Jiankou Great Wall

One of the most authentic, dangerous wild Great Wall in Beijing, Jiankou Great Wall is one of the best trails for Great Wall of China hiking tours. It is located in the northwest of Huairou District in the suburb of Beijing, about 30 kilometers away from Huairou County, and Mutianyu Great Wall is just to the east of it.

Jiankou Great Wall starts from Nine-Eye Tower in the north and ends at Ox Horn Edge in the south via Beijing Knot, with a total length of more than 20 kilometers.  Standing on a steep section of the mountain, the Great Wall of China at Jiankou section has not been artificially renovated. Due to the serious natural weathering, it has great sense of historical vicissitudes. 

As one of the most famous precipitous sections of the Great Wall in Ming Dynasty, Jiankou Great Wall appeals to photographers, thus many classic publicity photos of the Great Wall were taken here. However, for protection of the cultural relics and safety, tourists are not allowed to climb without the permission of relevant departments.

Jiankou Great Wall Facts

What to See at Jiankou Great Wall

Jiankou Great Wall can be divided into three sections. The north section is from Nine-Eye Tower to Beijing Knot, the middle section is from Beijing Knot to Jiankou Spot, and the south section is from Jiankou to Ox Horn Edge. The middle part is the most essential part of the view, such as the Beijing Knot, Eagle Flies Facing Upward and Sky Ladder. The south part of Jiankou Great Wall is extremely steep, it almost straight up and down. 

Famous scenic spots include Little Potala, Zhengbei Tower, Shrink Neck Tower, etc. Little Potala is the most famous scenic spot, which is suitable for photographing the steep terrain of the Great Wall of China. The north section is much easier, and you can see the magnificent Great Wall without too much difficult trekking. Jiankou is a extraordinary place to go for your tour in Beijing or Great Wall of China tour.

Major Jiankou Great Wall Attraction

Ox Horn Edge

The Great Wall of China at Jiankou section stretches straight from the mountainside to the top of the mountain. After setting up an enemy tower on the top of the mountain, it suddenly descends, turns down to the mountainside, and suddenly rises again until it reaches an altitude of more than 940 meters. It makes a big bend. The shape is similar to the horns of an Ox, and it is vigorous and powerful. People call it "the Ox Horn Edge".

Zhengbei Tower

Zhengbei Tower is the largest and most complete watchtower in Jiankou Great Wall at present. Although it is not the highest watchtower in Jiankou, it is definitely the best viewing platform. However, some physical strength will be required to climb up to Zhengbei Tower because the rough roads. In recent years, many walker will choose to camp in the Zhengbei Tower, or climb up to the Zhengbei Tower for shooting the beautiful sunrise.

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Sky Ladder

The Sky Ladder was built on a very precipitous mountain, with angle of elevation is 70 to 80 degrees. The narrowest part is only 60 cm wide and the steps are 40-50 cm high. It is necessary to climb with hands and feet. The more you climb up, the narrower and steeper the road is, you may need to use ropes to ensure your safety.

Eagle Flies Facing Upward

“Eagle Flies Facing Upward” is the most famous dangerous section of the Great Wall in Beijing, people who have been to Jiankou Great will use the word “Eagle Flies Facing Upward” to describe the precipitous and danger of the Great Wall. Jiankou is one of the most photographed sections of the Great Wall in recent years, and a hotspot for hikers and photographers.

Nine-Eye Tower

Nine-Eye Tower was originally a square double-layer building, it got this name because there were nine lookout holes on each side of the watchtower. It is also called Wangjing Tower because people can see Beijing city on it on a sunny day. Nine-Eye Tower has only one floor now, which is around 7.8 meters high and 13 meters on each side. The lookout hole is 1.65 meters high and 0.5 meters wide, and there is a 1.2 meters wide circular path for soldiers to visit. 

Nine-Eye Tower is not only the largest watch tower on the Great Wall of China, but also has very important strategic significance in military defense. At present, there are still relics of stove and living room, and there are relics of horse farm, horse drying farm and military camp nearby.

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Jiankou Great Wall Hiking and Trekking

The Jiankou Great Wall is one of the most dangerous yet majestic sections of the Great Wall in Beijing, winding over a ridge 1,141 metres above sea level. On top of the wall, the archery towers are towering and the beacon towers stand as if they are still guarding the peace of this land. Heavily weathered naturally and without any artificial modifications, Jiankou attracts countless tourists, hikers and photographers to visit with its unique charm. >> Check out 6 Best Great Wall of China Hiking Routes

Recommended hiking routes:

The most common starting point for hiking the Jiankou Great Wall is Xijazi Village. From Xijizi Village, there are several routes to choose from, each with its own unique scenery and challenges.

1. The most classic route starts from the Ox-horn or South Building and passes through the General's Guarding Pass, the Heavenly Stairs, the Eagle's Flying Inversion, the Nine Eyes Building, the Beijing Knot, and up to the Wangjing Building (Nine Eyes Building). This route is about 20 kilometers long. The wondrous of structure the Great Wall of China can be fully appreciated.

2. If you plan to walk the main section in one day, you can choose to start from Xijie Team 5. You will pass through the Nine Eyes Building, the West Wall, the Beijing Knot, the Eagle's Flying Inversion, the Heavenly Ladder, the General's Guardian, the Arrow Buckle (the mouth of the stream), the Little Potala, the North Building, the East First Building, and finally return to the Ox Horn and Xijie Team 5. The route is arduous, but the scenery along the way is definitely worth it.

3. If you want to spend two days trekking across the entire Great Wall of Jiankou, most people will camp in the area around the General's Pass below the Sky Stairs. Some people choose to go back to Xijazi village to stay overnight.

>>Recommended 7-day China Wild Great Wall Hiking Tour from Huangyaguan to Mutianyu

Jiankou Great Wall Hiking Tips:

Best Time to Visit Jiankou Great Wall

Autumn is considered the best time to visit the Jiankou Great Wall. From September to October, Beijing has sunny weather, scarlet maple leaves, ginkgoes lining the roads, and an especially stunning view of the Great Wall beneath the blue sky.
However, Jiankou Great Wall has its unique charm in other seasons as well. Spring is the time when everything is revived. In summer, the wall is surrounded by greenery. And the The Great Wall is shrouded with snow in winter. You may visit Jiankou based on your personal preference. >> Learn more about Best Time to Go to the Great Wall of China

How to Get to Jiankou Great Wall from Beijing

1. Bus: Take No.916 bus from Dongzhimen Hub to Huairou North Avenue (Huairou Beidajie), From there, change to bus No. H36 bus to Tianxianyu and then walk to the entrance to Jiankou Great Wall.

2. Private car: Easy Tour China can arrange private Beijing trip to Jiankou Great Wall which will be more comfortable and convenient.   

Further reading