GW14: Jiankou Great Wall Hiking: Beijing Knot to Jiankou Spot

Beijing Knot to Jiankou Spot is the middle, also known as the west part of the Jiankou Great Wall. Many landmarks of Jiankou Great Wall, like Beijing Knot, Eagle Flies Facing Upward and Sky Stair scatter along this section, making it the most attracting yet challenging section. As hiking along this section requires a lot of energy and is somehow dangerous, it is only recommended to experienced outdoor adventurers.

 Route: Xizhazi Village - Xidaqiang Wall - Beijing Knot - Eagle Flies Facing Upward - Sky Stair - General Guarding Pass - Jiankou Spot - Xizhazi Village
 Hiking distance: about 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) 
 Height difference: 550 meters (1,800 feet)
 Time needed：6-8 hours
 Difficulty: ★★★★★

The day before the tour, our guide will contact you to confirm where and when to pick you up. It’s advised to set off early. At the agreed time today, he or she will show up at the confirmed location on time. After meeting you, leave for the Jiankou Great Wall directly by public transport. 

→ Take subway line 2 or line 13 to Dongzhimen Station and get out from Exit H to the Dongzhimen Transit Hub. 
→ Take bus no. 916 Express and get off at Yujiayuan Stop in Huairou District. The bus leaves about every 5-15 minutes from 05:50 to 20:00. This bus trip needs about 1-1.5 hours. 
→ Then hail a taxi by roadside or a private car on the car-hailing apps to the fifth team of Xizhazi Village (Xizhazi Cun Wu Dui) at the foot of Jiankou Great Wall. It takes about 50-60 minutes. Bus no. H25 travels from Yujiayuan to Xizhazi Village, but it is only available at 11:30 and 16:30 each day; so we will not waste time waiting for it.

 This is a guided tour by eco-friendly public transport. If you need a private car, feel free to contact our travel consultants to arrange it for you.

From Xizhazi Village, follow the guide to hike southward along country road to the mountain foot, the starting point of the uphill path to Jiankou Great Wall.  

Starting the mountain foot, you will reach Xidaqiang Wall after around 45 minutes' hiking. 

Then, follow the Great Wall rampart southwards for some time and climb up a nearly vertical stairway to the Beijing Knot, a joining point of Great Wall sections from three directions. Besides the way you come, you can see other two ramparts: one stretching to the south of Jiankou and the other west all the way to Xiangshuihu Great Wall.

Standing at the Beijing Knot, you can overlook the Eagle Flies Facing Upward to the south, who got this name because of the similar appearance to a flying eagle. A watchtower at a lower position looks like the head of the eagle and two sections of upward walls are its two wings. 

The Sky Stair is at the east wing of the eagle. Although only 80 meters (90 yards) in length, it is regarded as one of the most challenging section of Jiankou Great Wall because of a slope of 70 degrees. 

After that, continue this hiking route along the ruined wall for about 30 minutes to the General Guarding Pass. After another one hour's trekking, you will arrive at the lowest point of this section named Jiankou Spot. 

Get down from the ramparts there and walk along a trail northward back to the Xizhazi Village.

→ As the bus no. H25 only departs for Yujiayuan at 06:30 and 13:10 every day, the guide will hail a car on the car-hailing Apps and escort you to Yujiayuan in Huairou District.
→ Change to bus no. 916 Express back to Dongzhimen. The last bus no.916 Express departs from Yujiayuan at around 18:50. 
→ Connect to subway line 2 or line 13, or buses 3, 106, 107, 132, 401, 404, 416, 418 or others back to your hotel. 

If interested, you may stay one night in Xizhazi Village and continue hiking the north or east section of Jiankou Great Wall tomorrow before going back to Beijing. There are hostels in Xizhazi Village providing accommodation and dining services. If you plan to do this, inform our travel consultants and the guide in advance. 

 See Hiking Route from Nine-Eyed Tower to Beijing Knot

1. The Jiankou Great Wall around Beijing Knot was constructed of stone bricks. After hundreds of years' exposure to the wind and rain, some sections have already collapsed into gravelly tracks revealing faint traces of the former stairs. It is highly suggested you wear skid-proof climbing boots and watch your step during the climbing. Even use both your hands and feet at some steep sections like the Eagles Flies Facing Upward and Sky Stair. 
2. Do not make this hiking tour around Beijing Knot during rainy, snowy or thundery days.
3. Go along the path beside the Great Wall at some difficult sections. 

 Photos of Jiankou