Located in Luanping County, Chengde City, Hebei Province, Jinshanling Great Wall is one of the most representative and exquisite sections of the Great Wall, renowned as "The Most Spectacular Part of the Ten-Thousand-Li Great Wall".
History and Significance
Historical Development
- Construction Period: Initially built during the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1368) under the supervision of General Xu Da.
- Renovation Period: Reconstructed in 1567 (the first year of Longqing era) by the famous anti-pirate general Qi Jiguang.
- Historical Significance: One of the best-preserved sections of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall with the most complete military defense system.
Scenic Status
- Cultural Protection: Designated as a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit in 1988.
- World Heritage: Listed as part of the Great Wall World Heritage Site in 1987.
- Scenic Rating: National 5A-level Tourist Attraction.
Architectural Features
General Characteristics
- Length and Scale: 10.5 kilometers long with 67 watchtowers and 3 beacon towers.
- Terrain Features: Built along steep mountain ridges with undulating terrain and wide views.
- Construction Materials: Mainly brick and stone structures with exquisite craftsmanship.
Unique Structures
- Barrier Walls: Low walls between watchtowers, a unique design of Jinshanling Great Wall.
- Inscribed Bricks: Numerous bricks with inscriptions recording construction dates and military unit numbers.
- Kylin Screen Wall: The only decorative screen wall featuring a kylin (Chinese unicorn) on the entire Great Wall, located at Small Jinshan Tower.
Scenic Highlights
Four Must-See Attractions
- General Tower: The highest watchtower offering panoramic views of the entire wall.
- Small Jinshan Tower: Famous for its exquisite kylin screen wall.
- Big Jinshan Tower: One of the largest watchtowers with complex and delicate structure.
- Beijing-Viewing Tower: On clear days, visitors can see Beijing in the distance.
Special Landscapes
- Sea of Clouds: Often appears after rain, creating a fairyland-like scenery.
- Four-Season Beauty: Flowers in spring, lush greenery in summer, colorful foliage in autumn, and snow-covered in winter.
- Sunrise and Sunset: One of the best spots to photograph sunrise on the Great Wall.
Travel Experience
Recommended Routes
- Classic Route: From Zhuanduo Pass to General Tower and Shaling Pass, about 3-4 hours.
- Photography Route: The section between Small and Big Jinshan Towers is preferred by photographers.
- Full Hike: Fit visitors can choose the full hike, taking about 6-7 hours.
Special Activities
- Great Wall Marathon: International marathon event held every spring.
- Stargazing Camping: Camping in designated areas available in summer.
- Red Leaves Festival: Autumn foliage viewing activities.
Practical Information
Opening Hours
- Peak Season (Apr-Oct): 06:00-19:00
- Off Season (Nov-Mar): 07:00-18:00
Ticket Information
- Standard Ticket: 65 RMB/person
- Concession Ticket: 32 RMB/person (students, seniors etc.)
- Cable Car: 40 RMB one-way, 60 RMB round-trip
Transportation
- Self-drive: About 2.5 hours from Beijing via Jingcheng Expressway.
- Public Transport: Direct tourist buses available from Dongzhimen, Beijing.
- Local Transport: Shuttle buses from Luanping County town to the scenic area.
Tips
- Clothing Advice: Wear anti-slip sports shoes as some sections are steep.
- Safety Notice: Do not climb closed sections and watch for falling rock warnings.
- Environmental Protection: No graffiti allowed on the wall and please take all trash with you.