how long does it take to walk the great wall of china

Walking the entire length of the Great Wall of China takes a monumental amount of time—at least 17 months to cover the main line of about 8,851.8 km (5,500 miles), assuming hiking 20 to 40 km a day with regular breaks. For ordinary travelers, common sightseeing involves walking short sections of the wall for 2 to 5 hours, which can be done in 1 or 2 days. Popular sections near Beijing, like Badaling and Mutianyu, take about 2 to 4 hours to walk each, while longer sections such as Jinshanling and Simatai require 3 to 5 hours. Professional hikers take 3 to 5 months to walk the main line of the wall, but completing the entire Great Wall is a rare and extreme feat due to its length and difficult terrain.