A close look at Jinshanling Great Wall

Located in Chengde, Hebei Province, the Jinshanling Great Wall is about 140 kilometers northeast of Beijing. Built during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), Jinshanling remains well preserved today. It connects to the Simatai Great Wall on the east side and the Gubeikou Great Wall on the west side.

Jinshanling is extensive, with 67 watchtowers and 3 beacon towers. The walls are about 23 feet high and 6.5 feet wide, made from rammed earth and stones. The watchtowers are approximately 328 feet apart. On clear days, photographing the watchtowers is a delightful experience at Jinshanling.

In early 2022, the third phase of restoration of the Jinshanling Great Wall was completed. Although it remains half restored and half wild, the addition of cable cars now makes it easier for visitors of all ages to complete their journey.

General map of Jinshanling Great Wall

• Main Entrance: 4:00 am to 6:30 pm
• East Gate: 8:30 am to 5 pm
• West Gate: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

• Peak season (April 1st to October 31st): 65 yuan
• Off season (November 1st to March 31st): 55 yuan

You can ascend and descend the Great Wall by cable car. The cable car station is close to the main entrance's ticket check. The cable car costs 60 yuan for a round trip, and it will take you to Small Jinshan Tower.

In spring, apricot flowers bloom, bringing new life to this historical site. Wandering in Jinshanling at this time, you will see flowers highlighting the Great Wall's views. It’s like a symphony of history and nature.

Tourists are hiking on Jinshanling

If you're a hiking enthusiast, Jinshanling might be the best section for you. It has steeper stairs and a longer length than Mutianyu. There are many exits on the Great Wall, creating a dozen hiking routes for hikers at different levels. Every year, Jinshanling hosts annual hiking events, attracting over 3,000 attendees.

Jinshanling opens at 4 am, earlier than sunrise. You can camp at the foot of the mountain or stay in the hotel at the tourist center and get up early to see the sun rising up from the sea of clouds on Jinshanling.

A watchtower of Jinshanling Great Wall

If you're interested in the Great Wall's cultural background, visiting the watchtowers on Jinshanling is a good choice. Almost all the watchtowers here have names and their own stories. Inside each watchtower, there is a plaque with a brief introduction in both Chinese and English. Here are some popular watchtowers on Jinshanling:

These towers gained their names because they have five embrasures on both the north and south sides. These towers are for warfare. Warriors shot guns or arrows on the first floor. The second floor is a dormitory for warriors to rest.

They're also called Xiaojinshan Tower and Dajinshan Tower. These two watchtowers have unique appearances and are well-designed. Looks like the roof is wooden and covered with tiles. Actually, the whole roof is made of stone bricks. Judging from the appearance of these watchtowers, you might think that they are residences in an ancient town in the south of China. However, they are actually watchtowers designed to defend against northern invaders.

The doors and windows of this tower are made of jade. All are carved with floral and animal designs. That's how it got the name "flower tower."

Legend says that lightning caused a fire at this tower many centuries ago. At that time, a lady called Heigu was building the Great Wall with her father and other soldiers. She died because she tried to put out the fire. To honor her, this watchtower was named after her.

Jinshanling is surrounded by lush trees

Compared with Mutianyu, Jinshanling is a bit further from Beijing downtown. Which makes it more complicated to get there. Basically, there are three recommended ways.

Take trains S501 or S503 from Beijing North Station to Gubeikou Station. From Gubeikou Station, grab a taxi to the main entrance of Jinshanling. Train tickets are 12 yuan each, and a taxi ride will cost about 20 yuan. The journey takes about 3 hours to get to the tourist center of Jinshanling.

There is only one express bus to Jinshanling. You can take it at Dongzhimen bus station in Beijing. It's available on weekends and Chinese public holidays. 50 yuan for each ride. The bus leaves at 9 am and arrives at the tourist center of Jinshanling at around 12 am.

If you prefer a more private experience, you can book private car service. Our customized tour includes exclusive cars that fit your schedule. Plus, you can get English-speaking guides to explain all the cool stuff you see during your trip.

By taxi or private car, you can drive to the east or west gate and start your journey there. The bus will take you to the main entrance only. You can either take a shuttle bus to the main entrance if you arrive at the tourist center. This will cost 10 yuan per person.

There are 4 most recommended routes for hiking Jinshanling. Routes 1 and 2 are relatively easy for all ages, while route 3 might be a little bit challenging. Route 4 is the longest, and we only recommend it to experienced hikers. If you're planning a family tour, you can ascend or descend Jinshanling by cable car for an easier trip.

