Badaling
The Badaling section of the Beijing Great Wall is seventy kilometers (forty miles) north of Beijing. It is one of the most preserved sections. This section was built during the Ming Dynasty. It is about one thousand meters (three thousand two hundred eighty-two feet) tall. The Badaling section of the Great Wall is very steep. It was built to keep out the Mongolians.
Mutianyu
The Mutianyu section of the Beijing Great Wall is seventy-two kilometers (forty-five miles) from Beijing. This section was also built during the Ming Dynasty. It guarded the capital of the Ming Dynasty. This sections spreads two kilometers (one and a half miles). There are twenty-two watch towers. It is made out of granite. In the winter it is covered in snow. There is a spring in front of the wall.
Joyangguan Pass
The Joyangguan Pass is eighty kilometers (forty-two miles) away from Beijing. It is in a valley that is surrounded by mountains with full of flowers and trees. The pass was a barrier to the capitals of the Yuan and Ming Dynasties. It kept the Mongolians out. There were many battles fought there. In the middle of the pass there is a platform. The platform is made out of white marble. It is called the cloud platform.
Simatai
This section of the wall has been closed to the public since June 10, 2010. It is one hundred twenty kilometers (seventy-five miles) away from Beijing. It stretches five kilometers (three miles). The section was constructed (the head constructor) Qi Jiguang, a famous Ming general. This section is the only section that has its original appearance that the Ming Dynasty constructed. It is very steep. A lake divides the east and west of the wall. The lake is the Mandarin Duck Lake.
Jinshanling
It is one of the best preserved sections. There are many original features. It stretches ten kilometers (six miles). The base of the section is made out of big stone bars. The base is covered by very big bricks. Each brick weighs twelve kilograms (twenty-six pounds). There are sixty-seven watchtowers. Every one hundred meters (three hundred twenty-eight feet), there is an enemy tower.
Gubeikou
Gubeikou is located in the Yanshan mountain range. It is located in southeast Miyun County. This section was in a strategically important location because it was difficult to access. It is one hundred kilometers (sixty-two miles) away from Beijing. It protects the northern gateway to the capitol. It was built during the Qi Dynasty. It was rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty. There are one hundred forty-three watchtowers.
Huanghuacheng
This section was built during the Ming Dynasty. It is just under eleven kilometers (six and a half miles) long. Nowadays, there is a resort with mountains and lakes here.
Jiankou
This section has a unique style. There are steep mountains and beautiful scenery. The section has an arrow-like shape and a collapsed ridge. It is thirty kilometers (nineteen miles) from Beijing. It was built during the Ming Dynasty.