Written by Candice Zhao |
When talking about the Great Wall of China, popular sections like Badaling and Mutianyu usually come to mind first. However, for adventure enthusiasts, Jiankou Great Wall, as one of the most dangerous sections of the Great Wall, offers a much more rewarding challenge.
Jiankou Great WallĀ is a wild sectionĀ built along the ridges with dense steep slopes and narrow roads. In some parts, there are even cliffs on both sides. Compared with other well-developed sections, itĀ features anĀ unrestored original state and a more rugged and challenging terrain. That means a thorough preparation is more essential when planning a visit to this section.
To ensure you enjoy a safe experience, this articleĀ coversĀ everything from insider safety tips and top highlights to the optimalĀ route for the classic Jiankou-to-MutianyuĀ hike.
- Location: Xizhanlan Village, Huairou District, Beijing, about 80 km east to downtown Beijing
- Ticket: Free
- How to get to: Take bus line 916 to Huairou first and then transfer to bus line H25 to Xizhizi
- Highlights: Perilous and primitive, Eagle Flies Facing Upward, Heavenly Ladder, Nine-eye Tower
- Best time to visit: April – May, September – October
- Recommended visiting time: 4 – 6 hours
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Is It Legal to Hike Jiankou in 2026? (The Real Status)
Jiankou Great Wall is currently not developed as a attraction and organized climbing activities are strictly banned. However, there is no explicit regulation to prohibit personal climbing. So there are many hikers still attempting this sections every year. Just note that at some entrances, local villagers may charge a small ātollā, CNY 20 /USD 2.89 per person.
For the protection of Jiankou Great Wall and the safety of tourists, there may be inspectors dissuading people from climbing it. Therefore, if you plan to explore the section,Ā you need to bear the risks by yourself.
How to Get to Jiankou Great Wall?
In brief, all tourists need to get to Huairou District first and then transfer to Jiankou Great Wall. Here is the most recommended route.
Step 1: Beijing – Huairou: First, take the expressĀ bus line 916Ā from Dongzhimen Hub Station to Yangjiayuan Stop. This bus operates from 05:50 to 19:50 and costs CNY 12/USD 1.74. A single journey will take about 1.5 hours.
Step 2: Huairou – Xizhazi Village:
- Walk eastward from Yangjiayuan Stop to Yujiayuan Stop, then transfer to bus line H25 to Xizhazi stop. The bus departs from Yujiayuan at 11:30 and 16:30 and returns from Xizhazi at 06:30 and 13:15, with a cost of CNY 8/USD 1.16 and a travel time of about 70 minutes.
- Besides the bus, you can also take a taxi from Yangjiayuan Stop to the Xizhazi Village directly. It will take about 1 hour and cost about CNY 60 – 80/USD 8.68 – 11.58.
Major Attractions in Jiankou Great Wall
Jiankou Great Wall stretches about 20 km from north to south on the ridge. It can be divided into North, Middle and South Sections and each section has unique landscapes.
- North Section- More Photography Spots
- Nine-eye Tower: With nine holes on each side, it is named Nine-eye Tower. It is the largest watchtower on the Great Wall with the most observation holes. On sunny days, it can offer a distance view of Beijing, thus also called Wangjing And it is the best photography spot for the starry sky and cloud sea.
- Beijing Knot: Three sections of Great Wall converge here, resembling a Chinese knot. You can enjoy a panoramic view of the scene from the watchtower. There is also an umbrella-shaped pine tree, which is an iconic landmark for photos.
- Middle Section: Most Perilous and Essence
- Eagle Flies Facing Upward: The most challenging section on Jiankou Great Wall. It is like an eagle soaring upward. With aĀ slope of nearly 80Ā°Ā and no railings, it is almost vertical and requiresĀ using both hands and feet.
- Heavenly Ladder: This is a section with a 70-degree steep slopeĀ and a length ofĀ 70 to 80 meters. The narrowest part is only 60 cm wide and the steps are 40 – 50 cm high. It is another most representative dangerous section.
- South Section- Best View of The Great Wall
- Little Potala Palace: It got the name because the watchtower clusters resemble the Potala Palace. The multiple tiers of watchtowers are arranged in an orderly manner, making it suitable for capturing the architectural depth and dimension.
- Zhengbei Tower: As the highest point of this section, it has been a classic spot to overlook the surrounding mountains and the winding Great Wall. It is currently under renovation and is expected to reopen in late November 2026.Ā
Best Time to Visit
April – MayĀ and September – OctoberĀ are the best times to plan a tour to Jiankou Great Wall. In spring, the peach and apricot blossoms are in full bloom on both sides of the section, creating a beautiful flower sea. The temperature is just moderate.
