Great Wall of China in Huairou, Beijing

In Huairou, a suburban district 50 kilometers (31 miles) north from the downtown of Beijing, you can enjoy some of the most essential parts of the Great Wall of China, like the Mutianyu Great Wall, Jiankou Great Wall, Huanghuacheng Great Wall, and Xiangshuihu Great Wall. With easy access and incomparable sceneries, the Great Wall of China Huairou has won great popularity among tourists.
 

Among all the Great Wall of China Huairou, Mutianyu is the most famous. It is the existing longest section of the Great Wall. Looking from a distance, the awe-inspiring Mutianyu resembles a giant dragon winding on the mountain ridges. The watchtowers are densely distributed and you can see crenels every a few steps on both sides of the wall. In the Zhengguan Terrace, three hollow watchtowers are set next to each other, which is rarely seen elsewhere. With such special design, this is a perfect lookout tower. Soldiers can clearly see enemies no matter which direction they came from.

As Mutianyu Great Wall follows the mountain ridge, you can appreciate breath-taking mountain sceneries all year round. In spring, various wild flowers come into full blossom, forming a picturesque scene. In summer, the whole mountain is blanketed by greenness, very refreshing. Autumn witnesses the most gorgeous moment of the Mutianyu Great Wall, as it is surrounded by colorful leaves. The snow scene in winter is very awesome. You may want to appreciate the great architecture covered by snow quietly.

Mutianyu Great Wall in Huairou


 Entrance Fee: 
Adults: CNY 40
Seniors elder than 60: CNY 20 (valid ID or passport required)
Children between 1.2 and 1.4 meters (3.9 and 4.6 feet): CNY 20

 Opening Hours:
March 16 to November 15: Monday - Friday: 7:30-18:00; Weekends: 7:30-18:30
November 16 to March 15: 8:00-17:00

 Recommended Time for Visit: 4 hours

 How to get there from Beijing: 
Take subway line 2 or line 13 and get off at Dongzhimen Station. Then transfer to the Mutianyu Tourist Bus, which departs at 08:30.

Read more about How to Travel From Beijing to Mutianyu Great Wall
 

Jiankou Great Wall in Huairou

Known as the most famous section of Wild Great Wall, Jiankou Great Wall is a favorite of photographers. It’s also a prime pick for adventurous hikers because of the precipitous terrain and unique views. The whole Jiankou Great Wall takes the shape of W, looking like a full-bent bow to release an arrow, hence the name Jiankou, literally “arrow nock” in English. The “Eagle Flies Facing Upward” is the most dangerous section on Jiankou Great Wall, which can be summited only by an 80-degree stair passage allowing only one person at its narrowest. Though Jiankou provides a thrilling experience to walk on the most authentic and untouched Great Wall, think twice before going there for safety concerns.

 Entrance Fee: Free
 Opening Hours: All day
 Recommended Time for Visit: One day

 How to get there:
Take bus 916 Express from Dongzhimen Hub near Dongzhimen Subway Station of Line 2 and Line 13, and get off at Huairou North Avenue (Huairou Beidajie). From there, change to bus line h36 to Tianxianyu and then walk to the entrance of Jiankou Great Wall. 
 

Huanghuacheng Great Wall in Huairou

Among the Great Wall of China Huairou China, Huanghuacheng is unique because of its location by lakeside, with a total length of 10.8 km (6.7 mi). The Huanghuacheng Great Wall embraces Haoming Lake, providing a gorgeous view. The wall is divided into three parts by the lake, so that some parts of the Great Wall are under water, what a rare scene! In mid-summer, yellow wild flowers will blossom around the Huanghuacheng Great Wall, appealing to a large number of tourists. 

Entrance Fee:
CNY 45 for adults and children over 3.9 feet (1.2 meters).
Free for children less than 1.2 meters in height.


 Opening Hours:
April to October: Monday - Friday: 8:30 – 17:00; Weekends, May 1 to 7, and October 1 to 7: 8:00 – 18:00
November to March: 8:30 – 16:30

 Recommended Time for Visit: 3 - 4 hours

 How to get there:
Take bus 916 Express from Dongzhimen Hub to Nanhuayuan Sanqu Station. Then walk to Qingchunlu Nankou Station and take bus h21. Get off at the Xishuiyu Station and walk north to the scenic area.
 

Xiangshuihu is an unrestored section of the Great Wall of China Huairou which is suitable for a hike. In this scenic area, you can have an opportunity to appreciate the Ming Dynasty Great Wall while having fun around the mountain springs and waterfall. Moshikou Pass, the entrance to Xiangshuihu Great Wall, is a critical pass to defend enemies in the past for its advantageous location. Throughout the four seasons, Xiangshuihu Great Wall presents a tranquil beauty bringing you close to nature. The icy waterfalls and plum blossom there in winter add more charm to the Great Wall.

 Entrance Fee: CNY 35
 Opening Hours: February 21 – November 15: 7:30 – 18:00; November 16 – February 20: 8:00 – 16:00
 Recommended Time for Visit: One day

 How to get there:
Take bus 916 Express from Dongzhimen Hub to Huairou North Avenue Station, with a ticket fare of about CNY 10. Then, change to bus h34 and get off at Xiangshuihu Station.

More Great Wall in Huairou:
Hefangkou Great Wall

- Last updated on Aug. 16, 2024 by Catherine He -