Jinshanling Great Wall 金山岭长城Jīnshānlǐng Chángchéng

Why go to Jinshanling Great Wall

Jinshanling is a 10.5 km stretch of Ming-dynasty Great Wall on the Hebei–Beijing border, with five passes, 67 watchtowers and three beacon towers. The western end has been restored, while the stretch towards Simatai, which continues east into Beijing, is more weathered. Visitors walk the ridge path between towers, and it is a favourite place for sunrise views and photography.

The story

Building began around 1570, and the stretch is closely linked with the general Qi Jiguang, who oversaw the defence of this part of the northern frontier. The towers vary widely in design, and about 500 m of the wall still has bricks stamped with makers' marks.

What to see at Jinshanling Great Wall

• Restored western section 金山岭长城西段: The best-kept towers and crenellated wall, the easiest walking and the usual start of a visit.
• Inscribed bricks and barrier walls 文字砖与障墙: Stamped and inscribed bricks and small cross-walls built between the battlements are two features this stretch is known for.
• Small and Big Jinshan Towers 小金山楼与大金山楼: Two of the watchtowers on the open stretch that visitors can climb for views along the ridge.
• Zhuanduokou Pass 砖垛口: A pass on the ridge whose tower stands in a low spot, unlike most watchtowers here, which sit on high points; the hike from Simatai West finishes near it.
• Simatai West stretch 司马台西段: The weathered, partly unrestored wall east of Jinshanling, walked by hikers from the Houchuankou end when access is open.

How to visit Jinshanling Great Wall

Most visitors enter from the main gate and walk the restored western stretch first, then continue east along the ridge as far as they like and turn back; a cable car can shorten the first climb. A walk of two to three hours takes in the best towers. A full day allows the longer, rougher hike towards Simatai West if it is open, which needs a pick-up at the far end; operators often run it in the other direction, from Simatai West to Jinshanling, in about three hours of walking.

How to get to Jinshanling Great Wall

Jinshanling is in Luanping County, about 67 km south-west of central Chengde and about 113 km north-east of central Beijing, and is reached by road: day-tour vehicles from Beijing take roughly 2 to 3 hours each way depending on traffic, or you can hire a car from Chengde. There is no rail station at the wall.

Where to stay

Base yourself in Chengde city for the Mountain Resort and a day trip here, or in the guesthouses in the villages near the wall for a sunrise start. If you are coming from Beijing, a night near the wall saves the long transfer.

What to eat

• Jiangmi lianggao 江米凉糕: A Chengde cold rice cake made from glutinous rice, sesame and red bean paste, sweet but not heavy.
• Almond tea 杏仁茶: A warm, sweet almond drink sold as a Chengde street refreshment.

Tips for visiting Jinshanling Great Wall

• Book ahead with your passport details; tour operators and the scenic area ask for passport name and number.
• Walking on east towards Simatai West is not guaranteed: tour operators sell the route but note the west part of Simatai can be closed for repair, the Simatai side is ticketed separately, and the route is not run in winter (December–February on China Highlights). Opening hours are shorter from November to March, so ask the scenic area or your operator before you plan a through-hike.
• Shade is scarce and the stone steps are steep and uneven in places; bring water and sturdy shoes, and start early for cooler air and clear light.

Nearby

• Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water Town 司马台长城·古北水镇 under 10 km
  Steep Ming watchtowers on a ridge above a resort water town, with a lit night walk
• Great Wall at Mutianyu 慕田峪长城 60 km
  Restored Ming watchtowers riding a wooded ridge, with a toboggan run back down
• Chengde Mountain Resort 承德避暑山庄 70 km
  The Qing emperors' summer capital, ringed by temples, some modelled on Tibet's
• Ming Tombs 明十三陵 90 km
  Stone guardians on the Sacred Way and an emperor's underground palace to walk through
• 798 Art Zone 798艺术区 100 km
  Contemporary art galleries and cafés in the sawtooth-roofed halls of a 1950s factory
• Universal Beijing Resort 北京环球度假区 100 km
  Harry Potter, Minions, Jurassic World and an all-indoor Kung Fu Panda land in Tongzhou

Also within 30 km: Xianju Valley 仙居谷 (10 km), Xinglong Karst Cave 兴隆溶洞 (30 km).

On the map

Open Jinshanling Great Wall on the illustrated map to see the terrain around it, what else is close, and to add it to a trip and plan the days.

Learn more

• Wikipedia
• Wikipedia (Chinese)