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Huangyaguan Great Wall

Nestled in the mountains 28 kilometers (17.5 miles) north of Jizhou District, Tianjin, Huangyaguan Great Wall stands as a miniature of the Great Wall of China. Its name, Huangya (Yellow Cliff) Pass, is derived from the predominantly yellow-brown rocks on the eastern cliffs, which transform into a stunning golden hue at sunset.

In this section, you can find the stone base built in the Northern Qi Dynasty (550 - 557) and the brick battlements laid in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). Watchtowers there are either solid or hollow and have different shapes, including round ones and square ones. Outside, you may see independent outposts a few meters away from each other; inside, there are also ramparts to reinforce the defense system.

Basic Facts of Huangyaguan Great Wall

Huangyaguan Great Wall was first built during the Northern Qi Dynasty and repaired extensively during the Ming Dynasty under the supervision of Qi Jiguang, a renowned general of that time.

Stretching 42 kilometers (26 miles) from the General Pass in Beijing to Malan Pass in Hebei, there used to be 52 watchtowers and 14 beacon towers in total. However, most of this part of the wall has collapsed due to lack of renovation. Starting from 1984, people spent three years repairing 3,025 meters (3,308 yards) of the wall and 20 watchtowers.

The Huangyaguan Great Wall was built on a ridge about 740 meters (2,400 feet) above the ground, winding its way among the mountains. One side of it is a cliff while the other is a sheer rock face.

Best Things to Do and Visit in Huangyaguan Great Wall

1. The Pass of Huangyaguan (Eight Diagram Fortification City)

Huangya Pass

Surrounded by abrupt mountains, Huangya Pass is one of the most important passes with barbicans, turrets, emplacements, barracks and other indispensable military facilities orderly arranged. Within the pass, more than 40 crisscrossing streets form the shape of the Eight Diagram, which gives the pass a nickname, Eight Diagram Fortification City. In the center of the Eight Diagram Street block is the Huangyaguan Great Wall Museum, which used to be the Dispatcher's Office in the Ming Dynasty. Here, you can view the weapons and daily necessities used by soldiers of the Ming Dynasty. Besides the construction sites, you can also feel the cultural atmosphere by viewing poems inscribed in the Stele Forests and couplets carved on the bamboo strips in the Couplet Hall.

2. Huangya Water Gate

Built during the reign of Ming Emperor Yongle (1403 - 1424), this pass connects the Huangya Pass on the west and Taiping Mountain Stronghold on the east. With a length of 75.5 meters (83 yards) and a height of 12.5 meters (41 feet), there are five arches below the wall allowing the river to flow through. During the wartime, the arches would be closed, and soldiers would settle gun barrels along the battlements to defend against enemies coming from the waterway. In ordinary days, it was just like a giant bridge over the river.

3. Taipingzhai

It is 1,000 meters (1,100 yards) east of the Huangya Pass in the Xiaopingan Village, guarding the valley of that region. There is a statue of Qi Jiguang standing in front of it, commemorating this eminent general who made great contributions to the state.

4. Widow Tower (Heroine Tower)

To the west of Taiping Stronghold stands a square tower named the Widow Tower, which is a two-storey beacon tower donated by twelve women whose husbands helped to build Huangyaguan Great Wall but lost their lives during the construction. It functioned as a military fortress during the wartime with crenels and emplacements built on the second floor. It is also a piece of architectural artwork worth a close viewing. You can find dragon's head sculptures on two sides of the roof, and figurines of kylins, phoenixes, and lions crouching at the four points of the eave.

5. Huangya Sky Ladder

Walking westward for 503 meters (550 yards) from the Huangya Pass, you will get to the steepest segment of this section, the Huangya Sky Ladder. Boasting a slope exceeding 70 degrees and composed of over 300 steps, this part is a challenging ascent. The steps here are far from smooth; some are even cracked right in the middle. Stretching to the top of the ridge, this long stairway seemingly leads to the sky. Climbing over the ladder, you will reach the primitive Great Wall built in the Northern Qi Dynasty, marking the end of the Huangyaguan section.

