The Best Place To Stay On Your Trip To The Great Wall Has Walking Access And Stunning Amenities

There are not a lot of hotels within walking distance of the Great Wall of China, and even fewer were designed by an award-winning architect. The Commune by the Great Wall was created by 12 of the best in Asia, including Shigeru Ban from Japan, Gary Chang from Hong Kong, and Kanika R'kul from Thailand. The architects conceptualized houses on the sprawling property, and globally acclaimed Chinese artist Ai Weiwei was also the landscape planner. Their mandate was to use local materials and make the houses blend in with the surrounding environment. It was not hard to do this with one of the "New Seven Wonders of the World" in the background.

The Great Wall of China was built over thousands of years across the northern part of the country. The fortifications — including ramparts, watchtowers, and fortresses — extend about 5,500 miles from the Liaoning province in the east to the Gansu province in the west. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most-popular destinations in the whole country, which is why you should add it to your bucket list.

Commune by the Great Wall sits in the foothills of the Shuiguan Mountains in the Yanqing District, known as the "summer capital of Beijing" for its cool weather. It only takes an hour to drive up from the city, so the hotel quickly became a beloved getaway from Beijing, where you will find another must-visit destination for history buffs. It is easy to see why it is so popular when you are given a golf-cart tour of just a fraction of the property's 2,000 acres upon arrival.

The architectural marvel is a diffused hotel, meaning its rooms are spread out among numerous buildings. At the heart of the property is the club house, a communal space with a lobby lounge, a restaurant that looks out toward the Great Wall, and a seasonal swimming pool. The houses, such as the Bamboo Wall House and the Forest House, spread out from there. Their rooms have Nespresso machines, smart TVs, and plush bathrobes and slippers, and gorgeous views of the ginkgo-covered mountains. During the summer, rooms start at $150 per night, while suites with living rooms begin at $270 per night.

Though Commune by the Great Wall's architecture may have enticed you to Yanqing, it is the hotel's easy access to the Great Wall that will ultimately make you turn your day trip into a longer stay. The hotel is a quick walk, only 20 minutes from the Shuiguan section of the Great Wall. This portion, perched high in the mountains, was built to prevent the Mongols from invading Beijing. It is now a quiet area with great east-facing views, if you dare to climb the steep steps.

Badaling, one of the best-preserved sections of the Great Wall, lies farther to the west. Here you will find the Great Wall Museum, set to reopen as a national museum in late 2025 after extensive renovations. It takes visitors through the wall's history in nine exhibition halls. Plus, two cable cars (about $14 one-way or $20 roundtrip) and a toboggan (around $11 one-way or $17 roundtrip) let you take in breathtaking bird's-eye views of the wall and the surrounding mountains. It is no wonder Badaling is one of the most-popular sections of the Great Wall.

Farther to the east, those who are feeling particularly adventurous can even experience the Great Wall of China with a one-of-a-kind camping adventure. Though this can cost upwards of $300 — even more than staying at the Commune. You might consider that next time. But if there's one unique hotel to add to your Beijing bucket list, this architectural feat nestled in the mountains is it.