The Great Wall at Jinshanling
Jinshanling offers the Great Wall as it truly is — crumbling watchtowers, steep ridges and sweeping mountain panoramas without the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds of Badaling. The two-hour hike east toward Simatai is one of the most photogenic walks in all of Asia.
Why Jinshanling beats the tourist traps
Most visitors pile onto the Badaling section near Beijing, but Jinshanling, roughly 130 km northeast of the capital, rewards those willing to travel a little further with dramatically intact battlements draped across forested ridgelines.
The 10.5 km stretch here includes 67 watchtowers, many still bearing original Ming-dynasty brickwork. Dawn light turns the stone a warm amber, and morning mist often pools in the valleys below, creating that iconic ink-wash landscape painting effect.
Planning your visit
The classic route is a 10 km linear hike from Jinshanling to Simatai West, taking three to four hours at a leisurely pace. Wear sturdy shoes — some sections are steep and the original stone steps are uneven.
Shuttle buses depart from Beijing's Wangjing area early each morning, making a day trip straightforward. Alternatively, stay overnight in one of the guesthouses in Gubeikou village to catch sunset and sunrise on the wall.
Entrance is 65 CNY (about USD 9). The wall opens at 8 am and closes at 5 pm; mid-week visits in May or October offer the best combination of good weather and thin crowds.
The Great Wall at Jinshanling on video
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