A Full Guide to Visit Dushikou Great Wall from Beijing

Situated in Chicheng County, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province, the Dushikou Great Wall lies approximately three hours’ drive north of downtown Beijing. The well-preserved part spans 5 kilometers (3 miles) and remains in its original state. Distinct from the commonly seen brick and stone-structured Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) Great Wall, it is constructed with stone slabs. Six hundred years ago, locals harnessed local materials, chiseling flaky rocks from the mountains and stacking them layer by layer to form a stone wall without any connecting filler between the stones. Astonishingly, this seemingly fragile wall has endured intact for six centuries without collapse or repair. Additionally, during summer and autumn, the region often showcases magnificent views: seas of clouds, vast green alpine grasslands, and starry nights, making it an ideal place for photography enthusiasts.
 

Not far from the Dushikou Great Wall, there are also scenic spots such as the Yunzhou Reservoir and the ancient glacial remains of Bingshanliang. Incorporating these into your hiking itinerary will make your journey more colorful and diverse. 

Dushikou Great Wall

- Take Subway Line 5 to Tiantongyuan North Station, exit from Exit B, and walk about 500 meters (550 yards) to Tiantongyuan North Bus Station. There, catch a bus to Chicheng County. Departure times are 07:30, 09:30, 11:30, 14:00, and 16:00. The journey lasts 3.5 - 4 hours, costing CNY 70.
 

- Another option is to take Subway Line 9 or Line 10 to Liuliqiao Station. Exit from Exit D and walk about 300 meters (330 yards) to Beijing Liuliqiao Bus Station. A bus to Chicheng County departs at 13:00 daily. The trip takes 4 - 5 hours, and the ticket is CNY 70.
 

Enjoy lunch in Chicheng County and savor the local delicacies.
 

Given the underdeveloped local transportation in Chicheng County, it’s advisable to charter a car with a driver for visiting Yunzhou Reservoir, Dushikou Great Wall, and the Bingshanliang Ancient Glacier Remains. It costs around CNY 700 for one day.
 

The drive from Chicheng County to Yunzhou Reservoir takes about 30 minutes. Yunzhou Reservoir, surrounded by mountains on both sides, presents a vast expanse of water. Its banks are adorned with undulating hills and extensive stretches of green grassland, making it a perfect destination for camping, water activities, stargazing, and hiking. On the east side of the reservoir, there is a viewing platform. Standing on it, one can overlook the entire reservoir. Especially around sunset, the golden glow reflects on the water, creating a shimmering effect.
 

After spending a pleasant afternoon at Yunzhou Reservoir, you can choose to camp there for the night or return to Chicheng County for accommodation.
 

After breakfast, head to the Dushikou Great Wall from Yunzhou Reservoir or Chicheng County. The drive takes about an hour.
 

Hiking on the Dushikou Great Wall

From the parking lot, follow the winding gravel road uphill, passing an orchard. After about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles), you’ll see a blue sign labeled “Dushikou Section of the Ming Great Wall”. From here, the road starts to be narrow. Continuing along the mountain path, you’ll soon reach the Great Wall.
 

The stone-built wall stands tall, with large alpine meadows on either side. The initial 500 meters (550 yards) or so is a steep slope. Since the gravel of the Great Wall ruins is not very stable, you need to walk along the slopes beside the wall. Once you reach the flat and sturdy area, climb up onto the Great Wall and walk on it, and the view will become broader. On the ridge, you can see the white windmill in the distance, which forms a harmonious echo with the Great Wall, presenting a beautiful scenery.
 

After hiking along the Great Wall for about 40 minutes, you will arrive at the only watchtower in this section, which is also the highest point. Although two corners of this watchtower have started to collapse, it still stands firmly, bearing witness to history. This is a renowned photography spot. The winding Great Wall, the grassland, and the windmills are all captured in the frame, creating a spectacular view. 
 

After taking pictures, continue hiking along the Great Wall to return to the parking lot. The downhill path makes the journey back easier.

White Windmill Near Dushikou Great Wall

The drive from Dushikou Great Wall to Bingshanliang takes about 40 minutes. Bingshanliang is a rare ancient glacial remnant. Due to thousands of years of wind and glacier erosions, stones here are weathered into various shapes, such as toads, turtles, lions, and hens. You can also find stone mortars on these rocks, with the largest having a diameter of one meter, while the smaller one can be only a dozen centimeters in diameter.
 

After visiting this masterpiece of nature, return to Chicheng County, which takes about 1.5 hours by car.
 

Currently, there are two buses daily leaving from Chicheng Bus Station to Beijing Liuliqiao Bus Station at 06:20 and 12:30, and buses to Beijing Tiantongyuan North Bus Station at 08:00, 09:00, 10:00, 11:30 and 15:00. If you miss them, you need to stay overnight in Chicheng County and return to Beijing the next day.
 

1. There are no shops or restaurants near the Dushikou Great Wall, so you should prepare enough food and water in advance.

2. Admission to the Dushikou Great Wall and Yunzhou Reservoir is free. For Bingshanliang, however, a ticket priced at CNY 60 per person is required.

3. You may encounter local herdsmen’s cattle during the hike. Please do not get close to them to avoid being attacked by grumpy cattle.

4. Located at a high altitude of 1,700 meters (5,600 feet) and 2,300 meters (7,500 feet) respectively, Dushikou Great Wall and the Bingshanliang Ancient Glacier are exposed to the strong ultraviolet radiation. It is suggested you wear long-sleeve clothes and sunscreen to avoid getting sunburned.

5. A more relaxed and convenient way is to charter a car from Beijing, which costs about CNY 1,000 - 1,500 per day.