I was passing through China on a 22 hour layover and found out that getting to the Great Wall was definitely doable. I got a stopover permit in the airport for free (DON'T pay for a VISA if you are just doing a 24 hour or less layover).

I booked a guide ahead of time and was so glad I did! it was a HUGE timesaver. I didn't realize how few people in China speak English (even students!). I found "Jonny" on a travel website and found his fees were the most reasonable (charged 500 Yuan for the day to pick us up, bring us to the Great Wall and drop us off at the Royal Palace). He is a great communicator via email. He self-taught himself English, so it's good enough to get you places and give you a little information, but please don't torture the guy with conversation or a bunch of questions. He's such a nice guy and just trying to make an honest living... he was perfect for what we needed! His email is jonnyzhangcn@hotmail.com

Seeing the Great Wall was amazing... have to see it to appreciate this Wonder of the World. We were there in late December and were the only ones there for a good hour which was awesome for pictures and just taking in the serenity of the area. We took the chair lift up and the tobaggan down.. definitely recommend that!

Having been there last week (in cold winter), I definitely recommend any traveler to go there with a private car and not try to take a collective tour or public bus in particular if you want to combine it with another site (e.g. Ming tombs).

Indeed, we went the same day to the great wall at mutianyu (north east of Beijing) and the ming tombs (dingling tomb and the sacrdd way, north west of beijing) and did not have so much extra time that day. If you go with a public bus, well you will waste a significant time in the bus and also in finding your way (very few Chinese people have an adequate level of English). If you go with an organized tour, you will likely waste some precious time in a silk / jade / craft factory (for which tour operators get either a commission if you spend a certain amount of time in their shop or a percentage on what you buy should you buy anything!).

Having said that, after a missed tentative to go to the great wall with a tour (in the car they started negotiating on how many factories we should visit and we decided to leave the car), we booked a car via the hotel for a big price (RMB900 for the day).

I can recommend the driver we used who was punctual, polite and understood an adequate level of english and with whom you can have a better price than via the hotel:

LIN YONG - email: LinYong-driver@hotmail.com - 13501055560

Visiting the great wall at Mutianyiu was definitely worth it in any case !!!

Seemed to be the section less crowded. But disliked all the souvenier sellers at the entrance to the lift.

Facing the wall from the south, go left and keep climbing past the incline of many steps, past the extent of the wall's restoration, and keep going along the wild part. That is the best!