Jinshanling Great Wall, located in Luanping County, Hebei Province, is adjacent to Miyun district, Beijing, and is 130 kilometers (80 miles) away from downtown Beijing. This section of the Great Wall of China was built in the Ming Dynasty, and it is connected to the Simatai Great Wall in the east and the Gubeikou Great Wall in the west. Nowadays, it is regarded as “the essence of the Great Wall”, and enjoys a great reputation all over the world.
Basic Facts about Jinshanling Great Wall
- The defense system of the general building is unique in the Jinshanling Great Wall. It is famous for its wide vision, dense defending buildings, peculiar landscape, exquisite architectural art, and perfect preservation.
- Barrier Walls, Bricks Engraved with Writing, and the Horse Barrier Walls are the three wonders of the Jinshanling Great Wall of China, and the morning and evening scenery is the most attractive. After raining in summer and autumn, the clouds and rainbows form a beautiful natural landscape. Therefore, Jinshanling is also known as “the paradise for photographers.”
- There are many scenic spots worth visiting, such as Heigu Tower, Flower Tower, General Tower, Zhuanduoguan Pass, DajinshanTower, and so on, and all of them are a fusion of military defense and architectural art.
- Camping on the Great Wall of China – Jinshanling Great Wall
Read more: 20 Interesting Facts about the Great Wall of China
Why Choose to Visit Jinshanling Great Wall?
- With breathtaking views, the Jinshanling Great Wall has been restored. It is easier for tourists to hike than before, but it is rarely visited by tourists than other sections.
- Various kinds of events take Jinshanling as the site, such as the International Photography Festival, Marathon, Art Festival, and Apricot Festival, so tourists can take part in and have a good time.
Jinshanling Great Wall Overview
Spanning 10.5 kilometers, the Jinshanling Great Wall of China has three beacon towers, five passes, and sixty-seven watchtowers dotted along this section, including the famous Wangjinglou Tower, Dajinshan Tower, Xiaojinshan Tower, and more.
This scenic area boasts three gates: the main gate, the east gate, and the west gate. Close to the ticket station at the main gate, there is a cableway station, which allows tourists to take the cable car to explore the Jinshanling Great Wall. The east gate is a less crowded gate where you can see the middle part of Jinshanling and the Five-window Tower. The west gate opens as well, but it’s a small gate without many facilities.
Jinshanling Great Wall History
As an important part of the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty, this Jinshanling section of the Great Wall was initially built in the first year of the reign of Hongwu Emperor (1368) in the Ming Dynasty, under the supervision of the famous general Xu Da, aiming to defend against invasions by northern ethnic minorities. It underwent multiple expansions and reconstructions, and was nearly completed by the reign of the Chongzhen Emperor.
Thereafter, in the first year of the reign of Longqing Emperor (1567), the renowned general Qi Jiguang further reconstructed and extended the Jinshanling Great Wall based on the initial construction, turning it into a formidable defensive line.
Hike Jinshanling Great Wall
Jinshanling Great Wall is a paradise for hikers. It greets visitors with historic sites and beautiful scenery, which make the hiking experience more memorable. Besides, it offers various routes for hiking enthusiasts at different levels, never miss it on your Great Wall of China tours.
Recommended Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking Routes
Route 1: Entrance – Zhuanduokou Pass – Shalingkou Pass – Exit (3 km)
Highlights: Along this route, you can see the most characteristic barrier walls, supporting walls, watch towers, and more, as if you’ve traveled through time to witness the ancient wars.
Route 2: Entrance – Zhuanduokou Pass – Shalingkou Pass – Xiaojinshan Tower – Cableway Station (4 km)
Highlights: Pursuing this route allows you to visit Dajinshan Tower and Xiaojinshan Tower, the landmark and must-visit sites on your Beijing tours to Jinshanling Great Wall.
Route 3: Entrance – Zhuanduokou Pass – Shalingkou Pass – Houchuankou Pass – Exit (5 km)
Highlights: This enables you to reach the highest point of the Jinshanling Great Wall. Besides, it is the best place for viewing and taking pictures of this section of the Great Wall of China.
