highlights

• Wild and remote section of the Wall
• Village life with farm animals and open space
• Popular with serious hikers and photographers

Dushikou Village, Hebei (Stone Gate Pass)

Dushikou Village was once a major pass through the Great Wall and still has ancient stone roads and the original gate. Located in Hebei’s Chicheng County, this quiet mountain village has several crumbling watchtowers and easy access to unrestored wall segments.

Highlights

• Historic stone gate with original paths
• Rustic feel with traditional courtyard homes
• Very few tourists — great for solitude

Shanhaiguan Town, Hebei (Where the Wall Meets the Sea)

Though it’s more developed than some of the others, Shanhaiguan Town deserves a spot because it’s right where the Laolongtou section of the Wall stretches into the sea. The Wall runs through parts of the town, and you can walk from the main gate directly onto the Wall in a matter of minutes.

Highlights

• Most eastern end of the Wall
• Unique view of the Wall meeting the ocean
• Historical town streets with old forts

Jiayuguan City Outskirts, Gansu Province

On the far western end of the Ming Great Wall, the Jiayuguan Fortress rises above a small community where the desert meets the mountains. While Jiayuguan is technically a city, its outskirts feel more like a small town, and the Wall here looks totally different — dry, rugged, and made of packed earth.

Highlights

• Edge-of-the-empire vibes in a desert setting
• Nearby village homes and desert farms
• Epic sunsets and wide-open scenery

Huangyaguan Village, Tianjin

Huangyaguan Village sits beside the Huangyaguan Pass section of the Wall, which is partially restored and very scenic. The village itself is small and surrounded by hills, with direct walking paths up to the Wall.

Highlights

• Annual Great Wall Marathon passes through here
• Mixture of restored and wild wall
• Family-run guesthouses and local restaurants