Located 140 kilometers at the northeast end of Beijing City, the Jinshanling Great Wall was initially built from 1368 to 1389 in the Ming Dynasty, and in 1567 or 1570 rebuilding of the Wall was mainly directed by General Qi Jiguang. Poems and tablet writings can be found on the Jinshanling Great Wall, telling the story of the construction. The total length of this section is about eleven kilometers (6.8 miles), and the scenic spot of the Jinshanling Great Wall has an area of 32 square kilometers. The Wall is about seven to eight meters high and five to six meters wide, which is made of brick and stone. The Jinshanling Great Wall has an average elevation of 700 meters.  

Hiking from Jinshanlin to Simatai (14km). Simatai is located to the east of Jingshanling section, 130 km (80 miles) away from Beijing. The 19-kilometer-long wall of Simatai began its construction in 1368. Because this section has retained much of its original 500 year old features it offers a quite hazardous passage to those who wish to walk along it. Needless to say, the inherent dangers offer a challenge that is quite irresistible to dedicated hikers in quest of adventure. The 135 watchtowers there remained original style and varied in form. The Wangjinglou Tower at an elevation of 986 metres above sea level is constructed on sheer precipices.  

Muitianyu Section (12-15 km):

>Mutianyu is located in Huairou County, 70 km from Beijing City. In 1998 US former President Clinton and his family came and visited it. With its unique architecture it is called "The Wall where an eagle has to bend his wing". Northern Qi Dynasty (550-577) started to construct a wall here. During Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), two massive reconstructions were implemented by famous General Xu Da and Qi Ji-guang.

The fortifications and the Great Wall here are characterized by many watchtowers on overlapping mountain ranges. Horse trapping snares outside the wall offer a good device of protection and warding off attacks. A trekking route of 12-15 km can be provided to avid hikers. Autumn is the best time to go around the area since many trees turn yellow and red to add more beauty to the Great Wall (as shown in picture).

Badaling - Juyongguan Section (15 km):  

Badaling is located at Yanqing County, more than 70 kilometers northwest from Beijing City. It is a mountain pass of the Jundu Mountain. Badaling is at the highest point of north end of the Guan'gou gorge, in which the Juyongguan Pass lies. In the history, the function of Badaling was to protect the Juyongguan Pass. Along with Guan'gou gorge, there are several interests and historic sites. Badaling is a rare ancient military defense project. The elevation of it is about 1,000 meters. The wall of Badaling has a total length of 3, 741 meters with an average height of 8 meters.

Juyongguan Pass is located in an 18 kilometer-long valley named "Guangou" which is inside Changping County more than 50 kilometers from Beijing City. The present Pass was initially built in the Ming Dynasty and received much renovation later. It is a very important strategic place connecting the inner land and the area near the northern border of China.

Jayuguan Pass is located in the northwest of Gansu Province, one of the best preserved of all Great Wall passes. It was known in ancient times as the first pass in the west end and a key passageway of the Silk Road.

The trapezoid-shaped fort was built in 1372. The outer wall is about 733 meters in circumference and almost 10 meters high. On the two gates in both eastern and western side stand 17-meter-high towers with upturned flying eaves. At the fort's four corners are blockhouses, bowmen's turrets and watchtowers. 

First Beacon Tower

A crumbling remains of a tower built on top of a cliff in 1539 at what once the westernmost edge of the Great Wall, 7 km southwest of Jiayuguan Pass.

Overhanging Great Wall

The overhanging Great Wall is 7.5 km north of Jiayuguan Fort by a dirt road, linking the pass with Black Mountain. The wall is believed to have been constructed in 1540. From the upper tower high on a ridge (quite steep), you can be rewarded by a sweeping view of the Gobi desert, the oasis of Jiayuguan city and the snow-capped mountains in the distance.

Shanhaiguan Pass-East End of the Great Wall

Shanhaiguan became known as the First Pass Under Heaven since ancient times. It is situated in the east of Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province, forming a pass of strategic importance at the eastern end of the Great Wall. It was set up by General Xu Da in 1381 when a fort was erected here. The average height of the Shanhaiguan Great Wall is 11.6 meters, its width over 10 meters. It is built of rammed earth faced with bricks. Five kilometers to the east of Shanhaiguan, the starting point of the Great Wall dips into the sea like a dragon's head. This is why Chinese people name it Old Dragon Head. It is a complex of a stone fortification. From Old Dragon Head to Jiashan Mountain via Shanhaiguan Pass it is an 18-km trekking route.