Sizuolou Great Wall

The Sizuolou Great Wall is located in Miyun County, Beijing, approximately 90 kilometers (56 miles) from the city center. “Sizuolou” literally means “four towers” in Chinese. True to its name, this section features three watchtowers and one round beacon tower. As it is situated within the Yunmeng Mountain Scenic Area, it’s also referred to as the Yunmeng Mountain Great Wall.
 

The Sizuolou Great Wall enjoys an excellent geographical location. To the east, it neighbors the Miyun Reservoir, the world’s largest artificial reservoir; to the west, it connects with Yunmeng Mountain, celebrated for its breathtaking scenery and dubbed the “Little Yellow Mountain” due to its numerous soaring peaks. Standing at the highest point of the Sizuolou Great Wall, one can take in the entire view of the Miyun Reservoir and the Yunmeng Mountain Canyon, presenting an absolutely stunning landscape.
 

Moreover, it’s adjacent to the Taoyuan Xiangu Natural Scenic Area, a natural wonderland filled with forests, lakes, strange rocks, ice waterfalls, and peaks. Most tourists incorporate the Sizuolou Great Wall and Taoyuan Xiangu Natural Scenic Area into one itinerary, as it combines wild Great Wall, ice waterfall wonders and reservoir views, making it an ideal, less-crowded hiking destination.
 

Sizuolou Great Wall

1. The Sizuolou Great Wall was initially built during the Northern Qi Dynasty (550 - 577) and was later repaired and reconstructed during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644).
 

2. The main body of the Sizuolou Great Wall is constructed with stones, with clay filling the gaps between the stones. All these materials were sourced locally.
 

3. The four towers, from bottom to top, are the Three-Edge Watchtower, the General Watchtower, the Square Watchtower, and the Round Beacon Tower at the summit.
 

Shaped like a perfect cube, this watchtower has well-preserved interior and exterior structures. It’s the only tower in this section where visitors can ascend to the top. The second floor offers a prime vantage point, providing a sweeping view of the surrounding mountains, lakes, and the winding Great Wall.
 

This beacon tower is cylindrical in shape, a rare form among Great Wall beacon towers. Its base is made of large stone slabs, while the upper part is ingeniously constructed with crushed stones, standing majestically on the cliff.
 

The waterfall, over ten meters (33 feet) high and seven meters (23 feet) wide, plunges down from a great height with a magnificent momentum. Especially in winter, when it freezes, it forms a huge ice waterfall. Under the sunlight, the ice waterfall is crystal clear and dazzlingly beautiful. When the lake below the waterfall freezes, small white bubbles are scattered beneath the ice layer, resembling tiny pearls, creating a very dreamy scene.

The Waterfall in Taoyuan Xiangu

Hiking distance: 10 kilometers (6 miles)

Time: 5 - 6 hours

Difficulty: Moderate, with a few steep slopes.

Hiking route: Shicheng Village - Sizuolou Great Wall - Taoyuan Xiangu Waterfall - Shicheng Village
 

Hiking on the Sizuolou Great Wall

Starting from the Shichengzhen Zhengfu bus stop, walk westward along the road for about 500 meters (550 yards) to reach the foot of the Great Wall.
 

Continue walking along the Great Wall for 400 meters (440 yards) to reach the first watchtower - Three-Edge Watchtower. Then, follow the well-repaired stone steps to General Watchtower and Square Watchtower. Here, you can stop and climb to the second floor of the Square Watchtower to enjoy the surrounding scenery. After that, walk about 500 meters (550 yards) to reach the Round Beacon Tower, marking the end of this Great Wall section.
 

Next, traverse a short gravel path before facing a steep slope with a gradient of over 70 degrees. After surmounting it, enter the Taoyuan Xiangu Nature Scenic Area. Walk along the scenic area’s path for about 3 kilometers (2 miles), enjoying the natural scenery along the way, and you will reach the Taoyuan Xiangu Waterfall area.
 

After staying here for a while, exit the scenic area and walk back to Shicheng Village along the highway.
 

Sizuolou Great Wall: Free of charge

Taoyuan Xiangu Nature Scenic Area: CNY 45
 

Sizuolou Great Wall: All day

Taoyuan Xiangu Nature Scenic Area: 08:30 - 17:00
 

Autumn and winter are the optimal seasons. In autumn, the mountains are ablaze with red maple leaves, and in winter, visitors can marvel at the ice waterfall wonders.
 

Firstly, take Bus 980 Express from Dongzhimen Bus Station to Miyun Binhedaqiao Station, then walk 10 meters (10 yards) to Yanhu Ximen Bus Station, transfer to Bus No. Mi60, Mi61, Mi62, Mi65, or Mi67 and get off at Shichengzhen Zhengfu Bus Station.
 

Bus schedule:

980 Express	From Dongzhimen: 06:00 - 20:00 Back to Dongzhimen: 04:30 - 18:30
Mi60	Get to Sizuolou: 10:00 - 17:00 Return schedule: 07:30 - 14:00
Mi61	Get to Sizuolou: 06:30 - 17:00 Return schedule: 06:10 - 15:30
Mi62	Get to Sizuolou: 10:00 - 15:00 Return schedule: 05:30 - 12:00
Mi65	Get to Sizuolou: 06:40 - 16:30 Return schedule: 08:00 - 15:00
Mi67	Get to Sizuolou: 08:20 - 15:40 Return schedule: 06:50 - 13:00