Great Wall Hiking from Laolongtou to Shanhaiguan & Jiaoshan

This hiking tour at Great Wall is composed of three highlights. The first is the eastern starting point of the Great Wall - Old Dragon's Head (Laolongtou), the second is the “first pass under heaven” - Shanghaiguan and the last is the “first mountain of the Great Wall” - Jiaoshan Mountain. 

One third of the route is located within the city, one third is scenic countryside and the remaining third comprises steep mountains. It is a tour combining both sightseeing and hiking, generally needing 2 days. 

1. Train
If you plan to arrive by train, get off at Shanhaiguan Railway Station. There are high speed trains from Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai and many other cities. After getting off, take local bus no.25 to Laolongtou directly. 

If you arrive late in the afternoon or evening, we suggest you get off at Qinhuangdao Railway Station, stay one night near the railway station and set off early next morning. You'd better make an early reservation on the hotel room, especially in the high season - June to September. From Qinhuangdao Railway Station, you may take bus no. 39 to New Century Park, than change to bus no. T1 to Laolongtou. This transfer takes about 75 minutes all together. 
 Check real-time China Train Schedule

2. Flight
Qinhuangdao Airport is well connected by domestic flight with many cities in China. Upon landing, take a taxi to reach Laolongtou directly. The taxi fare is around CNY30-35. 

Or you may take airport shuttle bus to downtown, stay for one night and start hiking tomorrow. 
 Check real-time China Flight Schedule

Laolongtou Great Wall is the eastern starting point of the Great Wall built in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), and is also the only section on the sea. When the whole Great Wall is compared to a huge dragon winding through China, the Laolongtou is just like the head of the dragon stretching into the Bohai Sea. That's where its name comes out. 

Admission fee: May to October: CNY 50; November to Next April: CNY 20
Recommended visit time: 2 hours

Shanhaiguan Pass is reputed as the first pass of the Great Wall. Ever since it was built in the year of 1381, the Pass has become an important military stronghold in China.

The pass has a perimeter of about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles). The Wall around it is 14 meters (45.9 feet) high and 7 meters (7.7 yards) thick. With its majestic watchtower as the mainstay, you can also see the surrounding architecture such as Jingbian Tower, Linlu Tower, Weiyuan Hall and Great Wall Museum. The most popular sightseeing area is its eastern gate and surroundings. 

Admission fee: May to October: CNY 40; November to Next April: CNY 15
Recommended visit time: 2 hours

You may start from the northern gate of Shanhaiguan Pass to Jiaoshan Great Wall, measuring about 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) long. Many sections have collapsed and only some bricks are left, when you need to get off to make a detour. You will also see some ruined towers along the way. This part will take you about 90 minutes on foot.

If you travel by public transport, it costs about CNY10-15 by taxi. During peak season, there is a tourism bus line available for this transfer. 

Starting from the Hanmen 10th Tower, the Jiaoshan Great Wall leaps and meanders along the ridge of the Jiaoshan Mountain for about 1.5 km (about 1 mile). After renovation, it is in good condition. 

Admission fee: CNY 30 from April to November; CNY 10 from December to March
Recommended visit time: 1 hour 

This is all about this hiking tour. After, you may take a taxi to Shanhaiguan Railway Station, at the cost of CNY10-15 and take a train to your next destination. 

 Photos of Shanhaiguan    Laolongtou Photos    Jiaoshan Photos