The Untamed Beauty of Jinshanling Great Wall - Hiking Routes and How to Get There

Jinshanling Great Wall is located in Luanping County, Chengde City, Hebei Province, bordering Miyun County of Beijing.
• Distance: 130 km from Beijing, 90 km from Chengde, 240 km from the Mulan Grassland.
• History: Built and reinforced during the Ming Dynasty under General Qi Jiguang (1567–1582).
• Reputation: Famous for its wide views, dense watchtowers, unique landscapes, fine architecture, and well-preserved military defense system. Known as “The Great Wall’s Unique Beauty at Jinshan” and considered one of the most magnificent sections of the Great Wall.

It stretches 10.5 km from Longlingkou in the west to Wangjinglou in the east, with:
• 5 passes,
• 67 watchtowers,
• 3 beacon towers,
• rare structures like blocking walls, barrier walls, inscribed brick walls, shadow walls, and storehouse towers.

In 1987, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is rated as a National 5A Scenic Area.

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🚍 Getting There
• From Dongzhimen Transport Hub in Beijing, take the direct tourist bus to Jinshanling.
• Round-trip fare: 160 RMB (combo tickets may include cable car).

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🥾 Recommended Hiking Routes

1. Easy Loop (3 km / 2 hrs)
• Ticket Gate → Watoukou → Shalingkou → General Tower → Return the same way
👉 Suitable for families with children or seniors.

2. Classic Hike (5 km / 3 hrs)
• Ticket Gate → Watoukou → Small Jinshan Tower → Big Jinshan Tower → Houkoukou
👉 Offers the best panoramic views of the Wall.

3. In-depth Challenge (10 km / 5 hrs)
• East Five-Eye Tower → Houkoukou → Shalingkou → Watoukou
👉 Covers 24 watchtowers. Requires good fitness and anti-slip shoes.

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💰 Costs
• Entrance ticket: 65 RMB (half-price for students/seniors)
• Shuttle bus inside scenic area: 10 RMB (Scenic Gate → Ticket Gate, 1.5 km)
• Cable car: 60 RMB round-trip (1,020 m, direct to Small Jinshan Tower)

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🌟 Highlights

1. Authentic Unrestored Sections
• Broken walls, original arrow slits, multi-shaped watchtowers (square, round, double-layer).
• Well-preserved Ming military defense system.

2. Three Unique Features
• Barrier Walls: Low inner walls to block soldiers.
• Inscribed Bricks: At West Five-Eye Tower, some bricks are engraved with texts like “Built by the Cavalry Garrison in Wanli Year Six.”
• Horse-blocking Walls: Special defense structures to prevent cavalry charges.

3. Photographer’s Paradise
• Sunrise: Cloud sea and layered light at Small Jinshan Tower.
• Sunset: Blossoming apricot trees framing the Wall at West Five-Eye Tower, glowing golden at dusk.

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✨ In short: Jinshanling is less crowded, more authentic, and visually stunning compared to other sections of the Great Wall – a must for hikers and photographers alike.

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