Jiaoshan to Sandaoguan Great Wall Adventure

Things to Know before the Adventure

Jiaoshan Great Wall
Jiaoshan Mountain in Qinhuangdao City of Hebei Province is the first peak the Great Wall climbs over from the easternmost Laolongtou Great Wall to the west. The Jiaoshan Great Wall stretches for 1,536 meters (1,680 yards) along the mountain ranges to Daping Peak. Ramparts of this section are 7-10 meters (23-33 feet) in height and the average width is around 4 meters (13 feet), but the narrowest point is of only 2.7 meters (8.9 feet) wide. It used to house five watchtowers, but two of them were severely damaged with only traces of their foundations remaining nowadays. Among the other three towers, the No. 2 Watchtower is the most characteristic one which is connected by a steep slope of nearly 80 degrees. Visitors will make a detour along a stretch of iron ladder and climb up a vertical ladder to get inside the tower.
 

Sandaoguan Pass Great Wall

Sandaoguan means 'three strategic passes' located at a gully, among precipices, and at hillside respectively. If comparing the Great Wall to a giant dragon, it dives straight into the bottom of the valley at Sandaoguan and then runs up to the other peak along the mountain ranges. Some also say that this section of ramparts seem like to overhang the mountains with a nearly vertical angle.
 

Hiking Route

 Qinhuangdao City - Jiaoshan Great Wall - Daping Peak - Liupin Peak - Sandaoguan Pass Great Wall - Qinhuangdao City

First, either take bus 25 or 302, or hail a taxi to the Shanhaiguan Railway Station in Qinhuangdao City. Take special bus line 5 on the square in front of the train station to the terminal, Jiaoshan Great Wall Scenic Area, and this independent Great Wall hiking will start there. 

As you climb further along the Jiaoshan Great Wall, the ramparts will become narrower and steeper. After hiking along a steep slope, you will reach at the No.2 Watchtower that occupies a difficult location. Visitors need to resort to ladders to get through the tower. Pass by another watchtower and you will enter the wild segment of Jiaoshan Great Wall. Ramparts there didn't receive any renovation work and reveal the wild beauty of Jiaoshan section. Follow the damaged ramparts for a few minutes to the Daping Peak and have a full view of the whole scenic area as well as the Qinhuangdao City and wide sea in the distance. 

From the Daping Peak, hike for one hour eastwards and you will arrive at the Sandaoguan Pass Great Wall via Liupin Peak. Built on dangerous mountains, Sandaoguan Great Wall is famed for the startling scene of Great Wall ramparts overhanging the steep mountain ranges. 

Carefully get down from the wall to the bottom of the valley, and then go to the parking lot of the nearby Longevity Mountain Scenic Area. There you can take special bus line 4 back to Shanhaiguan Railway Station and this Great Wall hiking will end here.
 

Cost

Jiaoshan Great Wall CNY40
Sandaoguan Pass Great Wall Free
Special bus line 4 CNY3
Special bus line 5 CNY2


 Further Reading: 
Simatai to Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking 
Hiking from Banchangyu to Dongjiakou Great Wall 
2 Days Exploration of Chajianling
A Full Guide to Visit Dushikou Great Wall from Beijing
2-Day Hiking from Lengkou to Baiyangyu Great Wall
Visit Great Wall at Niangziguan & Jingxingguan
Qingshanguan Great Wall Hiking
Trekking from Taolinkou Great Wall to Liujiakou 
Yangbian Great Wall Hiking 
- Last updated on Jan. 04, 2024 by Brenda Lian -