Private Jinshanling Great Wall Tour, No Shopping

Buckle up for a 2.5-hour road trip in our comfortable private vehicle to start this Beijing Jinshanling Great Wall tour. This section of Great Wall is an idyllic haven for photography enthusiasts and hikers alike. There’s not another section blending watchtowers this densely-spaced and each with a unique design, with which the whole structure, against the wild nature, is so photogenic that it has been regarded as the “most beautiful wall” by Chinese National Geographic. Along the way, your guide will explain the background of Jinshanling, including its construction and its role in history, as well as the remnants of the walls and towers you will see immediately. 

Upon arrival, the guide will accompany you to tour for nearly 5 hours on the most stunning section of the Jinshanling Great Wall, including a fantastic hike of at least 3 hours along a tried-and-true path:
Medial Gate → Zhuanduokou Pass → General Tower → Shalingkou Pass → Xiaojinshan Tower → Dajinshan Tower → Houchuankou Pass → Guaijiao Tower → East Five-Window Tower → East GateEnter from the Medial Gate or the main entrance and ascend, passing by farm stays, restaurants, and a commercial street. In half an hour, the square of Zhuanduokou Pass will come into your view. Here you’ll find a giant white-marble statue of a figure riding a horse. From your guide, you’ll learn that this is Qi Jiguang, a renowned general and national hero of China in the 16th century, who had stayed here for 16 years with his army guarding and consolidating the wall. As you climb up the Great Wall, the whole layout you see today is none other than a masterpiece of his. He’s the man behind the unique constructions like horse-blocking barriers and hollow watchtowers, which served as shelters for soldiers as well as sustenance and munitions.

Head more east and we’ll reach the General Tower, the building that epitomizes the military defense system with a complete series of fortifications, including barrier wall, buttress, and beacon tower. The hike next to Shalingkou Pass would be a little challenging that requires hands and feet, but you’ll be rewarded with an unparalleled scene of the magnificent wall. It’s interesting to note that the following Xiaojinshan and Dajinshan Towers have a distinctive architecture typical of South China, as they were built to console the soldiers Qi brought from his homeland in the south, with names taken from two hills. The wall segment was also named for this. Enjoy absorbing tranquility from Dajinshan Tower, from which the number of tourists begins to diminish.

We will continue east until the East Five-Window Tower, as time is limited and the way further ahead is too steep and dangerous to walk. The Five-Window Tower is the highest point on the east line, so take the chance to savor ravishing panoramas where there’s hardly anyone around, only the wall snaking on crest lines before overlapping mountains. Then we’ll descend and in another half an hour exit from East Gate.

After the visit, your guide and driver will escort you back to downtown Beijing and say farewell at your hotel. On the drive back, you may ask for insider tips from your guide on the next destinations or where to discover Beijing’s culinary heritage. If you like, we may leave you at the Back Lake scenic area for lively nightlife and authentic local snacks. Go beyond the most famous Peking Duck and Noodles with Soybean Paste to try Door-Nail Meat Cake, Steamed Glutinous Rice Rolls, and more! 

Thank you for choosing this Great Wall day tour to Jinshanling! Beijing also boasts myriad UNESCO-listed historical sites, and if you are interested, check out our popular day tour to Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and Summer Palace. Feel free to contact us for an exclusive Beijing tour tailored to your interests.