Jiankou Great Wall

Written by Sally Guo Updated Jul. 9, 2021

Jiankou Great Wall, located 70 km from Beijing and 10 kilometers west of Mutianyu Great Wall, is the steepest and most famous wild wall close to Beijing. Jiankou Great Wall stretches 20 km (12 miles) connecting Huanghuacheng Great Wall in the west and Mutianyu Great Wall in the east.

Location: Nestled in a small village named Xizhaizi Village, in Beijing's Huairou District, 2.5 hours drive from downtown Beijing.
Features: a very steep section of the Great Wall with ruined walls and dilapidated towers
Open: Not officially opened to the public
Access: Very hard to reach. Access is only via a hidden steep path through the forest
Ideal for: hikers and adventure seekers
Time for a visit: a day

Jiankou Great Wall Exploration

As the steepest and the most unrepaired section of the Great Wall, Jiankou never fails to make an impression.

The name Jiankou means Arrow Nock in English. It got its name from the wall's unique W-shaped winding equivalent to an arrow's bow.

As the wall stretches across rugged terrain, it soars in rises and plunges into drops with some parts at angles of 70-90 degrees. The wall was built on mountain edges and some parts were built on sheer vertical mountain cliffs. Standing on the wall ruins could make your legs shake a bit!

The wall is untouched and wild. Most parts stand in ruins with only a broken base of bricks and stones.

Compared to renovated parts of the Great Wall, such as Badaling and Mutianyu, climbing Jiankou is pretty tough. In some places, you'll climb rocks almost straight up without any safety rails.

But, the views are absolutely stunning and worth all the effort! You’ll see ruins of the wall winding through mountain peaks, high above your head.

How Steep is the Jiankou Great Wall

We all know the Jiankou Great Wall is very steep, and it is the steepest Great Wall section. Let’s have a look at how steep it is.

We can divide the Jiankou Great Wall into two sections: the eastern part extending to Mutianyu and the western part extending to Huanghuacheng. The most hazardous sections are in the western part, which stretches about 12 kilometers.

The most perilous sections include the Eagle Flies Facing Upward, the Heavenly Ladder, and the Little Potala.

Eagle Flies Facing Upward

Eagle Flies Facing Upward is the most perilous part of the Jiankou Great Wall. The name alone suggests that even an eagle would have to fly upward with its belly facing the sky when it soars past this point. Just from the name, we can imagine how steep it is.

This section runs for 115 meters over a sharp mountain. It steeply drops and then suddenly climbs upwards at 800 meters, with the steepest area rising over 50 meters at a 75° to 90° angle. There's a vertical cliff on the north, with the wall edge shooting straight up from it.

This part can be even literally called a “Vertical Wall”.

Heavenly Ladder

This part is not only exceptionally steep but also remarkably narrow, with steps just wide enough for one foot. As its name suggests, only one person can pass at a time.

It has a dangerously steep slope of 70-80 degrees, extending 70-80 meters. From the top, lower steps disappear from view, making each step heart-stopping. Recently, repair work has begun to fix damaged steps and battlements.

Little Potala Palace

This part boasts two watchtowers perched atop mountain peaks, resembling the Potala Palace in Lhasa. The wall extends vertically up a nearly 90° cliff. From the Zhengbei Tower, you can get an up-close view of the so-called Little Potala Palace towers. You can get a fantastic view of these 'Little Potala Palace' towers from the Zhengbei Tower.

The Most Beautiful Parts in Jiankou

The scenery along the Jiankou Great Wall is stunning, especially in late spring when the mountains are carpeted in wild apricot blossoms. The backdrop of gray bricks and pink flowers make up a beautiful picture. A few of the most picturesque locations on the wall include:

Nine-Eye Tower

The Nine-Eyes Tower is the highest and largest tower on the Great Wall. The tower has nine arrow windows on each of its sides, hence the name.

Situated at an altitude of 1141 meters, it offers panoramic views of the entire Jiankou Great Wall on clear days. You can see it curving and winding along the mountain peaks.

The tower and its surroundings have been restored and are now open to the public as an attraction. Climbing the Nine-Eyes Tower isn't very hard. A round trip covers only about 6 km, and a visit takes about 2-3 hours.

Beijing Knot

Standing at a height of 1,001 meters, the Beijing Knot is the intersection of three different sections of the Great Wall - Mutianyu, Nine-Eye Tower, and Huanghuacheng. It appears like a huge knot interwoven with ribbons when viewed from above.

The Knot serves as a border between the inner sections, closer to Beijing like Mutianyu, and Badaling, and the outer stretches leading to the Gobi Desert.

If you reach the top of the Beijing Knot, you're in for a treat. You'll get an unobstructed, stunning view of the steepest bits of the Jiankou Great Wall, and layers of mountains, and villages at the mountain foot. Stunning scenery!

Zhengbei Tower

Sitting approximately 1000 meters high, Zhengbei Tower is a true standout. It's the largest and most well-preserved watchtower on the Jiankou Great Wall.

