Great Wall of China; Jinshanling Great Wall

At the northeastern edge of Beijing, there is a wall range winding from east to west as the prelude of the Great Wall in Beijing area. This range is composed of three sections from east to west, namely Simatai, Jinshanling and Gubeikou. Jinshanling Great Wall refers to the middle.

Located in Luanping County, some 130 kilometers (81 miles) away from the city area of Bejing, Jinshanling Great Wall is second only to the Badaling Great Wall in its completeness. This section was named because it was built on the Bigger and Smaller Jinshan Mountains. It is divided into two parts: Jinshanling part and Wang Jing Lou part. Jinshanling part is nearly seven kilometers (4.4 miles) long and joins Simatai in the east. Wang Jing Lou (Watching Beijing Tower) is the highest point in this section with a steep flight of steps ascending up to nearly 900 meters (nearly 3,000 feet) above sea level and from the top, one is said to see Beijing, hence the name.

Compared to other sections in Beijing, the section was built in the late period of Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) and the designers improved on the previous constructions in other sections and added a full range of more sophisticated defense fortifications to this section. For example, barrier walls are rows of embrasured walls built vertically to the main body of the wall, which prevented enemy who had arrived at the top of the wall from further attacking. Guarding soldiers could be sheltered from the frontal attacks by squatting behind these walls. Three lines of bell-mounted shooting holes built in crenellated battlements enable three rows of archers shooting at the same time. The horse-block walls were constructed onto ramps within the pass, which denied access for both enemy horses and men to the top of the wall. All these designs have enhanced the overall defensive capability of this fortification.

Admission Fee	CNY 50 (Apr. 1 to Oct.31); CNY 40 (Nov.1 to Mar.31)
Opening Hours	08:00 to 16:50
Recommended Time for a Visit	Two hours
Transportation	A. Take bus No. 980 from Dongzhimen to Miyun Bus Station, and a local bus, taxi or mini bus to Jinshanling Great Wall; B. Take the bus from Liuliqiao Long-Distance Bus Station to Chengde and get off at Jinshanling Intersection, and take a taxi or walk to Jinshanling.