Jiankou Great Wall
箭扣长城
The most dramatic and photogenic Ming-dynasty wild section of the Great Wall. The wall winds along the ridge in a 'W' shape, and spots such as Eagle Flight and the Beijing Knot are famous among photographers.
Jiankou Great Wall stands on the ridge bordering Yanqi and Bohai towns in Huairou District. To the west it connects with the Mutianyu Great Wall. Its name comes from the shape of the entire wall, which looks like a drawn bow with an arrow nocked on the string. This is an unrestored Ming-dynasty section, and its weathered watchtowers and steep ridgelines have a striking sense of age. Famous photo spots include 'Eagle Flight Upside Down,' the 'Heavenly Ladder,' and the 'Beijing Knot,' where three sections of the wall meet. Please note: Jiankou is an unopened section of the Great Wall. Climbing it is officially prohibited, violators have been penalized in recent years, and several dangerous stretches have seen fatal falls. It is better to photograph it from a distance around Xizhazi Village at the foot of the mountain, or to visit the nearby open Mutianyu Great Wall, which offers the same ridgeline views.
Opening hours
Not open (climbing prohibited; view from afar only)
Nearby sights
- Jiuyanlou Great Wall
- Great Wall at Mutianyu
- Four Seasons Flower Sea (Sihai)
- Shengquan Mountain
- Shentangyu Valley
- Huanghuacheng Water Great Wall
- Yanqi Night Valley (Trout Valley)
- Hongluo Temple