The Great Wall of China at Jinshanling Section

Jinshanling Great Wall is one of the quiet, typical, and most complete sections of the Great Wall from the Ming Dynasty, located 130 kilometers from Beijing. There is a saying that: "Of all the sections of the Great Wall of China, Jinshanling stands out". The architectural art of the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall is reflected in its layout on the mountains, the marvelous design, the enduring stability of the walls, and the defensive military watchtowers. You will enjoy a feast of ancient architecture when walking along the Great Wall at Jinshanling. In this article, Trippest detailed the travel information and tips about Jinshanling Great Wall for you:

Features of Jinshanling Great Wall

• Minimal crowd, peaceful, and quiet. The Great Wall at Jinshanling is isolated and is one of the quietest sections of the Great Wall. A visitor said that: "In the 4 hours we spent there, we only saw maybe 20 other people."
• Spectacular views. Views from the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall are amazing. You will hike between several mountains while enjoying nature without any other human activities.
• Original appearance. Some sections of the Great Wall at Jinshanling have been restored but not overly so. You can explore the most authentic sections of this time-honored Chinese architectural structure, no matter whether they are damaged sections or complete sections.
• Challenging section. This is a fairly strenuous hiking experience. Hiking between steep mountains or stages is challenging so you need to be physically fit.

Historic and Travel Facts about Jinshanling Great Wall

• Who Built It and When? The Jinshanling section of the Great Wall was originally built from 1368 to 1389 in the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), and was restored from 1567 to 1570 by a famous general named Qi Jiguang.
• Why Was It Named Jinshanling? It is located on the ridge of the Big and Small Jinshanling Mountains hence its name.
• How Many Watchtowers Are There? An enchanting highlight of the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall is its 67 watchtowers of various types. Some of the watchtowers are short, some are tall, and some are rectangular. The most unique watchtower is a three-floor watchtower, which is rare among the other sections of the Great Wall.
• How Long and Wide Is the Great Wall at Jinshanling? The Jinshanling section of the Great Wall is 10.5 kilometers long and 5 meters wide.
• What Are the Differences Between Jinshanling and Other Sections of the Great Wall? The watchtowers have various types of roofs and materials. The watchtowers are made of bricks, wood, or stone. The roofs are square-shaped or domed.

Highlights of the Great Wall at Jinshanling

Compared with other Great Wall sections around Beijing, the Jinshanling section welcomes travelers with spectacular views, minimal crowds, and both restored and original sections. There are five highlights you can't miss.

Heigu Tower

Heigu Tower was built in 1569. It was originally made of bricks and wood, and then rebuilt with stone. Its name originated from a folk legend: a little girl named Heigu was taking part in the construction of the Great Wall with her father. But, unfortunately, she lost her life when she fought against a fire. To commemorate her brave spirit, the building is named Heigu Tower.

Flower Tower

Like Heigu Tower, Flower Tower was also made from bricks and stone. It was built in 1579 and featured delicate sculptures and marvelous building skills. There are two floors: the first floor has indoor and outdoor arches, and it was linked with outer corridors in the past. The doors and windows are decorated with flowers and animals, hence the name.

Xiliangzhuanduo Tower

Xiliangzhuanduo Tower had an important strategic position in ancient times. It was made of wood. It is now a ruined beauty; the wooden ladder has collapsed and only the wall remains intact.

Eastern Five-Window Tower

Eastern Five-Window Tower is an ideal place to capture spectacular views of the Great Wall. It was built in 1579 and the top of it was built in the shape of a ship. Its second level has been damaged heavily but you can easily look at the wall and floor.

General Tower

General Tower was built in 1569 and is regarded as being representative of the defensive military system of the Great Wall at Jinshanling. The beacon tower, buttress wall, outer city wall, and the horse barrier wall are arranged together in a compact defensive military system.

Jinshanling Travel Tips — Hiking Tips, Transportation, and Jinshanling to Simatai

• Location: 130 kilometers northeast of Beijing
• Opening hours:
• April to October, 6am to 6pm
• November to March, 7am to 5pm
• Admission fee:
• April to October, 65 yuan
• November to March, 55 yuan
• Best times: spring and autumn, especially in May and June. Choose the fine weather to enjoy spectacular views of the Great Wall.

The Most Popular Hiking Route

Most visitors prefer to get to the top of the Great Wall by taking a cable car at Hanlonggou. Then you can visit the Great Wall at Jinshanling from the east section to the west section, and finally return to see the scenic spots along the road. Jinshanling to Simatai travel tip: You can hike the Jinshanling and Simatai sections of the Great Wall together because they are linked. It’s about 3-hour hiking to walk both sections and you should pay for two tickets for these two sections. It’s almost impossible for solo travelers to hike these two sections within 1 day from Beijing. Maybe join a local group tour is a good idea for you.

How to Get There

There is a direct bus from Beijing to the Great Wall at Jinshanling from 8am to 3pm.

• Step 1: Go to Wangjing West stop via subway line 15.
• Step 2: Walk for 100 to 200 meters to find the bus station.
• Step 3: Take a bus trip for about 2 hours to get to the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall.

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