Jinshanling Great Wall
Jinshanling Great Wall is located 130 kilometers (80 miles) away from Beijing, with a car ride of about 2.5 hours. It boasts stunning scenery, well-preserved architectural features, and is an ideal place for photography and hiking, known as “the paradise for photographers.” Additionally, the Jinshanling Great Wall has fewer tourists than other sections, making it more suitable for quiet exploration of the mysterious Great Wall.
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| Jinshanling Great Wall |
Basic Facts of Jinshanling Great Wall
It is situated on the Big and Small Jinshanling Mountains, hence its name.
It was constructed under the direction of general Xu Da (1332 - 1385) in 1368 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and renovated under the supervision of the great general Qi Jiguang (1528 - 1588) and the local governor Tan Lun in 1567.
It zigzags from Longyu Pass in the west, and ends at the Wangjing Tower in the east, with a total length of 10.5 kilometers (6.5 miles), a height of 5 meters (16 feet) to 8 meters (26 feet), and an altitude of 700 meters (2,297 feet) above sea level.
It has 67 watchtowers, 3 beacon towers, and 5 passes. They are densely distributed, at intervals of 50 meters (55 yards) to 100 meters (110 yards).
The watchtowers differ in construction materials, the number of tiers, and the patterns of roofs. Some of them are made of bricks and wood, while others are made of bricks and stone. Some have one storey, while others have two or three. The roofs of the watchtowers also vary, including domes, flat roofs, square ones, and octagonal ones.
Best Things to Do and See on the Jinshanling Great Wall
1. General Tower
General Tower, also known as the Storehouse Tower, is hailed as “the most representative watchtower.” Measuring 10 meters (33 feet) in length and 11 meters (36 feet) in width, it stands as an outstanding exemplar of the ancient military defense system and serves as the command center of the Jinshanling Great Wall, thus earning its name. Moreover, it is one of the prime spots for photographing sunrises, sunsets, and seas of clouds.
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2. Big Jinshan Tower
The Big Jinshan Tower, with a length of 12 meters (39 feet), a width of 8 meters (26 feet), and a height of 11 meters (36 feet), is a two-story tower perched atop Big Jinshan Mountain. A brick staircase connects the two floors. The first floor is of brick construction, while the second floor features a combination of brick and wood. Its flying eaves and purlins are exquisitely crafted and flexible, attesting to the remarkable skills of the ancients.
3. Small Jinshan Tower
The Small Jinshan Tower, 12 meters (39 feet) long, 11 meters (36 feet) wide, and 8 meters (26 feet) high, bears a resemblance to the Big Jinshan Tower in structure, albeit being relatively smaller and narrower. Both of these Jinshan Towers serve as excellent vantage points for taking in the panoramic view of the Great Wall.
4. Bricks with Characters
On the 500-meter (1,600 feet) stretch of the wall, there are thousands of inscribed bricks, engraved with the time when they were made and the troops who made them. These specific and minute historical details have been preserved for hundreds of years through these bricks.
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| Bricks with Characters |
5. Kylin Screen Wall
As a highlight of the architectural art of the Great Wall, the Kylin Screen Wall can be found on the Small Pot Tower (Xiaohu Tower) between the East Five-window Tower and the Three-window Tower. It is a precious screen wall with exquisite relief sculptures. It is made of 15 blue bricks. The Kylin Screen Wall is 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) long, and 2 meters (6.6 feet) high. The kylin is standing on auspicious clouds, with its mouth open and tongue sticking out, looking vivid and interesting. Because there are no stone stairs leading up to the top of the tower, visitors rarely see the Kylin Screen Wall. Therefore, it is well-preserved. Nowadays, a copy can be found beside Jinshan Gallery inside the scenic area, so that visitors can see the mysterious screen wall easily.
6. Appreciate the sunset and sunrise at the Jinshanling Great Wall.
As the sun rises or sets, the ancient watchtowers and the rugged terrain are bathed in a warm, golden glow, emanating a unique and captivating charm. These natural sceneries at Jinshanling are like a spectacular performance by nature, leaving people in awe and filled with reverence. Moreover, the Jinshanling Great Wall opens its Middle Gate as early as 04:00, affording tourists greater convenience to relish the beauty of the sunrise.
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| Sunset at Jinshanling Great Wall |
7. Participate in the Jinshanling Great Wall Marathon.
The Jinshanling Great Wall Marathon takes place on the third weekend of April annually. If you’re brimming with energy, you can choose to take part in the full marathon, half marathon, or 10 km (6mi.) race, all of which are bound to offer you a remarkable and unforgettable experience.
