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Hefangkou Great Wall

The Hefangkou Great Wall is located in Huairou District in the northern part of Beijing, about 75 kilometers (47 miles) away from the city center. It was founded during the Northern Qi Dynasty (550 - 577) along dangerous mountain ridges and rebuilt under the command of General Qi Jiguang in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). Famous for its extremely perilous terrain and the unique “The Thinnest Watchtower” among all, it attracts countless Great Wall enthusiasts.

Spanning 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) with 23 watchtowers along the way, much of this section has suffered severe damage over hundreds of years. Currently, about 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles) have been restored to its former glory as much as possible.

Due to its extreme danger, climbing the Hefangkou Great Wall is now prohibited. However, the scenic area has renovated about 400 meters (440 yards) of plank roads in the most scenic part, which are only 2 meters (2.2 yards) away from the Great Wall, allowing tourists to have the opportunity to appreciate the charm of this section of the Great Wall up close.

Highlights of the Hefangkou Great Wall

1. The Thinnest Watchtower – “Jiabian” Watchtower

The Thinnest Watchtower is one of the masterpieces in the history of the Great Wall construction. As the name suggests, it is a narrow rectangle with three arrow windows on each of the long sides and two on each of the short sides. The terrain on the mountain top, surrounded by cliffs on all sides, determined this unique structure, giving rise to this legendary watchtower.

2. Back of Carp

The Back of Carp refers to a huge exposed rock on the mountain range. From a distance, it looks like the back of a carp, hence its name. Although it lacks walls or watchtowers, it actually serves as a natural barrier. Its surface is smooth and narrow, surrounded by sheer cliffs, making it the most perilous section of the entire Hefangkou Great Wall.

3. Hefangkou Fortress

Once a garrisoned castle of the Ming Great Wall, named for its river-course defense, the HeFangkou Fortress measures 250 meters (820 feet) from north to south and 160 meters (530 feet) from east to west. Now it has become a cultural and folk village full of a strong historical atmosphere. To its north is the winding Great Wall, and to its southwest is Yanqi Lake, a popular leisure and sightseeing resort. Moreover, the juicy pears grown by local villagers are definitely worth a taste.

How to Tour the Hefangkou?

At present, the Hefangkou Great Wall can no longer be climbed, but you can still enjoy this section of the Great Wall on the plank road in Jiugukou Natural Scenic Area.

After the transportation journey, first enter the Hefangkou Fortress to explore this village full of historical atmosphere and taste the local food.

Then, walk about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) northeast along the road to Jiugukou Natural Scenic Area, renowned for its nine beautiful valleys and is a sacred place to feel nature.

After entering Jiugukou, walk up along the wooden plank road to see the highlights such as the Thinnest Watchtower and the Back of Carp. Note that the slope of this section of the wooden plank road is quite steep, so it’s recommended for those with good physical strength.

Finally, return to Hefangkou Fortress along the original route.

Tickets:

Hefangkou Fortress: Free

Jiugukou Natural Scenic Area: CNY 20 per person

Opening time:

Hefangkou Fortress: All day

Jiugukou Natural Scenic Area: 08:30 - 17:00, last admission at 16:30

When is the Best Time for a Visit?

The best time to visit is from April to October, when the temperature is pleasant, and the scenic area offers the most attractions and activities.

How to Get to the Hefangkou Great Wall from Beijing?

1. By bus: 2.5 - 3 hours; CNY 16

→ Take subway subway line 2 or line 13 and get off at Dongzhimen Station.

→ Get out from Exit E and walk about 900 meters (1,000 yards) to reach the Dongzhimen Transit Hub.

→ Take bus no. 916 Express to Huairou Zhongyiyuan; the bus leaves every 15 minutes from 05:50 - 20:00.

→ Change to local bus no. H58 to Hefangkou; the bus departs between 5:45 and 20:15 with an interval of approximately 40 minutes.

2. By taxi: 1.5 hours; CNY 800 - 1,200

It takes about 1.5 hours to get to Hefangkou Great Wall by taxi from downtown Beijing. Since it is not easy to hail a taxi on the return trip, it is recommended that you communicate with the taxi driver in advance about the itinerary for returning to the city after the tour. The round trip will cost about CNY 800 - 1,200.

Tips:

1. If your time permits, you can visit the nearby Yanqi Lake, which offers a variety of water activities.

2. As the Hefangkou Great Wall is close to the highway, you can capture unique photos of the Great Wall from a different angle by the highway.

3. The Mutianyu Great Wall is about a 40-minute drive west of the Hefangkou Great Wall, and the Simatai Great Wall is approximately a 1.5-hour drive east of the Hefangkou Great Wall. When visiting these restored sections of the Great Wall, you can also stop by the original and unrestored Hefangkou Great Wall along the way to enrich your travel experience and offer a more comprehensive exploration of the Great Wall’s diverse charm.