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Jiankou Great Wall (Arrow Nock)

The Jiankou Great Wall, about a 2.5-hour drive from Beijing, is an unrestored wild section of the Great Wall, renowned for its rugged beauty and extremely challenging terrain. “Jiankou” means “arrow nock”, as the shape of this mountain resembles an arrow, and the collapsed ridge gap looks like the notch at the end of an arrow. Built on a ridge with steep cliffs on both sides, it is one of the most perilous sections of the Great Wall and is only recommended for experienced hikers and adventure enthusiasts.

Built from the local material, dolomite, the large pieces of white rock make it striking to the eye at a distance. It zigzags 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the Ox Horn Edge Wall to the Nine-Eyed Tower via the Beijing Knot, joining Mutianyu in the east and Huanghuacheng in the west. There are many beautiful and special spots along the way to challenge and appreciate.

Photos Map

When and Who Built the Jiankou Great Wall

Jiankou Great Wall has a rich history dating back more than 1,000 years. The final restorer was General Qi Jiguang (1528 - 1588), who rebuilt this section of the wall during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) under the order of the emperor.

Highlights of the Jiankou Great Wall

1. Nine-Eyed Tower

Situated at the northernmost extremity of the Jiankou Great Wall, the two-storeyed tower served as a crucial command post in ancient warfare. Each side of its wall features nine holes, which resemble nine eyes, thus giving it the name “Nine-Eyed Tower”. If the weather is fine, you can overlook the city of Beijing from the tower, so it is also named Wangjing (Overlooking Beijing) Tower.

2. Beijing Knot

It is the meeting point of three sections of the Great Wall coming from different directions. The west route leads to Huanghuacheng, a section built by a clear lake. You will pass another section Xiangshuihu in the midway, which is not so famous but also very beautiful. Walking north, you will get to the Nine-Eyed Tower, the north end of Jiankou section. You can hike to Mutianyu following the south path.

Beijing Knot is a great sightseeing point, with lush mountains around it. Getting there at sunrise or sunset, you may encounter the breath-taking sight of a wide sea of cloud.

Steep Arrow Nock Great Wall

The Winding Great Wall

3. Eagle Flies Facing Upward

It is one of the most dangerous segments of the Great Wall. The place got its name because the watchtower and the lofty peaks there form the shape of an eagle. The posture of this “eagle” is a vivid example to tell visitors that the stairs there are so steep that even eagles have to fly facing upward to reach the top.

4. Sky Stair

Sky Stair is a precipitous stair, whose angle of elevation is 70 to 80 degrees, at the east slope of the Eagle Flies Facing Upward. Some parts of it are so narrow that only one person can get through at a time.

5. Jiankou Spot

It is the lowest point of this section, looking like the mouth of the mountain creek among the rolling mountains.

6. Zhengbei Tower

It is the highest point of this section, built on the top of steep cliffs. It is also the largest and the most complete watchtower along this section. The gentler path to the east leads to the Ox Horn Edge Wall, the east end of this section.

How to Tour the Jiankou Great Wall

Jiankou Great Wall can be roughly divided into three parts: the northern part stretching from the Nine-Eyed Tower to the Beijing Knot, the western part running from the Beijing Knot to the Jiankou Spot, and the eastern part extending from the Jiankou Spot to the Ox Horn Edge Wall. Usually, it takes about a day to hike just one part. For a two-day trip, you can cover two parts or even the entire section.

At the foot of Jiankou Great Wall, Xizhazi Village and Wofo Mountain Villa serve as the starting points for hiking. Footpaths from these two places lead to the major attractions of this section. It usually takes 1 - 2 hours to climb through the forest to reach the Great Wall. Here are several recommended one-day hiking routes:

Jiankou Map

1. West Part: Beijing Knot - Jiankou Spot

The west part encapsulates the essence of the Jiankou Great Wall, featuring iconic spots like the Beijing Knot, Eagle Flies Facing Upward, and Sky Stair. However, the Sky Stair, with its nearly vertical steps, poses the greatest challenge to conquer.

Option 1: Start from the fifth team of Xizhazi Village (the westernmost part of Xizhazi Village), reach the Beijing Knot, and then hike eastward to the Jiankou Spot. After that, you can go downhill either following the south path to Wofo Mountain Villa or the north path back to the fifth team of Xizhazi Village.

Option 2: Begin from Wofo Mountain Villa in the south or the fifth team of Xizhazi Village in the north, reach the Jiankou Spot, and then hike westward to the Beijing Knot. Finally, go downhill to the fifth team of Xizhazi Village.

2. East Part: Jiankou Spot - Ox Horn Edge Wall

The eastern part is another popular choice, offering excellent photo-taking opportunities. The stretch from the Jiankou Spot to the Zhengbei Tower is quite demanding to climb, while the rest is relatively flat.

