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Qingshanguan Great Wall Hiking

Qingshanguan is located in Tangshan City, Hebei Province, about a 3.5-hour drive from Beijing. It is celebrated for its pristine ancient Great Wall and distinctive fortress-style architecture. The area features stunning natural landscapes and a wealth of well-preserved ancient buildings within its walls. Visitors can explore both restored sections and untouched “wild great wall” segments, offering diverse experiences and making it an ideal destination to immerse yourself in Great Wall culture and history.

A hiking trip from Beijing to Qingshanguan typically takes 1 - 2 days. Follow this guide to ensure a seamless and enjoyable journey.

Step 1: Travel from Beijing to Qingshanguan

Option 1: Bus + Taxi

Take a bus from Beijing Sihui Long-Distance Bus Station to Qianxi Bus Station. The bus departs at 08:35 every day, with a journey time of approximately 3.5 hours and a ticket price of CNY 68.

Then take a taxi from Qianxi County to the Qingshanguan Great Wall. The journey takes about 1 hour and the cost is approximately CNY 200.

Option 2: High-speed Train + Taxi

First, take a high-speed train from Beijing Railway Station to Tangshan Railway Station. The journey takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, and the ticket price varies depending on the train, approximately CNY 80.

Then, take a taxi from Tangshan Railway Station to Qingshanguan Great Wall. The journey takes about 2 hours and costs around CNY 400.

Option 3: Private Car Hire

Due to the 260-kilometer (160-mile) distance between Beijing and Qingshanguan Great Wall, the journey is quite long. The cost of a private car hire is relatively high, with a round-trip fee ranging from CNY 3,000 to CNY 4,000. However, if you are short on time and prioritize comfort during your trip, a private car hire is a superior choice.

Step 2: Visit the Qingshanguan Ancient Castle

Reference visiting time: 1 hour

Built during the last Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), the castle features southern and northern gates, with the south gate serving as the main entrance. Viewed from the Great Wall, its north-south flattened, east-west protruding shape resembles a “treasure pot,” exuding ancient charm and rich frontier defense culture. Well-preserved structures, including government offices, barracks, temples, teahouses, inns, and residences, earn it the title “the most exquisite ancient castle along the Great Wall”. While exploring, sample local snacks.

Then, it takes about 10 minutes to walk from the north gate of the ancient castle to the next highlight of this trip - the Water Gate. It is the best-preserved water gate along the Great Wall. The gate opening is 3 meters (10 feet) wide and 5 meters (16 feet) high. When viewed from afar, it looks like a crescent moon rising on the mountainside. Despite enduring 400 years of warfare and weathering, it remains iron-solid and majestic.

Qingshanguan Great Wall

Hiking on the Qingshanguan Great Wall

Step 3: Hiking the Qingshanguan Great Wall

Reference hiking time: 3 hours

After visiting the Water Gate, ascend the Great Wall. The initial restored section is relatively flat, offering panoramic views and passing three watchtowers. Then you'll reach the wild section of the Great Wall. The higher you go, the steeper it becomes. The last section requires you to use both your hands and feet. And since the Great Wall was built on the mountain ridge, the walls on both sides have long been damaged, so you need to be constantly aware of your safety.

Along the way, there are two distinctive watchtowers. One is the Prison Tower, which was used to imprison prisoners of war in ancient times. This tower has no door, only four ventilation holes, and is one of the unique buildings of the Great Wall in China. The other is the 72-arch Tower, which is composed of 72 large and small arches and has a unique and beautiful shape. It takes 3 to 4 hours to walk the entire Great Wall. You can choose to return the same way at any time according to your own situation.

Step 4: Return to Beijing

After getting down from the Great Wall, take a local minibus and return to Tangshan Station in 2 hours. Then take the high-speed rail back to Beijing. The last high-speed rail departs at 21:36.

If you finish visiting the Great Wall after 18:30, you might miss the last high-speed train back to Beijing. You can consider staying overnight at a local guesthouse in Qingshanguan Ancient Castle and heading back the next day.

Tips:

1. Admission to Qingshanguan Great Wall is CNY 45 per person, available for purchase at the on-site ticket office.

2. Copper coins are available at the ticket office for CNY 2 each. These coins can be used for shopping within the ancient castle or kept as souvenirs.