Yanhecheng Great Wall (Yanhecheng Fortress)

The Yanhecheng Great Wall, also known as Yanhecheng Fortress, is located in Mentougou District, Beijing, about a two-hour drive from the city center. This section of the Great Wall stands out for two remarkable features. Firstly, due to its unique geographical location, it remains isolated from other sections, forming a self-contained town encircled by the Wall. Historically, it served as a crucial garrison town during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). Secondly, unlike typical Great Wall structures, its watchtowers are not built on the wall itself but are scattered around Yanhekou village.

The Yanhecheng Great Wall has a rectangular layout, completely enclosing the village. The walls on the east, west, and north sides are straight, while the southern wall follows the undulating contours of the mountains in an arc. With a circumference of around 1,200 meters (0.75 miles), at its center lies an ancient village with a history of several hundred years. Surrounded by mountains on all sides and with the Yongding River flowing to the north, the area offers breathtaking scenery.

Yanhecheng Great Wall

 The ancient town originally had two gates, the east and the west. Now only the ruins of the west gate remain, named Yongsheng Gate. Inscribed with the characters “Yan He Cheng” at the top, although the inscriptions have faded over time, they still evoke a sense of historical grandeur. Big holes on both sides of the gate opening house coffins, placed there as a blessing for the village's peace. Outside the west gate, a stone tablet stands, its upper part adorned with cloud patterns, and the lower part inscribed with detailed records of the construction history of Yanhecheng.
 In Yanhekou Village, two imposing watchtowers flank the canyon on the east and west. The “Yanzi No. 4 Tower” on the east side showcases remarkable construction techniques and is well-preserved. Notably, it still has a wooden door on its frame, a rarity among Great Wall watchtowers. The “Yanzi No. 5 Tower” on the west side, having undergone restoration, exudes an even more majestic and solemn aura.
 

Yanhecheng Ancient Village

Yanhecheng Ancient Village retains numerous Ming Dynasty residences with blue bricks and grey tiles, an ancient stage used for local folk activities, and an ancient locust tree over 500 years old. Wandering through the village is like stepping back in time several centuries. Additionally, the village has witnessed the ravages of war, and some buildings still bear the scars of destruction.
 The hiking route of the Yanhecheng Great Wall encompasses the Great Wall itself, the ancient village, and the two watchtowers in Yanhekou Village. This route has almost no steps and is relatively easy, making it suitable for a wide range of tourists, including the elderly and children. 

Length: 6 kilometers (3.8 miles)
Duration: 3 hours
Difficulty Level: Low
Route: West Gate - Yanhecheng Ancient Village - East Gate - Yanhecheng Great Wall - East Gate - West Gate - Yanhekou Village

After arriving at the West Gate, first admire this magnificent gate tower, then pass through the gate arch to enter the Yanhecheng ancient village. Explore the ancient houses, trees, and stage, and soak in the local way of life until you reach the East Gate. From there, ascend the Yanhecheng Great Wall and enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the village. After walking approximately 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles) along the wall, you will return to the East Gate. Then, retrace your steps through the village to the West Gate, and continue along the road for about 1.7 kilometers (0.88 miles) to reach Yanhekou Village and visit the two well-preserved watchtowers. After the visit, return to the Yanhekou bus stop for the journey back to Beijing. If you came by chartered car, you can head straight back to the city from here.
 

Admission Fee	Free
Opening Hours	All day
Recommended Tour Time	3 - 4 hours

 The best time to visit the Yanhecheng Great Wall is from March to May and from September to October, when the climate is neither too hot nor too cold and the scenery is at its best.
 Since public transportation to the Yanhecheng Great Wall takes over four hours, making a one-day round trip rather rushed, renting a car with a driver is highly recommended. This option not only saves travel time and eliminates the hassle of transportation planning but also provides you with a comfortable journey.
 - First, take Subway Line 6, Line 11 or Line S1 to Jin'anqiao Station and exit from Exit H.
- Cross the road and walk about 300 meters (330 yards) north to Jinanqiao West Bus Station. Take Bus M22 or 892 to Zhaitang Bus Terminal.
- Then transfer to Bus M33 and get off at Yanhekou West Station. And walk about 500 meters (550 yards) to reach Yanhecheng Great Wall.

Note: Bus M33 only runs twice a day. If you miss it, you can take a taxi from Zhaitang to Yanhecheng. The journey takes about 25 minutes and costs about CNY 50.

Bus Schedule:

Bus M22	From Jinanqiao West: 06:30 - 17:35 From Zhaitang Bus Terminal: 06:00 - 18:00
Bus 892	From Jinanqiao West: 06:30 - 17:50 From Zhaitang Bus Terminal: 06:00 - 10:40
Bus M33	From Zhaitang Bus Terminal: 10:40, 17:50 From Yanhekou West: 09:50, 17:00

 

Cuandixia Village

Cuandixia Village is about a 30-minute drive from Yanhecheng Great Wall. It is an ancient village with a history of nearly 500 years, and now it preserves 500 rooms and over 70 quadrangle courtyard houses from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Most of the streets and alleys are paved with bluestone, grey stone and purple flagstones, exuding a quaint and charming atmosphere.
 Approximately an hour's drive from the Yanhecheng Great Wall, the Longmenjian Scenic Area is renowned for its unique karst canyon landscapes and cool climate, making it a popular destination for hiking and summer escapes in Beijing. The most notable attraction is a natural chasm over 100 meters long (110 yards), known as “Thin Strip of Sky”, which winds through the rugged terrain and is definitely worth a visit.