Introduction: Great wall hiking guide
The Great Wall of China, also known as 長城 Chángchéng is a series of fortifications located on the northern Chinese Border. Its main purpose was to protect the Chinese empire and consolidate its territories against nomadic tribes and other countries.
Nowadays, the Great Wall of Chine refers only to one part of the wall that was built during the Min Dynasty (1368-1644).
In fact, the first walls date the 7th century BC. It was later during the rule of Qin Shi Huang (220-206 BC) stretched. But little remains from it.
If you are looking for a more general Travel guide: The Ultimate Beijing Travel Guide
Table of Contents
Mapping the day
Beyond the defences
The walls were not only a defensive item, but it was used to control the borders and impose duties on good carried along the Silk Road, to regulate the trade between China and the rest of the world as well as to mange immigration.
In addition, the wall itself was use as a transportation route.
The evolution of the walls
Years after years the walls were built and enhanced. And if it started as a simple wall, it later had watch towers, troop barracks, garrison stations and signalling tower (through smoke and fore).
Based on the latest survey and archaeological study, the walls built by the Ming dynasty measure 8850km made up of 6259km of actual wall, 2232km of natural defences (hills and rivers) and 359 of trenches. This is what is today call the Great wall of China.
And another survey revealed that the series of walls stretch over 21 196km. Many specialists agree that the walls of China are one of the most impressive architectural defensive system in the world.
The Great wall of China (Beijing)
The most known parts of the Great Wall are located near Beijing, capital city of China. Lots of them can be visited and the best ones are:
- Mutianyu (the best-restored)
- Jinshanling (the most beautiful)
- Jiankou (the wildest)
- Simatai
- Huanghuacheng
- Gubeikou
- Juyongguan
- Huangyaguan
- Shanhai Pass
- Badaling (by far the most crowded)
One of the best options is the Jinshanling section, as it is further from Beijing it is less crowded even though it is the most beautiful part.
We will now focus on the Jinshanling section, as it is the one, we opted to visit.
Jinshanling Great Wall
Features
Originally built from 1368 to 1389 under the Ming dynasty, it was rebuilt and improved in 1567 and 1570.
The origin of its name 金山岭 Jīnshānlǐng (Gold Mountain Ridge) come from the mountain it was built on, the Gold Mountain.
The wall was only half restored.
The trail from Jinshanling are toward Simatai Great wall section to the east and Gubeiko to the west.
This section of the wall contains 31 Watch towers built with different shapes (taller, smaller, rectangular, square…) Most of them have 2 floors but one is a rare monument with 3 floors (near the west end of section). Unfortunately, it’s located in a military restricted area)
Hiking Jinshanling
Jinshanling great wall has maintain is original appearance and is a part of the wall that offer stunning landscape. Even though it is a famous section, it remains less crowded and less touristic.
The entrance cost if around 65 RMB in the peak season and 55 RMB is the low season.
The most hiked section is from the West gate (Main one) to the East one. This route is about 7km long and take up to 3.5 to 4h.
It’s a moderate/hard hike and can be achieve by most of the people.
When to visit it?
It is recommended to visit the great wall in May and June when the weather is yet not too hot, and the mountain covered of green.
But the scenery of the wall can be explored all year round, but it is STRONGLY recommended to avoid Chinese national holidays, so before going there, check-out the date on internet.
This section is opened from 8am to 5pm.
Getting to Jinshanling
Tour
The easiest way is without a doubt with a tour. This way you do not need to worry about transportation. You can either chose from a renowned tour company or ask your hotel for advises.
Direct Bus
You can also go there on your own, for that take the Beijing Metro line 2 and exit it at Dongzhimen. Get out and walk along Dongzhimen Wai Dajie (东直门外大街), then turn left and keep straight along Dongzhimen Wai Xiejie (东直门外斜街) to find an open-air bus station on your left side. The bus leave at 7:40am and return from Jinshanling at 3pm (Only available from April 2nd to November 14th). The cost is 50RMB.
You can also get to Wangjing West station and take the bus at 8am. It is the same bus but one station later. Also, from there you will have another chance if you miss it.
To get there ride the Beijing metro line 13 until Wanjing West station and take the exist B. Walk down the bridge and then go left. After 100 to 200m you will find an open-air station.
But information can change fast, you check out with your hotel/hostel there before going.
City bus
If you miss the direct bus, you can take city bus from Wanjing West. Take the city bus toward Luanping bus station(滦平) and get off at Jinshanling highway service station (金山岭高速服务区) which is 1.5km from the East Gate of Jinshanling Great wall. The cost is 32RMB.
From there take the free shuttle bus to connect to Jinshanling Great Wall East. If you want to reach the main gate, you will need to transfer to another 10RMB shuttle bus from the East gate.
Pick up at: 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:30 pm.
Return at: 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, 3:00 pm
Where to eat
There aren’t many options to eat in this section of the great wall. There are though a couple of restaurants near the West gate (Main entrance).
Another great solution is to bring your own meal. Which could be the best idea. Then you can even have it during your trek on one of the watchtower
“The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.” Lao Tzu
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