Jinshanling Great Wall: History and Visit Planning
Plan a Jinshanling Great Wall visit: its location 130 km from Beijing, Ming-era history, 67 watchtowers, ticket prices and opening times.
Photo: Tom Podmore / Unsplash
Contents
Jinshanling is a section of the Great Wall in Luanping County, Hebei, on the boundary with Beijing's Miyun district and about 130 kilometres from central Beijing. It joins the Simatai wall to the east and the Gubeikou wall to the west.[1] The wall here began in 1368 and was rebuilt under Qi Jiguang, commander of the Jizhen garrison, between 1567 and 1582.[2] The Great Wall as a whole is a UNESCO World Heritage property, built continuously from the 3rd century BC to the 17th century AD.[3]
What makes Jinshanling worth the trip
The wall rolls along ridges about 700 metres above sea level, with 67 watchtowers, five passes and three beacon towers. The watchtowers are close together and no two styles are alike: you find flat, boat-canopy, domed, four-corner and octagonal-caisson ceilings. From the wall you can see the Simatai reservoir to the east and the Miyun reservoir to the south. The Beijing tourism bureau recommends it for hiking and photography and suggests half a day for a visit.[1] Pick a marked walk that fits your time and legs rather than trying to cover the whole section.
Things to Do
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Tickets and opening times
An adult ticket costs CNY 65 in peak season and CNY 55 in the off-season, and peak-season students pay CNY 32.[1] The scenic area's peak season runs from 1 April to 31 October, with entry from 04:00 to 18:30 and last admission at 17:30. A cable car and a sightseeing bus run inside the area and cost extra.[4]
Getting there from Beijing
The scenic area lies on National Road 101, 130 kilometres from the city centre.[1] By car it takes about 2 hours from Beijing on the Jingcheng Expressway.[4] Start early, because the wall is at its most atmospheric in the morning light, and leave time for the return drive before dark.
For broader itinerary ideas, see our China travel guide.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Beijing Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau Publicity Center (Visit Beijing): Jinshanling Great Wall visitor listing. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- [2] Beijing Municipal People's Government portal (content from Jinshanling Great Wall WeChat): Jinshanling Great Wall. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- [3] UNESCO World Heritage Centre: The Great Wall: World Heritage listing. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
- [4] Jinshanling Great Wall scenic area, republished by China Tourism Association Great Wall Branch: 2026 gaokao and zhongkao graduates visit Jinshanling free (member news, 12 June 2026). Retrieved October 23, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Luanping County, Hebei, on the boundary with Beijing's Miyun district, about 130 kilometres from central Beijing. It joins the Simatai wall to the east and the Gubeikou wall to the west.
No. The Great Wall is one World Heritage property that was built continuously from the 3rd century BC to the 17th century AD, and Jinshanling is one section of it.
The wall here began in 1368 and was rebuilt under Qi Jiguang, commander of the Jizhen garrison, between 1567 and 1582.
The Beijing tourism bureau suggests half a day. Add the drive from Beijing, which takes about 2 hours by car.
An adult ticket costs CNY 65 in peak season and CNY 55 in the off-season. The peak season runs from 1 April to 31 October, with entry from 04:00 to 18:30 and last admission at 17:30.
67 watchtowers, five passes and three beacon towers along a ridge about 700 metres above sea level, with views of the Simatai and Miyun reservoirs. The watchtowers differ in shape and ceiling style.
A cable car and a sightseeing bus run inside the scenic area and cost extra on top of the entrance ticket.
