Jinshanling Great Wall
金山岭长城 · Luanping County, Chengde, Hebei, China
A 10.5 km stretch of Ming Great Wall, fully restored near the entrance and increasingly weathered towards Simatai, so a single hike lets you compare restored and wild sections.
Know before you go
- Leaving the open trails
- climbing damaged walls or watchtowers
- carving on the bricks
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
History
Restored wall and wild wall
Jinshanling is a Ming Great Wall; one account says construction began around 1570. Today you enter past walls restored as new; continue east towards Simatai and the wall grows more and more worn. Restored and ancient stretches share the same ridge, showing centuries of weathering on the Great Wall.
Source: Wikipedia: Jinshanling
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
The Jinshanling Great Wall is in Luanping County, Chengde, Hebei, about 125 km northeast of Beijing, bordering Gubeikou to the west and Simatai to the east. This section is 10.5 km long, with 5 passes, 67 watchtowers and 3 beacon towers. The area around the entrance has been restored as new, while towards Simatai the wall becomes increasingly worn and keeps its natural character. Locally, the barrier walls, the inscribed bricks and the horse-blocking stones are called its "three wonders"; the watchtower interiors come in square, rectangular and round layouts. Jinshanling is a Great Wall built in the Ming dynasty; accounts differ on the years of its construction and rebuilding. One account says work began around 1570, and the common version links it to the Ming frontier rebuilding led by Qi Jiguang. It is a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level and part of the Great Wall World Heritage Site.
Local customs
- Hike along the ridge and look closely at the barrier walls and bricks between the watchtowers
- sunrise, sunset and the cloud and mist after rain are the best times for photography. The restored and natural sections differ greatly in surface and gradient, so pace yourself and save your energy.
Etiquette & taboos
Etiquette & taboos
Don’t DON'T
- Leaving the open trails
- climbing damaged walls or watchtowers
- carving on the bricks
- touching or making rubbings of inscribed bricks
Locals appreciate DO
- Stay on the open trails
- look at inscribed bricks without touching
- watch your footing in rain and fog
- follow on-site staff instructions
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- The Jinshanling hike is long with steep ups and downs, so wear non-slip hiking shoes and bring plenty of water
- tickets, the cable car and opening hours are as announced by the official sources. Jinshanling, Mutianyu, Badaling and Simatai are different sections of the Great Wall, so do not mix them up when planning.
- From central Beijing you can take a long-distance coach or drive via the expressway to the Jinshanling area of Luanping County, or first head towards Gubeikou or Simatai and transfer
- check official sources for services. Spring and autumn bring good visibility and mountain colours, ideal for long hikes and photography
- after summer rain cloud and mist are common, but watch out for thunderstorms and slippery paths
- after winter snow it is windy and slippery, and opening depends on on-site notices.
Sources & verification notes
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