The 3 Closest Airports to the great wall of china

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The 3 Closest Airports to the Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China stretches over thousands of kilometers, meaning the "closest" airport depends heavily on which section of the Wall you plan to visit. However, most international tourists access the popular sections near Beijing. This guide covers the three airports most relevant for visiting these well-known parts of the Great Wall.

1. Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

Beijing Capital (PEK) is one of the world’s busiest airports and serves as a primary international gateway to China. Crucially, it is the closest major airport to the most frequently visited sections of the Great Wall, such as Mutianyu and Badaling, located north of Beijing city center.

  • Distance to the Great Wall: Approx. 60-70 km (1 – 1.5 hours drive) to Badaling section; Approx. 70-80 km (1.5 – 2 hours drive) to Mutianyu section.

  • Address: Airport Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China

  • Pros: Huge selection of international & domestic flights, closest major airport to popular Wall sections, excellent ground transport options. | Cons: Can be extremely busy and crowded, facilities are older compared to Daxing. | Airlines: Hub for Air China, China Eastern, Hainan Airlines, numerous international carriers. | Car Rental: Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Local providers like eHi Car Services, Shenzhou Car Rental.

  • Official Website: http://en.bcia.com.cn/

  • Phone: +86 10 96158

  • Rating: Approx. 4.0/5

2. Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)

Opened in 2019, Beijing Daxing (PKX) is a massive, state-of-the-art airport located south of Beijing city center. While architecturally impressive and efficient, its southern location makes it further away from the popular northern sections of the Great Wall compared to PEK.

  • Distance to the Great Wall: Approx. 110-120 km (2 – 2.5 hours drive) to Badaling section; Approx. 120-130 km (2.5 – 3 hours drive) to Mutianyu section.

  • Address: Daxing District, Beijing & Guangyang District, Langfang, Hebei, China

  • Pros: Modern, technologically advanced, efficient design, growing number of flights. | Cons: Significantly further from popular northern Wall sections, potentially longer travel times to the Wall. | Airlines: Hub for China Southern, China Eastern, many SkyTeam & Oneworld alliance partners. | Car Rental: Hertz, Avis, Local providers like eHi Car Services, Shenzhou Car Rental.

  • Official Website: http://www.bdia.com.cn/en/

  • Phone: +86 10 96158 (Same hotline serves both Beijing airports)

  • Rating: Approx. 4.5/5

3. Zhangjiakou Ningyuan Airport (ZQZ)

Zhangjiakou Ningyuan Airport (ZQZ) is a smaller, regional airport located northwest of Beijing, primarily serving Zhangjiakou city, which co-hosted the 2022 Winter Olympics. Geographically, it is very close to the Badaling and Juyongguan sections of the Great Wall, potentially making it the physically closest airport to some parts. However, it has far fewer flight options, mostly domestic.

  • Distance to the Great Wall: Approx. 50-60 km (about 1 hour drive) to Badaling section.

  • Address: Ningyuan Village, Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province, China

  • Pros: Geographically closest airport to certain sections like Badaling. | Cons: Very limited flight schedule (mostly domestic), fewer amenities and transport options, not practical for most international travelers aiming for Beijing. | Airlines: Primarily domestic carriers like Hebei Airlines, China Express Airlines, Spring Airlines. | Car Rental: Limited options, mostly local providers.

  • Official Website: (No easily accessible official English website, often managed via travel platforms or airline sites)

  • Phone: +86 313 5888888 (May vary)

  • Rating: Approx. 3.5/5

Conclusion:

While Zhangjiakou Ningyuan Airport (ZQZ) is geographically the closest airport to certain sections like Badaling, its limited flight network makes it impractical for most tourists. For international travelers and those seeking convenience and extensive flight options, Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is the closest major airport providing the best access to the most popular and well-maintained sections of the Great Wall near Beijing. Beijing Daxing (PKX) is a modern alternative but requires longer ground travel to reach these key sites.

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