During September – October in autumn, the forests are dyed and complement with the ancient wall. Photographers can not miss this period. The cool weather also creates an ideal condition for hiking.
How to Hike from Jiankou to Mutianyu on the Great Wall
Jiankou connects Mutianyu in the east and Huanghuacheng in the west. The section from Jiankou to Mutianyu is a classic hiking route for experienced hikers. In one day, you can experience the primitive desolation and thrilling excitement of Jiankou and the well-preserved and magnificent beauty of Mutianyu.
The detailed route is Xizhaxi Village – Xidaqiang – Beijing Knot – Eagle Flies Facing Upward, Heavenly Ladder – Jiangjunshouguan – Jiankou – Small Potala Palace – Zhengbei Tower – Niujiaobian – Mutianyu
Usually, it is advised to descend the mountain from the watchtower 20 of Mutianyu. The total length is about 6 kmĀ and takes about 5 – 7 hours. Since this is an undeveloped section and the road condition is very complex and dangerous, do not hike alone and always go with at least one experienced companion.
Necessary Tips for a Jiankou Great Wall Tour
Safety tips: Along the hiking route, there are many challenging sections. But you don’t have to force through all these sections, try to find safe paths near them. WithĀ several retreat points along the way, it also allows you to retreat in time if you feel stressed or exhausted.
Guide:Ā It is strongly recommended to hire a guide who has experience of climbing Jiankou and form a team of at least 3 persons. Some homestays in Xizhazi Village offer chartered vehicles and guided tour services.Ā You can reserve by phone in advance.
Clothes and shoes:Ā Waterproof jacket, fleece, quick-drying pants and shirts, thin down jacket, climbing shoes or hiking shoes
Food and water: About 1 – 3 L of water per person, energy drinks are better. Besides, bring some high-calorie snacks.
Other necessary items:Ā Cash, raincoat, alpenstock, keenlet, gloves, sun-protection products, trash bag, power bank, headlamp, bandage, rubbing alcohol
Great Wall Protection:Ā To protect Jiankou Great Wall, it is advised to take all the trash away and do not carve, trample, or damage the walls.
Where to Stay in Jiankou Great Wall
The Xizhazi VillageĀ at the mountain foot is the base camp for all hikers. It is very close to the starting point of the hiking route. Most are traditional farmhouses and the cost is about CNY 100 – 200 / USD 14.47 – 28.95 per person. In addition, there are some boutique homestays. Its cost is higher, about CNY 500 / USD 72.39.
You can book the hotel on common apps like Ctrip, Agoda, etc. As not all hotels are authorized to receive foreign travelers, please confirm with the hotel when making a reservation.
Some tourists may wonder whether it is safe toĀ go campingĀ on Jiankou Great Wall. In fact, it is of highly risky and not recommended. On one hand, tents and fires can all cause irreversible damage to the fragile bricks and stones. It is also not convenient to carry all the equipment, food and water up to the mountain top. Your safety can not be guaranteed if meeting bad weather and wild animals.
Alternative Great Wall Sections For Hiking
If it is too challenging, Simatai Great Wall and Jinshanling Great Wall are both ideal alternative choices. They also preserve the original appearance, meanwhile, they are equipped with basic facilities. So both are safer and better suited for most visitors to go hiking.
Jinshanling Great Wall:Ā Jinshanling Great Wall is in Luanping County, Hebei Province, adjacent to Miyun District in Beijing.
It is renowned as the āpinnacle of the wild Great WallāĀ by many hiking enthusiasts because of its dense watchtowers, well-preserved primeval appearance and fewer tourists. When going hiking here, you can experience the magnificence and the sense of vicissitude of the Great Wall.
Simatai Great Wall: It is the only section in China that retains the original appearance of the Ming Great Wall. The watchtowers 1 – 10 in the east section have been opened to the public. But this section is still relatively steep and requires you to climb with both hands and feet in some parts.
It is also the only section of Great Wall that offers night tours. At the foot of the mountain is the Gubei Water Town, which can also be included in the itinerary to enrich your travel experience.
Plan a Great Wall Tour with China Xian Tour
In Beijing, besides Jiankou Great Wall, there are also many other sections featuring unique charm. We can recommend the most suitable section for you based on your preference.
Also, we are pleasant to tailor a trip for you. Whether you want to visit the Great Wall only or plan a Beijing tour, our travel consultant can customize a perfect itinerary in accordance with your demands. To ensure your travel experience, we will offer 24-hour support until the end of your trip. So Just contact China Xian TourĀ to start your ideal trip.