When you reach the top, get ready to be amazed. On top of the tower, you can get a clear and close-up view of the steep wall climbing up mountain peaks towering above you.

Zhengbei Tower is also the popular starting point for the adventurous hike from Jiankou to Mutianyu on the Great Wall. Starting here, a memorable 4-hour hike will lead you to Mutianyu.

Ox Horn Edge

Starting from Zhengbei Tower, the wall goes straight up to the top of the mountain, where there is a watchtower. From there, it quickly goes down, curves into the side of the mountain, and then sharply goes up again, reaching a height of over 940 meters. The wall's shape is like the horn of an ox, hence its name.

You will pass through this part if you hike from Jiankou to the Mutianyu Great Wall.

Jiankou Great Wall Hiking

Hiking along the Jiankou Great Wall is the most adventurous Great Wall experience. You will trek along a steep, authentic section of the wall, passing through several dilapidated watchtowers.

The scenery along the way is unmatched, offering views you won't find on any other sections of the wall. You will see the wall climb as high as the sky above you.

Jiankou to Mutianyu Hiking

The whole Wall at Jiankou stretches 22 kilometers with several really steep and dangerous parts. Relatively, the hiking route to the Mutianyu Great Wall is the safest and easiest route. This part is also the best place to view the steepest parts of Jiankou snaking along cliffs.

Length: 6.73 km (4.2 miles)
Time Needed: Around 4 hours
Highest Elevation: 1,202 meters (3,350 feet)
Lowest Elevation: 500 meters (1,650 feet)
Suited for: Hikers and adventure seekers

Start your hike from a small village at the foot of the wall and climb through forests for about an hour before reaching the wall itself.

Use wooden ladders to help you reach Zhengbei Tower, the best-kept tower here. It is the best place to see the steepness of Jiankou. On the top of the tower, You will enjoy a bird's-eye view of the wall as it dramatically snakes over mountain peaks, with treacherous inclines and sharp drops.

From Zhengbei Tower, you'll hike toward the Ox Horn Edge, the highest point on this section of the wall. The initial path is comparatively gentle with flat blocks. However, as you progress becomes steeper with uneven terrain along the cliff.

The views at the highest point are fantastic, especially on clear days. You will see the wall snaking along the mountain ridges and extending toward the sky.

The path from the Ox Horn Edge down to Mutianyu takes a dramatic downward turn with a steep slope of around 80 degrees. You'll need to carefully descend, either by sliding or using your hands and feet for stability.

Jiankou to Huanghuacheng (closed)

This route is very very steep and dangerous. It is officially closed. Along the way, you will encounter some of the steepest parts at Jiankou, including the 'Eagle Flies Facing Upward', 'Heavenly Ladder', and 'Little Patala Palace' with slopes approaching a near-vertical 90 degrees. The wall is completely ruined you can only trek on loose and broken bricks.

Round-Trip Route to Nine Eyes Tower

This 4 km route is relatively gentle. You'll walk on a path of broken stones, since the wall has crumbled into stones over time, and pass through several dilapidated watchtowers.

The view from the Nine Eyes Tower is superb. You can gaze out at peak after peak, all forming a continuous range of mountains.

Jiankou Great Wall Hiking Tips

The route is suited only for hikers and for those in good physical condition.
An experienced guide is crucial for this hiking trip to ensure you don't lose your way and to highlight key features on the wall.
Independent hiking is not permitted. You must join a group for this trip.
The scenic beauty along the way is indescribable, so be sure to take plenty of photos.
Carry breathable waterproof clothing for protection from wind and rain. Also bring along snacks and water if you plan to walk a portion of the wall.

How to Get to Jiankou from Beijing

The Jiankou Great Wall is located in remote mountainous areas about 2 hours drive from Beijing. There is no public transportation. To hike the Jiankou Great Wall, you need to take a tour, as the road to the Great Wall is very complex. You need to climb small paths through the forest to reach the wall. There is no road sign on the way. You will lose your way if you go alone.

When you travel with us, our private car and guide will take you to the foot of the Jiankou Great Wall. Our guide will accompany you throughout the hike, take photos for you, and provide any help you may need.

Best Time to Visit Jiankou

The best times to visit the Jiankou Great Wall are in Spring and Autumn, specifically from March to May, and September to November. During these periods, the weather is comfortable, neither too hot nor too cold.

For the best scenic views, consider visiting in April or October. In April, the mountains bloom with wildflowers. In October, the mountains become a sea of red leaves.

Planning Your Great Wall Tour

If you're up for adventure and exploring the original wall, we recommend hiking from Jiankou to Mutianyu.

For those preferring less challenging routes, but still want to see the wall's original state, consider Jinshanling. It's partially repaired and not as tough as Jiankou. The hike from Jinshanling to Simatai is a popular choice. Here, you can explore the wild wall and enjoy the fantastic scenery.

If you're after a unique experience, try the Simatai night tour. Spend an evening on the unrepaired wall and see the wall's edges lit up.

For a more relaxed experience, visit the well-restored Mutianyu Great Wall.

See below our most popular Great Wall tours

Or let's design a trip for you according to your special requirements.