If you’re reading this, you are most likely planning to go to the most beautiful Jiankou Great Wall; But before you hit the brakes on your Great Wall Jiankou adventure, here’s some very good advice on how to actually get to Jiankou Great Wall from Beijing without smashing your piggy bank!

Option 1: getting to Jiankou from Beijing by pubic transport

Getting to Jiankou Great Wall from Beijing by public transport is a bit of a trek – take a 2.5 – 3 hour bus journey from Dongzhimen Outer (bus 936 or bus 867) to Yujiayuan (costs 12RMB), and then take a local bus (H25, cost around 8RMB) or taxi to Xizhazi Village then walk for 1 hour along the trail to reach Jiankou Great Wall.

Getting to Jiankou from Beijing by pubic transport would add to the sense of adventure. You need to change stations and find bus stops, go over read the signs, take a couple of minutes to digest where you are. If you have 1.5 or 2 days to explore Jiankou, this way is a good option for you on the cheap.

In the map below: (A) = Dongzhimen Beijing. (B) = Xizhazi village at Jiankou. 

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How to get to Dongzhimen Outer: take subway line 2 and get out through the B exit of Dongzhimen station and walk straight until the traffic light and make a left turn. The easiest way to find it is to go to the main entrance of Dongzhimen Outer bus transfer depot then walk ANTICLOCK WISE around the block until you get to the another bus station (20 – 25 minutes on foot).

You will see this screen when you get out of Exit B, then go straight until the traffic light and make a left turn.

Bus 867 /936 go directly from Dongzhimen Outer to Yujiayuan at Huairou. There are several Huairou stops on the route, make sure to get off at Yujiayuan stop. At Yujianyuan bus station take a local bus H25 or minivan to Xizhazi Village that takes 1 hour. Bus H25 bus terminates at the village.

 Get off at Yujiayuan (“于家园”)

 Take a local bus H25 or minivan at Yujiayuan station.

A Sinopec gas station on the opposite side of Yujiayuan bus stop.

Buses H25 from Yujiayun to Xizhazi leave at 11:30 and 16:30. On the return journey to Yujiayuan leave at 06:00, 11:30, 13:15 and 14:30. H25 sign at Yujiayuan is written in Chinese. 

How long is the journey by bus from Dongzhimen Outer to Yujiayuan at Huairou, and then from there to Jiankou Wall (Xizhazi Village)? It takes 1.5-2h from Dongzhimen Outer to Yujiayuan and the journey from Yujiayuan Huairou to Jiankou requires around 1 hour.

Option 2: book a tour to Jiankou from Beijing

If this is your first and most likely only trip to Beijing, and you don’t want to spend the majority of the day coming and going on pubic transportation, the best way to avoid the hassle and make the best use of a day of sightseeing is to take private tours that combine Jiankou hiking with Mutianyu toboggan ride.

Jiankou hiking with Mutianyu toboggan ride offer 2 versions: a cheap version – self-guided walk allows you to walk at your own pace and only leave transportation, navigation and logistics to us. It costs about 110usd (based on group of 2) for the whole day. This self-guided hiking tour is for those independently minded hikers and walkers who would like the freedom, flexibility and adventure of hiking on their own.

A slightly more expensive version- guided walk that includes the experienced guide to help your explore Jiankou on small group and will personalize your tour for you. It costs about 143usd (based on group of 2) for the whole day. (Leaving the hotel in Beijing at 8.30 and didn’t get back until about 5 or 6!) Jiankou is never busy and if you wanted a more ‘personal’ feel both types of tours are good option.

Still not quite sure which hike is for you? Check out the main points of difference between Jinshanling Simatai West hike and Gubeikou Jinshanling hike here.

Why Jinshanling to Simatai West Hike

Duration: 1 day
Distance: 7-8 km
Terrain: Rolling to hilly
Min altitude: 327m
Max altitude: 589m
Physical rating: Moderate difficulty, a few steep parts
Closest town: Luanping county, Hebei province
Start/Finish: This is one-way hike between Jinshanling and Simatai West. Both ends are accessed by vehicle

Find out more | Book online

Why Gubeikou to Jinshanling Hike

Duration: 1 day
Distance: 7-8 km
Terrain: Rolling to hilly
Min altitude: 270m
Max altitude: 475m
Physical rating: Moderate, a few steep parts; good physical condition is needed
Closest town: Luanping county, Hebei province
Start/Finish: This one-way hike starts at Gubeikou and ends at Jinshanling. Both ends are serviced by vehicle.

