Jiankou Great Wall Hiking

Jiankou Great Wall is highly cherished by hiking enthusiasts, primarily due to its precipitous terrain and breathtaking vistas. Its hiking routes mainly consist of the west section, north section, and east section. Along the way, you will pass by Beijing Knot, Eagle Flies Facing Upward, Sky Stair and more. These attractions endow Jiankou Great Wall with extraordinary allure, yet also render it one of the most challenging sections of the Great Wall. 

The essence of the Jiankou Great Wall is mainly concentrated in the west section, but hiking this part requires a lot of physical strength and involves a certain level of risk, so it is only recommended for seasoned outdoor adventurers. The north section offers stunning vistas and poses slightly less danger compared to the west section. For those equipped with sufficient hiking experience, combining the Western and Northern Sections in the following manner and completing a two-day hike can offer an extraordinary and distinct experience.

Jiankou Great Wall

 Route: Beijing → 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) 
Climbing altitude difference: 550 meters (1,800 feet)
Time needed：6 - 8 hours
Difficulty: ★★★★★
 → 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 Yangjiayuan Station. The bus leaves about every 5-15 minutes from 05:50 to 20:00. This bus trip takes about 1.5 hours.
→ Then hail a taxi by the roadside or hire a private car to reach the Xizhazi Village at the foot of Jiankou Great Wall. It takes about 50-60 minutes. Bus no. H25 travels from Yujiayuan Yiqu Station to the Xizhazi Village, but it is only available at 11:30 and 16:30 each day. If the time fits your schedule, you can also choose to take this bus. Yujiayuan Yiqu Station is about a 10-minute walk from Yangjiayuan Station.
 

Hiking Trail on Jiankou Great Wall

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

Starting at the mountain foot, you will reach the 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 route you took to get here, you can see two other 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 the terrain is so steep that even eagles have to fly vertically with their heads up when passing through here.
 The Sky Stair is at the east of the Eagle Flies Facing Upward. Although only 80 meters (90 yards) in length, its steep slope of 70 degrees makes it one of the most challenging sections of the Jiankou Great Wall. Using both hands and feet is essential when navigating this stretch, demanding hikers exercise utmost caution.

Note: There exists a mountain road nearby, providing an option for a detour.
 After that, continue this hiking route along the ruined wall for about 30 minutes to the General Guarding Pass. After another hour's trekking, you will arrive at the lowest point of this section named Jiankou Spot. 

Turret on Jiankou Great Wall

 Get down from the ramparts there and walk along a trail northward back to the Xizhazi Village.
 There are hostels in Xizhazi Village providing accommodation and dining services.
 Route: Xizhazi Village → Nine-Eyed Tower → Xidaqiang Wall → Xizhazi Village → Beijing

Hiking distance: about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) 
Climbing altitude difference: 700 meters (2,300 feet)
Time needed: 6 - 8 hours
Difficulty: ★★★★★
 Starting from the Xizhazi Village, head north through the village and follow the signposts to find the path leading into the mountains. This path was trodden out by previous hikers. Continue along the narrow path on foot until you reach a fork in the road. Take the right path and you will soon arrive at a section of the wild Great Wall. Hike upward on the Great Wall carefully; you will finally meet the Nine-eyed Tower.
 This severely damaged section of the Great Wall, shaped like a saddle, has Xidaqiang Wall as its lowest point. Hiking along this broken stretch is extremely perilous. Exercise caution and ensure that each step is firmly planted on stable rocks or bricks before proceeding. Should you encounter difficulties, for your own safety, descend and take the path along the left side of the wall instead.
 From the Xidaqiang Wall, follow the mountain road for about 50 minutes to return to the Xizhazi Village.
 → Rent a private car from the Xizhazi Village and return to Beijing. 
→ Change to bus no. 916 Express back to Dongzhimen Station. The last bus departs from Yangjiayuan at around 18:50.

Corner of a Watchtower on Jiankou

Hikers on Jiankou Great Wall

If time and energy permit, you can allocate another day to explore the eastern stretch of the Jiankou Great Wall, aiming to conquer all its sections. Beginning from Xizhazi Village, follow the mountain path to Jiankou Point. From there, proceed eastward all the way to Ox Horn Edge Wall. At this juncture, you have two options: either take the mountain path back to Xizhazi Village, or continue the eastward trek to the Mutianyu Great Wall and then make your way back to Beijing from Mutianyu. This hiking route spans approximately 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) and generally takes around 5 to 7 hours to complete.
 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. 
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.
4. Bring enough water and food to replenish strength during the hiking.
5. For safety reasons, do not hike the Jiankou Great Wall alone. It is best to have a professional tour guide.
 15 Great Wall Hiking Tips
Best Great Wall Hike: Top 5 Wild Hiking Routes
Great Wall Hiking Checklist: 15 Things that Expert Hikers Always Take