6. Longevity Garden

Situated within Eight Diagram Fortification City, Longevity Garden is themed around the Chinese character “Shou”, symbolizing longevity. The corridors' walls are adorned with a staggering 10,003 distinct versions of writing this Chinese character, a remarkable display that has earned its place in the Guinness World Records.

7. Huangyaguan Great Wall Marathon

Huangyaguan Great Wall

A marathon is held annually here in mid-May, featuring a route that spans 42 kilometers (26 miles), commencing and concluding at the Huangyaguan Great Wall. The course, complete with challenging uphill and downhill sections, rigorously tests the physical strength and perseverance of participants. As you run alongside the Great Wall, you will be enveloped by its breathtaking beauty, forging unforgettable lifelong memories. This distinctive course draws thousands of running enthusiasts from all over every year.

See detailed Great Wall Marathon

8. Explore the Huangyaguan at Night

Unlike the daytime scenes, the night-time Great Wall, illuminated by vibrant lights, takes on a semblance of a golden dragon coiled gracefully along the mountain ridge, offering tourists a breathtaking visual spectacle. Furthermore, the night tour is replete with a diverse array of captivating performances and activities. Among them, a bonfire party ignites the night, while the “Iron Flower Art” - molten iron bursting into bloom in the air like radiant pyrotechnic - adds a touch of magic. Additionally, a stunning light show rounds off the evening, enhancing the overall enchantment of the experience.

How to Tour the Huangyaguan Great Wall

The Huangyaguan Great Wall Scenic Area has two entrances: Huangya Gate Tower (the main entrance) and Taipingzhai (the east entrance), which are 2.2 kilometers (1.4 miles) apart. Sightseeing buses run back and forth between them. The scenic area is divided into the east section and the west section. The east section is steeper, while the west section is relatively flat. Visitors can choose to explore either the east or the west section. Those with good physical strength may choose to visit the entire area. Here are several recommended tour routes:

Map of Huangyaguan Great Wall

1. The Most Popular East-Section Tour

Time: 3 - 4 hours
Great Wall Length: 2.2 kilometers (1.4 miles)
Route: Take a sightseeing bus from Huangyaguan Gate Tower to Taipingzhai → Explore the East Section → Huangya Pass → Visit Eight Diagram Fortification City → Return to Huangyaguan Gate Tower
Attractions: Taipingzhai Great Wall, Qi Jiguang Stone Statue, Widow Tower, Water Gate, Huangya Pass, Eight Diagram Fortification City
Applicable People: Most tourists
Advantages: This route is mainly downhill, making it relatively easy to walk.

2. Simple West-Section Tour

Time: 2 - 3 hours
Great Wall Length: 1.1 kilometers (0.7 miles)
Route: Start from Huangyaguan Gate Tower → Visit Eight Diagram Fortification City → Huangya Pass → Explore the West Section → Reach Huangya Sky Ladder → Return to Huangyaguan Gate Tower
Attractions: Huangya Pass, Eight Diagram Fortification City, Longevity Garden, Huangya Sky Ladder, Huangyaguan Great Wall
Applicable People: Most tourists
Advantages: Except for the Huangya Sky Ladder, the terrain is relatively flat. It's energy-saving and doesn't require taking a sightseeing bus, which is a cost-effective option.

3. Full East and West Section Tour

Time: 5 - 6 hours
Great Wall Length: 3.3 kilometers (2.1 miles)
Route: Take a sightseeing bus from Gate Tower to Taipingzhai → Explore the East Section → Reach Huangya Pass → Explore the West Section → Reach Huangya Sky Ladder → Return to Huangya Pass → Visit Eight Diagram Fortification City → Gate Tower
Attractions: Huangya Pass, Eight Diagram Fortification City, Longevity Garden, Huangya Sky Ladder, Huangyaguan Great Wall, Taipingzhai Great Wall, Qi Jiguang Stone Statue, Widow Tower, Water Gate
Applicable People: Tourists with good physical strength
Advantages: This route covers all the attractions, allowing for a more in-depth exploration of the scenic area.