Find out more | Book online

Conclusion

Jinshanling is more touristy than the Gubeikou portion. Hiking from Jinshanling towards Simatai West with plenty of photography stops bring you the classic Great Wall hiking experience as well as the best scenery/landscape views of the Wall. Both Jinshanling and Gubeikou will offer you something less touristy and more challenging. As part of Gubeikou goes through military area, You need to bypass the military section. In that case, Jinshanling Simatai West hike will let you as much time on the wall as possible.

If simply hiking along the Great Wall just isn’t enough to satisfy your appetite for adventure, then you might want to try an overnight camp-out. Camping overnight on top of the Great Wall, and see the sunrise over the Wall is a great travel experiences. Sleeping on the Great Wall brings you a chance to interact intimately and respectfully with history.

The best time to camp on the Great Wall is mostly a matter of personal preference. Experienced campers may have camped during all four seasons. But most of us best consider camping on the Great Wall in the warmer weather seasons.

Late spring – April, May, June – or late-summer and fall – September, October, November are undoubtedly the best time of a year to camp on the Great Wall. Although humidity and high temperatures may turn July and August uncomfortable months, they are also the most visited months for Great Wall. You may want to avoid winter months, when temperatures may fall very low.

Great Wall Spring Camping

Besides warm and sunny days, the possibility of spring wildflowers is a big attraction. You won’t regret to bring a warm jacket or sweatshirt in spring as it is still cold at mid-night on Great Wall. Late spring is a better choice as it will be warmer on the Great Wall.

Great Wall Summer Camping

July and August are the hottest months in summer.  Even so summer mornings can be chilly, so make sure to dress in layers. Great Wall Summer camping also means longer days,  you can remain away from the camp sight for longer hours. The sun is at its worst during summers and can cause some serious damage to your skin, remember to pack sunscreen.

Great Wall Fall Camping

Fall can be the best time to camp on the Great Wall. You will get much milder temperatures which can be a benefit when taking a long hike in the mountains. Plan your Great Wall camping trip during in September and October, you won’t be disappointed. You do need to take extra layers of clothing as the temperatures can change much quicker in the fall than in the summer.

Great Wall Winter Camping

Try to avoid to camp on the Great Wall in winter. Winter months require a lot of strength, as it is very cold outside. Stormy weather, be it snow, can certainly have a negative impact on your camping experience by limiting your activities, but more importantly it can also be dangerous.

A few additional tips

Check the forecast before your departure and be prepared. The temperature can affect your overall experience. If you will make a longer camping trip on Great Wall than 2 or 3 days better receive updated weather information where you’re camping at.

The Ming Tombs and Sacred Way offer you a quite calming, restful and relaxing walk if you want to get out of Beijing for a day. Many travel agencies cover this as part of Badaling Great Wall tour. The tombs is about 50 kilometers (31 miles) northwest from Beijing in Changping County, at the foot of Tianshou (Heavenly Longivity) Mountain. It covers 13 emperor’s mausoleums, 7 concubines tombs and one grave for eunuchs. It was listed in the World Heritage List In July, 2003.

From the third empeoror of Ming Dynasty (Zhu Di) who built his tomb here until the last emperor who hang himself outside the Forbidden City, altogether 13 empeorors buried themselves in this area in the course of 230 years.  Each tomb is indepedent with others with distances ranging from half a kilometer to eight kilometer. The layout and design are very similar. Being the oldest and largerst, Chang Tomb is the most grand. Yong Tomb the most delicate and Siling (Si Tomb) the smallest.

DingLing has been excavated so visitors are allowed to get into the underground burial chamber itself. However, the burial chamber is deep in the underground with a very steep climb down. It’s quite difficult for those who have problems with their heart or who are not used to enclosed spaces.

Whether the Ming tombs is very interesting or not really depends on your interests. It is worth a visit If you’re interested in the history, culture, feng-shui meaning and significance behind the buildings. All you need to know is what door to use and how many times to swipe the transportation smart card when getting there by bus 872. With time you will crack how the bus system works.

Sacred Way offers you a very peacefull walk. It is often tranquil, not crowded with a 1km avenue of weeping willow trees, attractive carved columns, 400 year old carved stone statues of ainimals and human figures which served as guards of honor of Ming emperors. It doesn’t go straight and it’s a curve. The statues are carved out of a piece of stone and quite interesting. It is worth lots of photos. The restroom facility just inside the south entrance of Sacred Way. You will definitely enjoy the stroll down the Sacred Way on a clear day.

Ming Tombs and Sacred Way can be done via a tour, or hiring a vehicle. If you are adventurous, you do it by public transport. In my opinion, how you actually do it probably depends on your budget.

