Jiankou Great Wall is located at Xizhaizi Village, 30 km from Huairou District, and 70 km from Beijing. It will take a two-hour driving from Beijing downtown. Jiankou Great Wall is regarded by some people as the most picturesque section of Great Wall and is a good example of Wild Great Wall. It’s become a popular photographic hotspot and hiking destination in recent days.
Jiankou is translated as Arrow Nock in English, since the shape of the mountains where the wall was built is like an arrow with the collapsed ridge opening as its arrow nock. The main section of the wall was built along the ridges with steep cliffs on each side. Therefore, you have to prepare for a good fitness and great care if you climb this section.
Jiankou Great Wall consists of 28 towers, and the most popular towers includes: The Nine-Eye Tower, The Beijing Knot and Stairway to the Heaven. One section called 38 Big Steps is really steep with an angle of 80 degrees. Zhengbeilou Tower is the right place to appreciate the beauty of sunrise and sunset.
Hiking from Jiankou to Mutianyu or reverse can be an alternative for those who really want to experience Jiankou section. You can start from Zhengbeilou Tower, where you have a panoramic view of the whole Jiankou section, and then walk eastward to Mutianyu. In this route, you will not miss the scenery, and not try the risk as well, and a fairly five hours hiking. You will finish the hiking at Mutianyu, and then try a fun experience of toboggan down the mountain.
Tips:
Jiankou Great Wall is not peaceful any more. The scenery is breathtaking here, but it’s not for all ages. Some walkers claimed here as rock climbing instead of hiking. Try to avoid weekend in summer time, since it’s crowded with local Chinese, and you have to wait the long queue in certain dangerous sections. You have to watch your steps very carefully. In a bad weather like lightening and rainstorm, you have to get off the wall as quick as possible. Several Chinese were killed by lightening in the past years.
Definitely kids and seniors are not recommended here. Simatai, Jinshanling and Mutianyu are good alternatives. It’s highly recommended to employ an English-speaking guide in Beijing and a local farmer guide in the village who is familiar with all secret path in the wall just in case. Comfortable boots is a necessary. Stick is helpful but some sections you have to climb up by hands.
How to get there:
Getting Jiankou Great Wall Take Bus No. 916 at Dongzhimen, get off at Huairou Fangshan. There you can find local buses to Jiankou Great Wall. The buses run between 10:00 and 15:00. Sometimes you get confused and puzzled of find the local buses, so you can negotiate with local taxi drivers with RMB 150-200 for a round trip.
Dining & Accommodation
Xizhazi Village
Situated at the foot of Jiankou Great Wall, Xizhazi Village is the base of Jiankou Great Wall where visitors can stop for a rest. If you do a day trip to Jiankou, it’s not necessary to stay overnight. If you want to experience the sunrise and sunset, this village is the best location.
Most the local farmers have newly-built guesthouses, and they are basic and simple. Simple but fabulous home-made local Chinese food is available at these guesthouses. Jiankou is becoming a popular destination among local Chinese, so you have to reserve an accommodation if you go there at weekend, otherwise just go straight.
Standard twin room with private facility will cost RMB 150-200. Multi-shared rooms will cost RMB 20 each and the local heated brick bed (Kang) will cost RMB 20 as well. A public toilet and shower is available for multi-shared accommodation. What’s more, the local dish of rainbow trout is delicious.