Opening Hours:

Day-time	April 1 - October 31	08:00 - 16:00
Day-time	November 1 - March 31	08:30 - 16:00
Night-time	July - October: 17:30 - 22:30, last admission at 20:30

Tickets:

Entrance Fee	CNY 85 CNY 45 for people over 60 years old Free for children under 1.2 m (3.9 ft.)
Sightseeing Bus	One-way: CNY 30 Round-trip: CNY 50

Notes:
1. Entrance to the Eight Immortals Cave is encompassed within the ticket price.
2. The ticket price for the night tour varies depending on the types of performances, usually between CNY 10 and 60.

When is the Best Time for a Visit?

The best times to visit Huangyaguan are spring and autumn, when temperatures are mild and the scenery is at its most enchanting, with blooming flowers in spring and vibrant autumn foliage.

How to get to Huangyaguan Great Wall from Beijing

Huangyaguan Great Wall is situated in the northern part of Jizhou District, Tianjin. To arrive at the scenic area, the first step is to get to Jizhou District, which is approximately 100 kilometers (60 miles) away from Beijing.

By coach

- Take a long-distance bus from Beijing Sihui Long-Distance Bus Station to Jizhou Bus Station. The trip lasts around 2 hours and the ticket price is CNY 32. Buses depart hourly from 07:30 to 19:30.

- After arriving at Jizhou Bus Station, take Bus No. Ji3 to the terminal Huangyaguan Village Committee Bus Station, and this will lead you to the Huangyaguan Great Wall Scenic Area. The journey on this bus takes 1.5 hours and costs CNY 5. The bus runs from 07:30 - 18:30 with an interval of about 1.5 hours.

As an alternative, you can choose to take a taxi to Huangyaguan. The taxi ride takes about 50 minutes and costs approximately CNY 100.

By train

- First, take a train from Beijing Railway Station to Jizhou North Railway Station. The journey takes about 1.5 hours, and the price of a hard seat ticket is CNY 14.5.
- Then, take the tourist bus No. 11 from Jizhou North Railway Station to Yingbin Dajie Station. After that, transfer to Bus No. Ji3 and get off at Huangyaguan Village Committee Bus Station. This part of the journey takes 1.5 hours and costs CNY 8.
Another option is to take a taxi from Jizhou North Station to get there. The taxi journey takes about 50 minutes and costs around CNY 100.

Train Schedule:

Beijing Railway Station Departure	Jizhou North Railway Station Arrival
07:19	08:35
18:44	20:18

How to get to Huangyaguan Great Wall from Tianjin

By coach

Option 1: Take a long-distance bus from Tianjin Tongsha Bus Station to Huangyaguan Great Wall directly. The departure times are 10:10 and 14:40. The trip takes about 2 hours, and the fare is CNY 48.
Option 2: Take a bus from Tianjin Tongsha Bus Station to Jizhou Bus Station. The journey takes around 1.5 hours and the cost is CNY 20. The departure times are 11:00, 14:10, 15:10, 16:10, and 17:00. Once you arrive at Jizhou Bus Station, you can take Bus No. Ji3 or a taxi to reach the Huangyaguan Great Wall.

By Train

Take a train from Tianjin Railway Station or Tianjin North Railway Station to Jizhou North Railway Station. The travel time to Jizhou District ranges from 1.5 to 2.5 hours, and the cost is less than CNY 20. After arriving at Jizhou North Railway Station, you can take a bus or a taxi to the scenic spot.

Train Schedule:

From	Departure	Jizhou North Arrival
Tianjin Railway Station	07:27	09:59
Tianjin Railway Station	09:27	11:19
Tianjin North Railway Station	09:39	11:19
	12:23	14:14
	16:23	17:48
	18:10	20:02
	19:08	21:02

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- Last updated on Feb. 13, 2025 by Sherry Xia -