Top Choice for Beijing Surrounding Tours: Jinshanling Great Wall
Jinshanling Great Wall is located in Luanping County, Chengde City, Hebei Province, adjacent to Miyun District of Beijing. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction, famously known as "The Great Wall of Ten Thousand Miles, Jinshanling Stands Alone."
● Location: On the large and small Jinshanling mountains in Bakeshiying, Luanping County, Chengde City, Hebei Province. It is an important part of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. About 150 km from downtown Beijing and about 80 km from Chengde city center.
Jinshanling Great Wall was first built in the first year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty (1368 AD), led by General Xu Da. In the first year of the Longqing reign (1567 AD), the anti-Japanese general Qi Jiguang, commander of Jizhen, and Governor Tan Lun of Jiliao continued and rebuilt the wall based on Xu Da’s original construction. Jinshanling Great Wall opened to the public on December 1, 1986.
The Jinshanling Great Wall stretches about 15 kilometers from Wangjing Tower in the east to Longyukou in the west. The wall is generally about 7 meters high, 6 meters wide at the base, and 5 meters wide at the top, wide enough for five horses to ride side by side. Along this section, enemy towers, battle platforms, and barracks are densely distributed, with 158 enemy towers and battle platforms.
As the most well-preserved section of the Ming Great Wall, Jinshanling holds significant archaeological value. The Qilin Screen Wall, Inscribed Brick Wall, and General’s Tower defense system are known as the "Three Wonders" of Jinshanling Great Wall.
1. Basic Information
● Address: Bakeshiying Town, Luanping County, Chengde City, Hebei Province
● Opening Hours: Open year-round (except special circumstances)
○ Peak Season (April-October): 06:00-19:00
○ Off-Season (November-March): 07:00-17:30
● Ticket Prices:
○ Adult Ticket: 65 RMB/person in peak season, 55 RMB/person in off-season (prices subject to change)
○ Discount Ticket: Half price for students and seniors with valid ID
○ Cable Car Ticket: One-way 40 RMB, round-trip 60 RMB (optional)
2. Transportation Guide
🚗 Self-driving Routes (from Beijing)
1. Jingcheng Expressway Route: Beijing → Jingcheng Expressway → Jinshanling Exit → Scenic Area (about 2 hours)
2. Jingmi Road Route: Beijing → Jingmi Road → National Highway 101 → Scenic Area (about 2.5 hours)
○ Parking: Parking lots available at East and West gates of the scenic area, 10-20 RMB/day
🚌 Public Transportation
1. From Beijing:
○ Dongzhimen Bus Station → Jinshanling Great Wall Shuttle (multiple daily departures, about 2.5 hours)
○ Beijing North Station/Qinghe Station → Gubeikou Station (high-speed train) → Taxi to scenic area (about 20 minutes)
2. From Chengde:
○ Chengde East Bus Station → Luanping → Transfer to scenic area shuttle bus
3. Recommended Touring Routes
📍 Classic Half-Day Tour (3-4 hours)
East Gate Entrance → Brick Tower Entrance → General’s Tower → Small Jinshan Tower → Large Jinshan Tower → Houchuankou → Return
● Suitable for visitors with limited time
● Enjoy the essence of the scenery with dense enemy towers
📍 In-depth Full-Day Tour (5-6 hours)
East Gate → Brick Tower Entrance → Shalingkou → Houchuankou → Taochunkou → West Platform → Return
● Covers core attractions including Inscribed Brick Wall and Qilin Screen Wall
● Moderate physical demand
📍 Photography Enthusiast Route
Best photo spots:
1. General’s Tower: Sunrise shooting point
2. Small Jinshan Tower: Panoramic view of dense enemy towers
3. West Five-Eye Tower: Best sunset location
4. Recommended in autumn: Mid to late October, when the forest is ablaze with colors
4. Must-See Attractions
🏯 Unique Enemy Towers
1. General’s Tower: Commanded by Qi Jiguang
2. Warehouse Tower: The only double-story enemy tower, featuring the "Qilin Screen Wall"
3. Inscribed Brick Wall: Bricks engraved with firing dates and military unit numbers
🌄 Natural Scenery
1. Sea of Clouds: Often seen after rain clears
2. Jinshanling’s Unique Beauty: Wildflowers cover the mountains in summer
3. Snowy Great Wall: Winter’s silver-white scenery
5. Seasonal Features
| Season | Characteristics | Notes |
| Spring (April-May) | Blooming wildflowers, mild temperature | Wind and sun protection, short flowering period |
| Summer (June-August) | Lush greenery, summer resort | Bring umbrella for rain, mosquito repellent |
| Autumn (September-October) | Fiery red leaves, prime photography season | Large temperature difference between day and night, bring jacket |
| Winter (November-March) | Magnificent snow scenery, fewer tourists | Anti-slip and warm clothing, some sections may be closed |
6. Practical Tips
🎒 Preparation Before Trip
1. Recommended Gear:
○ Must bring: Comfortable non-slip shoes, sun protection, sufficient drinking water
○ Optional: Hiking poles, camera, binoculars
2. Clothing Advice: Layered dressing for easy adjustment
🍜 Food and Accommodation
1. Inside Scenic Area: Simple meal points (prices relatively high)
2. Outside Scenic Area:
○ Jinshanling Great Wall Grand Hotel (at the entrance)
○ Nearby farmhouses: Experience local cuisine, about 50-80 RMB per person
○ Recommended dishes: Luanping tofu, stewed chicken with mushrooms
💡 Travel Suggestions
1. Best arrival time: 8-9 AM to avoid peak crowds
2. Physical effort: The Great Wall has steep slopes, pace yourself
3. Safety Tips:
○ Follow warning signs, do not climb closed sections
○ Avoid staying at high points during thunderstorms
○ Protect cultural relics, do not carve on the wall
📱 Useful Information
1. Official Channels:
○ WeChat Official Account: "Jinshanling Great Wall"
○ Inquiry Phone: 0314-8830222
2. Nearby Attractions:
○ Combine with Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water Town for a day tour
○ About 1.5 hours drive from Chengde Mountain Resort