Option 1: Start from Wofo Mountain Villa in the south or the fifth team of Xizhazi Village in the north, hike eastward to the Ox Horn Edge Wall, and then go downhill to the second team of Xizhazi Village (close to the easternmost side of Xizhazi Village).

Option 2: Start from the second team of Xizhazi Village, reach the Ox Horn Edge Wall, hike westward to the Jiankou Spot, and then go downhill either following the south path to Wofo Mountain Villa or the north path to the fifth team of Xizhazi Village.

Broken Tower on Jiankou Great Wall

Jiankou Great Wall

3. North Part: Nine-Eyed Tower - Beijing Knot

This part is ideal for those less athletic. Along with the historical remnants, there are peach trees on both sides of the wall. In spring (April and May), the fragrant blossoms create a refreshing and charming atmosphere.

Start from the fifth team of Xizhazi Village, walk along the mountain road to Nine-Eyed Tower, then hike south to Beijing Knot, and finally return to the fifth team of Xizhazi Village along the trail.

Those who are very energetic can challenge themselves by hiking the whole route in two days. If there is still time and energy left, you can hike to Mutianyu following the path to the east after reaching the Ox Horn Edge Wall.

More to see: 2-Day Jiankou Great Wall Hiking

When is the best time to visit the Jiankou Great Wall?

The best time to visit the Jiankou Great Wall is in April, May, September and October. During these months, the weather is neither too cold nor too hot, making it suitable for outdoor activities. The scenery reaches its most enchanting state, rendering it the perfect period for photography.

How to Get to Jiankou from Downtown Beijing

Zhao's Hostel in Xizhazi Village

Taking a bus is the only public transportation option to reach Jiankou Great Wall. You can get to Wofo Mountain Villa at the southern foot of Jiankou, from where it takes about 2 hours to walk to the Great Wall, or to Xizhazi Village at the northern foot, which is a 40-minute walk to the Great Wall.

1. To reach Xizhaizi Village at the northern foot of the Jiankou Great Wall

→ Take Bus 916 Express from Dongzhimen Transit Hub, and get off at Yangjiayuan Station after about 1.5 hours. The bus operates from 05:50 to 20:00, with departures every 10 minutes.
→ Walk about 300 meters (330 yards) north after getting off the bus, then turn right and walk about 200 meters (220 yards) east to reach Yujiayuan Yiqu Station. Here, transfer to Bus H25 to Xizhazi Village West Station, which takes another 1.5 hours. Please note that Bus H25 departs only at 11:30 and 16:30 every day.

Alternatively, a more flexible option is to take a taxi from Yangjiayuan Station to Xizhaizi Village, which costs about CNY 60 - 100.

2. Head to the Wofo Mountain Villa at the southern foot of the Jiankou Great Wall

→ Take the Bus 916 Express from Dongzhimen Transit Hub to Huairou Beidajie stop, which takes about 2 hours.
→ Transfer to the Bus H36 to the Tianxianyu stop, and then walk about 1 kilometer (0.67 miles) north to reach Wofo Mountain Villa. This whole journey takes about 1 hour. Bus H36 departs at 06:20, 11:30, and 17:40 every day. Alternatively, you can rent a car from Huairou Beidajie stop to Wofo Mountain Villa, which costs about CNY 60 - 80.

Opening time:

All day

Admission Fee:

Entrance to Jiankou Great Wall is free, but to enter Xizhazi Village you need to pay CNY 20 to the local villagers.

Notes and Tips for Hiking the Jiankou Great Wall

Personal safety:

Avoid going alone; it's best to visit with someone experienced in hiking the Jiankou Great Wall.
It's advisable to take a detour on severely damaged sections or steep and dangerous routes, always prioritizing personal safety.
If you encounter an emergency, please call the police immediately.
Seniors and children are not recommended to climb this section.
Check the weather in advance and avoid going in rainy, snowy, or windy weather.

Equipment and preparation:

Climbing this section needs a lot of energy. But there is no booth up there. You need to take some snacks and bottled water. Before or after hiking, you can go to Xizhazi Village or the Wofo Mountain Villa to treat yourself to some local dishes.
It’s better to take mountaineering equipment, like hiking boots, an alpenstock, gloves, flashlights, and a climbing rope.
There are no toilets on the Jiankou Great Wall, so remember to use the toilet before departure.
Mobile phone signals are weak in mountainous areas and the battery is consumed quickly, so it is best to bring a power bank and walkie-talkie equipment.

Accommodation:

Both Xizhazi Village and Wofo Mountain Villa offer homestays for overnight stays.

Environmental protection:

There are no staff to clean up the garbage on this section of the wild Great Wall, so please take away all the garbage you produce.

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- Last updated on Jan. 17, 2025 by Sherry Xia -