Map of Jinshanling Hiking Route #1

Entering the main gate, head straight for Zhuanduokou Pass. Start to walk east to visit the mideastern section of Jinshanling. This route will lead you to Houchuankou Pass, via popular watchtowers such as General Tower, Heigu Tower, Big Jinshan Tower and Small Jinshan Tower. When you get there, descend the Great Wall by the trail at Houchuankou. If you feel tired on the halfway point of your journey, you can either go down the trail at Shalingkou Pass. For a cable car ride down, follow the trail from Small Jinshan Tower.

Map of Jinshanling Hiking Route #2

Recommendation level: 4 Stars

Starting from Zhuanduokou Pass, head west towards Taochunkou Pass. This itinerary will cover highlights like West Five-Window and East Taochun Tower. On the way, you can see the West Beacon Tower on a hill north of the walls. When you reach Taochunkou Pass and want to descend, take the one directly ahead, because it leads back to the main entrance. The trail one the left takes you to the West Gate, and you may need to walk to the main entrance. Because there's no parking at the west gate, it's tricky to catch a bus or taxi.

Map of Jinshanling Hiking route #3

Enter the site through East Gate and hike along the road to East Five-Window Tower. You will reach the summit of Jinshanling. You can overlook the view of the endless Great Wall. And then, start to walk west until you get to Zhuanduokou Pass. This is an expanded version of Route 1, covering more watchtowers, such as Flower Tower, Shazi Tower, and Four-Window Tower. If you get tired halfway through, you can descend Jinshanling by the trail at Houchuankou Pass and Shalingkou Pass. Also, you can take a cable car.

Map of Jinshanling Hiking route #4Recommendation level: 3 Stars
Time Required: About 5 to 6 hours
Area: East Five-Window Tower to Taochun Tower

This is the route of the annual hiking event. Walk to the east gate from the main entrance. From there, ascend the mountain and get to East Five-Window Tower. Walk west until you get to Taochun Tower. Descend the Great Wall by the trail on the left to the west gate. And then, walk back to the main entrance. The whole route is about 13 kilometers long that may require a significant amount of physical exertion. Thus, we only recommend this route to more experienced hikers.

Jinshanling in early September

The best time to visit Jinshanling is from April to October. The weather is pleasant during these three seasons.

Apricot flowers bloom in March and early April. Since March may have more rainy days, April is a better time to visit Jinshanling.

The best time to view the sea of clouds is from May to October. In the early morning, you will find the mountains surrounded by clouds. During the summer, you can see the lush green trees, which enhance the scenery of the sea of clouds. When it's autumn, the leaves turn orange, like a whole mountain covered in caramel.

The scene is equally beautiful in winter. There will be snow in Jinshanling throughout the winter. Even though there will be staff clearing the stairs, it's possible that there will still be snow left on the stairs, making visits to Jinshanling more challenging.

Jinshanling is half restored and half wild

Jinshanling is one of the best-preserved sections of the Great Wall. The areas for visitors were reinforced. Though the construction looks old, it's rather safe to visit. It witnessed Chinese history. When you stroll on the Great Wall, you may get a glimpse into the past.

The undulating terrain of Jinshanling and additional trails create different hiking routes for all levels and ages, from leisurely strolls to long-distance and challenging treks, which attract hiking enthusiasts all over the world.

Due to its challenging length and steeper stairs, Jinshanling is not on the top list for family tours, resulting in fewer tourist crowds. The tranquility of Jinshanling offers a more private experience than visiting Badaling. You can fully immerse yourself in the historical environment.

Jinshanling has different views in four seasons, and all are stunning and worth seeing. In spring, the blooming apricot flowers bring vigor to the Great Wall. In summer, the lush trees decorate the sea of clouds in the morning. In autumn, the cool wind touches autumn leaves, offering you a peaceful escape. In winter, the whole mountain is snow-covered and seems like a traditional Chinese ink painting.

• 1. Although Jinshanling adjoins Simatai and Gubeikou, their connected sections are still unopened, which means they are wild and unrestored. Thus, we do not recommend you visit the non-tourist area.
• 2. Be prepared for long lines at the cable car station, especially during busy times.
• 3. Wear outdoor clothing and shoes. Pack some gloves and kneepads in case you encounter steep sections that might require a little climbing. An optional walking stick can help when your legs get tired.
• 4. Prepare snacks, food, and enough water (3 or 4 bottles) in advance because there's barely any shop around.