Jiankou Great Wall is the greatest and most photogenic section of the Great Wall around Beijing. Jiankou Great Wall is wild and totally unrestored. The tumbledown and crumbling brickwork snakes along a narrow mountain ridge.
So it is dangerous and treacherous to hike this section of the Wall. At the time of my writing, it is still officially unopened to the public due to its risky hike as well as the government’s policy to protect the “wild wall”.
Strictly speaking, it is illegal to hike along this section of the Wall. Travelers have to be responsible for their own safety and legal obligation”. Jiankou Great Wall is situated between Mutianyu Great Wall in the east and Huanghuancheng Great Wall in the west, accessible from Xizhazi Village (西栅子村).
To go to Xizhazi Village, you need first to take Bus 916快 from Dongzhimen Transportation Hub and get off at the stop of Mingzhu Square ( 民族广场）of Huairou District, then bargain with the local taxi driver for a trip to Xizhazi Village ( RMB 100 – 150 ).
The local farmers will charge you RMB 20 for hiking Jiankou Great Wall simply because you will tread their fields. Please notice that you should wear comfortable clothes with strong footwear. Don’t clamber up the Wall in the rain.
Recommended hotels and inns at the foot of Jiankou Great Wall:
Jiankou Great Wall Farm Stay (箭扣长城农家乐)
Travel Tip: Hassle-free Jiankou Great Wall Guided Tours and More
Don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route? No worries, We at Tour Beijing have some options for guided tours to Great wall Tours:
Mutianyu Great Wall Group Day Tour
Mutianyu Great Wall Half Day Private Tour
Hike from Jiankou to Mutianyu Great Wall Tour
Hike from Gubeikou to Jinshanling Great Wall Tour
Hike from Jinshanling to Simatai Great Wall West Tour
Badaling Great Wall + Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour
Badaling Great Wall and Underground Palace Day Tour
Badaling Great Wall + Forbidden City + Tiananmen Square Day Tour
Hiking Cross the Wild Great Wall at Shixiaguan
Further Readings
Top 10 Attractions in Beijing
How to Visit Forbidden City
How to Visit Temple of Heaven
How to Visit Summer Palace
How to Visit Ming Tombs
How to Visit the Great Wall of China
How to Visit Tiananmen Square
How to Visit Hutongs
How to Visit Olympic Sites
Top 10 Markets in Beijing
Top 10 Shopping Malls in Beijing
Beijing Shopping
Wangfujing Night Snack Street
Qianmen Commercial Street
Beijing Huguosi Street
Any questions, just drop a line.
Hi, I am interested in going to this section of the wall with my friend. As such, where would you recommend staying. We were planning on spending one day in Beijing, in the city, but if we want to hike the Jiankou section of the Great Wall, should we stay closer. Please advise. I look forward to hearing from you.
Best Wishes,
Rachel
Hello Rachel,
You can stay at any hotels in downtown Beijing.Then hire a private car to go there in the early mroning and back to Beijing’s city center on the same day.
Usually people would walk from Jiankou to the restored Great Wall at Mutianyu. See ny post below:
http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/walk-from-jiankou-to-mutianyu-great-wall/
Take care and have a good time in Beijing!