Thousands of people travel to China each year to see the architectural and historical wonders of the Great Wall.
It is indeed, a sight worth seeing and a memorable experience.
There are many options for your visit to the Great Wall.
Most of the sections opened to visitors are nearby Beijing and there are particulars to each of them.
Some segments are rough and steep, others are easier and more accessible.
Many offer cable cars or trolleys to get up, or toboggans and ziplines to come down.
Investigate the different alternatives to fit your needs and interests before you head out there.
These are some of the options:

• Badaling Badaling was the first section to open for tourism more than fifty years ago.
  Because of its proximity to Beijing it is one of the most popular and where most tourist buses come.
  This segment has been fully renovated and there are plenty of handrails to help you up the steep parts.
  If you don't feel like climbing and battling the crowds, there is a cable car that brings you about two-thirds to the top.
  For the trek down there is also a trolley that winds slowly down the mountain and gives you some really great views.
  To enjoy Badaling, get there early before the crowds start to arrive and by all means, avoid National Holidays.
  
• Mutianyu Mutianyu is slightly further away from Beijing than Badaling.
  It is also fully restored with plenty of guardrails.
  Here you have a chairlift and a cable car to help you up to the top.
  To come down you can also take the Toboggan, which unlike the Badaling trolley, consists of individual "sleds".
  You control your own speed with the hand brake to zip down the mountain.
  Mutianyu is an excellent choice if you are traveling with small children or people with limited mobility.
  The facilities and conditions make for a comfortable ascent, it doesn't get as crowded as Badaling and kids will enjoy zipping down the toboggan.
  
• Simatai and JinshanlingThe Jinshanling and Simatai Sections are about a three hour drive from Beijing.
  They are a bit more remote and in a more natural state than the previous two sections.
  Many parts along these sections have not been restored or "fixed up" in any way.
  It gives you a more authentic experience but also a tougher trek.
  There are small cable cars to bring you half the way up in Simatai, but they don't always run because of high winds, so be prepared to hike.
  The hike from Jinshanling to Simatai is a popular one.
  It is about 10 km.
  and takes about 4 hours.
  Be prepared for some tough terrain with loose stones and debris.
  Be specially careful if it is wet or raining.
  Needless to say you need to be in fairly good shape to attempt this hike.
  Bring a picnic and enjoy the spectacular scenery and peaceful surroundings.
  Towards the end as you approach Simatai, you will encounter a zip line to whisk you over the last couple hundred feet and over the river to the other side.
  There is also a hanging bridge to get over if you prefer.
  
• JuyongguanJuyongguan is the closest section to Beijing and is the most recently opened portion.
  It is still not too crowded since tour buses are still heading over to Badaling.
  This might change in the future.
  This segment of the wall is totally renovated and has a "new" feeling to it, so one common complaint is that you don't even feel you are standing in a piece of history.
  The climb is a steep one and there are no cable cars to help you up on this one.
  But if you're in a hurry, this is your best bet.
  

Whichever section of the Great Wall you choose to see:

• bring drinks along, specially on hot days
• weather might turn unexpectedly, be prepared
• wear comfortable shoes or hiking boots
• absorb and enjoy one of the Seven Wonders of the World!