By Car

Hiring a private car getting to Ming Tombs and Sacred Way is a good choice if your budget is not tight and want to avoid the crowds and traffic. If you are travelling with 3 or 4 people, this way is really good value for your money.

By Bus

If you would like to spend a day on the Wall, bus 872 is the cheapest way but it takes at least 1.5 hours to get there by using the local bus service.

Where is the 872 bus station in Beijing?

872 bus station is at Deshengmen (the ancient arrow gate) bus station. Bus 872 parked behind the arrow gate runs directly from Deshengmen to Dingling and Changling every 30 minutes in peak hours from 07:10-19:10.

How to get to 872 bus station at Deshengmen?

The nearest subway station to Deshengmen is Jishuitan station of subway line 2. Take line 2 and leave the subway station from Exit A. Walk for around 10 minutes you will see the arrow gate (Deshengmen) just in front of you. Then cross the street and go behind the gate. The 872 bus stop is just behind the gate.

Which tomb can I get to by bus 872?

The bus 872 goes to Ding tomb and Chang tomb every 30 minutes in peak hours from 07:10-19:10.

How long does it take to Ming tomb by bus 872?

It take around 90 minutes to reach Ming tombs by bus 872, depending on the traffic.

How much does it cost?

It costs around 12 RMB per person.

Suggested itinerary for a day trip to Both Sacred Way and DingLing

Take bus 872 at Deshengmen to Nanxincun which usually covers about 1 hour. On the opposite side of Nanxncun bus stop is exactly Sacred Way that is behind the trees. Cross the road carefully then turn left and walk about 400m along the road you will see the South ticket office / entrance of Sacred Way to your right hand. Enjoy a peaceful walk that usually takes about 30 minutes depending on your prefered pace.

Just walk straight through and exit at the north entrance / exit at the other end of Sacred Way then turn right walk by the souvenir stalls you will see the same road. Cross the road again then turn left walk by the road for about 400 meters you will reach Hu Zhuang bus stop. Take either bus 872 or 314 even local bus 67 within 10 mintues you will get to DingLing. (At Hu Zhuang bus stop when taking bus 872 or 314 you need to swipe the travel card when getting on and getting off the bus). Touring DingLing usually takes about 1 hour including visiting the underground palace and DingLing museum. After that, take bus 872 back to Beijing at Dingling bus station.

Hiring Private Car to Ming Tombs

Hiring a private car for excursions outside the city a good choice if you are not travelling on budget and want to avoid the crowded people and traffic. If you are travelling with 3 or 4 friends, this way is much more cost-efficient. We offer a single online destination to service all of your rental car needs including round trip rental cars, one-way rental cars, airport rental cars and off-airport rental cars.Your rental car with a licensed driver will help you get the most out of your holiday!

Vehicle (Car, Van, Coach) Rental Rates (RMB)

Vehicle (Car, Van, Coach) Rental Rates (RMB)

All Prices shown are in RMB (Chinese Yuan) unless otherwise stated. Driver’s working time is 9 hours daily. The extra cost is 100RMB per hour.

The cost includes:

• City accommodation pick up / drop off,
• Non-English / Chinese speaking driver
• Quality vehicle with A/C
• Transportation fees
• Parking fees, gasoline, toll fees

The cost doesn’t include

• entrance fees to the sites
• single journey of chairlift / toboggan / cable car (optional)
• round trip of chairlift / toboggan / cable car (optional)
• Meal and tips

Weekend Special!

Enjoy weekend rate of 600RMB for a four-seater air-conditioning car to visit the splendid Mutianyu Great Wall from Beijing. Explore the spectacular Mutianyu on an intimate, private car trip. Recommended length of visit: 2-4 hours. Check out Mutianyu travel guide for more tips.

The cost includes:

• City accommodation pick up / drop off,
• Non-English / Chinese speaking driver
• Quality vehicle with A/C
• Transportation fees
• Parking fees, gasoline, toll fees

The cost doesn’t include

• Airport (hotel) pick up / drop off
• 60RMB p.p entrance fees to Mutianyu
• 100RMB p.p for single journey of chairlift / toboggan / cable car (optional)
• 120RMB p.p for round trip of chairlift / toboggan / cable car (optional)
• Meal and tips

Price Promises:

• No factory / shopping stop
• No hidden costs
• Quality time on attractions
• Honest prices, no surprise

Related Tours: Jiankou Hiking plus Mutianyu Toboggan Ride 

Related Links:  How to Get to Mutianyu by Bus