Jin Shanling (China)

Close to Simatai, in the the mountains to the northwest of Beijing, the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall is less touristy, a bit unkempt but easily accessible.

Once you arrive at Jinshangling, an hour's walk will get you to the summit. If you're not feeling up to it, there's also a chairlift! This is a 10 km section, punctuated by watchtowers that lead to Simatai, crossing some incredible landscapes along the way. Over the years, this site has increasingly attracted hiking fans.

A great option is to sign up for one of the group excursions organized by Beijing hotels and guest houses. You'll arrive at Jinshanling early in the morning and be collected from Simatai at the end of the day. These walks usually take between 3 and 5 hours.