Beijing Great Wall Hike: Jiankou, Jinshanling and Huanghuacheng

Based in Beijing, spend three days walking three sections of the Great Wall: Jiankou to Mutianyu, Jinshanling, and the Huanghuacheng Water Great Wall.

For fit hikers. Stay in Sanlitun, which is convenient for reaching the Great Wall to the northeast of the city. On day one, after landing, relax at Jingshan and Beihai. On day two, walk the wild Great Wall at Jiankou on to Mutianyu; on day three, travel further to Jinshanling for the restored section; and on the last day, walk the shorter Huanghuacheng Water Great Wall before heading to the airport. Jiankou is an unopened, dilapidated section, so it is best to hire an experienced guide. If you prefer not to take risks, you can walk only the Mutianyu section.

Summers are hot and humid with frequent thunderstorms, and winter paths can be icy and slippery. Spring and autumn are best.

Day by day

Day 1 · Jingshan and Beihai After Arrival

Beijing（Jingshan Park、Beihai Park）

Take the airport express and then the metro or a taxi, about 1 hour, to Sanlitun to drop off your luggage. In the afternoon, take a taxi about 25 minutes to Jingshan, then walk to Beihai.

Stay: Sanlitun

Day 2 · Jiankou Wild Great Wall to Mutianyu

Beijing（Jiankou Great Wall、Great Wall at Mutianyu）

Take a chartered car about 2 hours to Xizhazi Village. Follow Jiankou past Zhengbei Tower to Mutianyu, about 7–8 km and 5–6 hours. Take the cable car or toboggan down, then return to the city.

Jiankou is steep and not officially open. Hire a guide, wear non-slip shoes and bring plenty of water.

Stay: Sanlitun

Day 3 · Jinshanling Great Wall Hike

Chengde Urban Area（Jinshanling Great Wall）

Take a chartered car about 2.5 hours to Jinshanling. Walk from Zhuanduokou to the area around East Wuyan Tower, about 4–5 hours, then return to the city in about 2.5 hours in the evening.

A round-trip bus runs from Wangjing West, but service is seasonal, so a chartered car is recommended in winter.

Stay: Sanlitun

Day 4 · Huanghuacheng Water Great Wall and Departure

Beijing（Huanghuacheng Water Great Wall）

Take a chartered car about 1.5 hours to the Huanghuacheng Water Great Wall. After half a day of sightseeing, go directly to Beijing Capital International Airport, about 1.5 hours in the afternoon.

The Huanghuacheng section is short, so leave plenty of time for the airport.

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