See detailed Great Wall Marathon
How to Tour Jinshanling Great Wall
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| Jinshanling Great Wall Map |
Route 1: The shortest route; 3km (2mi.); 2 hours
If you have limited time and don't want to miss the highlights of the Jinshanling Great Wall, this route is perfect for a short stop on the wall. Starting from the Middle Gate, follow the walking trail up to the Zhuanduokou Pass. Then head east to the first landmark - the General Tower, where you can enjoy the magnificent view of the Great Wall and the surrounding scenery. Along this route, you can also see the most distinctive features of the Jinshanling Great Wall, such as the defense walls, horse-blocking walls, parapets, and beacon towers. After a 15-minute walk, you can reach Shalingkou Pass, where you can descend from the wall and return to the Middle Gate via the walking trail.
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Route 2: The most popular route; 4km (2.5mi.); 2.5 hours
After entering the scenic area from Middle Gate, continue climbing to the Zhuanduokou Pass, then head east to pass by General Tower. Continue hiking to another highlight - the Small Jinshan Tower, which is the essence of the Jinshanling Great Wall. You can take a cable car directly back to the ticket gate from here. This route is perfect for families with children, as they can not only appreciate the essence of Jinshanling Great Wall scenery, but also save energy and not get too tired.
Route 3: Photographer's Hiking Tour; 5km (3mi.); 3 hours
This route is perfect for photographers who want to capture the beauty of the Jinshanling Great Wall. From the Zhuanduokou Pass to the Houchuankou Pass in the east, this is the most restored and scenic section of the Jinshanling Great Wall. You will appreciate various unique watchtowers, and you may have the opportunity to take amazing photos from Small Jinshan Tower and Big Jinshan Tower, where you can enjoy the beautiful sunrise or sunset views. After photography, you can descend the wall along the hiking trail from Houchuankou Pass.
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| Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking |
Route 4: Full Hiking; 10km (6mi.); 5 hours
If you want to challenge a deep exploration of the Jinshanling Great Wall, you can choose this 5-hour hiking route. This route covers most of the highlights of the Jinshanling Great Wall. Along the way, you will encounter more than 10 watchtowers. The East Five-Window Tower is a good place to view the western panorama of the Jinshanling Great Wall. You can leave directly from the East Gate, or take the shuttle bus back to the Middle Gate.
When is the Best Time for a Visit?
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| Jinshanling Great Wall in Autumn |
Opening Hours:
| March 16 - November 15 | November 16 - March 15 | |
| Middle Gate | 04:00 - 18:30, last admission at 17:30 | 06:00 - 17:00, last admission at 16:00 |
| East Gate | 08:30 - 17:00, last admission at 16:00 | 09:30 - 15:30, last admission at 15:00 |
| West Gate | 09:00 - 17:00 | 09:30 - 15:30 |
Tickets:
| Entrance Fee | March 16 - November 15 | CNY 65 |
|---|---|---|
| November 16 - March 15 | CNY 55 | |
| Cable Car | Single trip | CNY 40 |
| Round-trip | CNY 60 | |
| Shuttle Bus | Single trip | CNY 10 |
| Round-trip | CNY 20 |
Note: Half-price of entrance fee is applicable to individuals aged 60 - 69 and 6 - 18. Free admission is provided for those under 6 and over 70.
How to buy the tickets?
Note: Tickets for the Jinshanling Great Wall can be used for a second entry within 48 hours. If you need a second entry, you need to buy the ticket on-site and inform the ticket seller.
How to Get to the Jinshanling Great Wall from Downtown Beijing
1. By S5 Train:
- Then take a taxi from Gubeikou Railway Station to Jinshanling Great Wall. The distance between Gubeikou Station and the Jinshanling Great Wall is about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles), and the taxi fare is around CNY 40 - 50.
- Departure times: Beijing North Railway Station at 06:58 and 14:20; Qinghe Railway Station at 07:12 and 14:34.
Return trip: Gubeikou Railway Station at 10:00 and 17:20
2. Non-stop tourist bus: Dongzhimen ⇔ Jinshanling Great Wall:
- Departure at 08:00 from Dongzhimen bus station.
- Arrive at the Jinshanling Great Wall at 10:00 and spend 4.5 hours exploring the area.
- Meet at the parking lot of the Jinshanling Great Wall at 14:30 for the return journey.
- Arrive back at Dongzhimen bus station at 16:40.
Single Journey Time: 2 hours
Ticket Fare: CNY 120 for a round-trip
3. By Public Bus:
- Then proceed straight, cross the traffic light, turn right, and walk 200 meters (220 yards) until you reach the China Mobile Building. Then take bus 25 to Gubeikou, which takes about 30 minutes. Finally, take a taxi to the scenic area.
Tips for Visiting the Jinshanling Great Wall
Camping is not allowed on the Great Wall, but there are paid camping sites at the foot of the mountain. In addition, there are some hotels and farmhouses nearby where you can stay overnight. There are some restaurants near the Middle Gate, where you can taste some local delicacies.Further Reading:
Simatai to Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking
6 Best Places to See Great Wall of China
8 Interesting Places in Beijing You May Not Know
12 Best Places to Visit near Beijing
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- Last updated on Jan. 09, 2025 by Sherry Xia -