Practical Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking Tips
- One day is enough for hiking the Jinshanling Great Wall. But if you want to experience the sunset and sunrise there, stay at a hotel near Jinshanling Great Wall’s main gate. Just remember to make a reservation in advance.
- Don’t worry about eating. There are streets of agritainment, and you can dine in the restaurants there.
- Embark on a hiking route according to your time and energy. If permitted, choose a longer route to challenge yourself. Otherwise, just experience the essence of the Great Wall on a shorter route.
- Weather on the Jinshanling Great Wall changes fast, so bring warm clothes even in summer.
- Bring cash with you, as some shops do not accept credit cards.
Jinshanling Great Wall Marathon
Usually held in May or June each year, the Jinshanling Great Wall Marathon began in 2014 and has gradually developed into a world-famous long-distance running event. This race attracts a large number of running enthusiasts and offers participants a good opportunity to experience a UNESCO World Heritage site.
What’s more, the running route is designed by taking full advantage of the geographical features of the Jinshanling Great Wall, which allows runners to enjoy the magnificent views of the Great Wall of China and the surrounding mountains while running.
Other Activities at Jinshanling Great Wall
- Camping: It allows you to gain a tranquil experience by camping at the foot or near the Jinshanling Great Wall, and you can enjoy the sunrise as well.
- Photography: As a heaven for photographers, Jinshanling presents magnificent views of the Great Wall, especially at twilight and sunrise.
- Cultural experiences: Being a historic site, the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall also offers good opportunities for you to attend the local folk festivals and activities, through which you can learn more about the culture there.
How to Buy Entrance Tickets for Jinshanling Great Wall
You can buy an entrance ticket at the ticket station of Jinshanling Great Wall or book a ticket online via its official ticketing system. Just note that ticket prices are different in peak season and low season.
Jinshanling Great Wall Ticket Price
Price of Entrance Tickets:
| Peak Season (Apr. 1 – Oct. 31) | CNY 65 |
| Low Season (Nov. 1 – Mar 31) | CNY 55 |
Price of the Cable Car:
| Single Trip | CNY 40 |
| Round Trip | CNY 60 |
Jinshanling Great Wall Opening Time
| Peak Season (Apr. 1 – Oct. 31) | 05:00 – 18:00 |
| Low Season (Nov. 1 – Mar 31) | 06:00 – 17:30 |
Best Time to Visit Jinshanling Great Wall
Although Jinshanling Great Wall is suitable for sightseeing all year round, you can enjoy the most beautiful scenery in summer and autumn, especially in April when apricot flowers bloom all over the mountains. Hence, if you travel during these seasons, you will see the most fascinating scenery.
How to Get to Jinshanling Great Wall?
1. Getting to Jinshanling Great Wall from Beijing
By Driving: A good way for you to start a tour from Beijing to the Jinshanling Great Wall is by driving there. Just drive along the Jingcheng Expressway from the 4th Ring Road and move to the Daguang Expressway to the Jinshanling Great Wall. By the way, it is nearly 150 kilometers long, which may take 5 hours and cost CNY 65.
By Train: Make your way to Beijing North Railway Station, Qinghe Railway Station, or Changping North Railway Station to take a train to Gubeikou Railway Station, and then take a taxi to the Jinshanling Great Wall.
By Bus: A tourist bus to Jinshanling Great Wall departs from Dongzhimen at 8:00 am and returns at 4:00 pm, and the journey takes about 2 hours 40 minutes and costs CNY 50.
2. Getting to Jinshanling Great Wall from Other Sections
From Gubeikou to Jinshanling Great Wall: The distance from Gubeikou to Jinshanling is about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles), and hiking there takes about 4 hours. Moreover, you can embark on a private sunset tour at Gubeikou and Jinshanling Great Wall to experience the extremely fascinating twilight.
From Simatai to Jinshanling Great Wall: Simatai Great Wall is adjacent to Jinshanling Great Wall to the east, but the junction has been blocked off. Hence, a detour via the highway will be required to get there.
