The Jiaoshan Great Wall (角山长城, Mount Jiao Great Wall), located approximately 3 kilometers north of the ancient city Shanhaiguan, is a prominent section of the Great Wall of China. Nestled in the Yanshan Mountain range, it stands as the highest peak in the area, reaching an elevation of 519 meters, serving as a formidable barrier. Its summit boasts a large, flat platform capable of accommodating hundreds of people, adorned with towering rocks resembling the horns of a dragon, hence its name, Jiaoshan, meaning “Horn Mountain.”
As the initial mountain crossed by the Great Wall on its journey northward from the Old Dragon’s Head, Jiaoshan is often referred to as the “First Mountain of the Ten Thousand Li Great Wall.” Construction of the Jiaoshan Great Wall commenced in the early years of the Ming Hongwu era, stretching a total length of 1536 meters from the foot of the mountain to its expansive flat top. The wall is predominantly built from local materials, with rough stones forming the majority, supplemented by bricks and long stones in certain sections.
The wall typically reaches a height of 7 to 10 meters, with an average width of 4 to 5 meters. In steeper sections of the mountain, the wall is cleverly constructed into the cliffside, narrowing to as little as 2.7 meters. This strategic design features steep outer faces, making it challenging for assailants, while the inner faces are lower, facilitating climbing and strategic engagement during warfare.
Jiaoshan Great Wall served as the boundary between two crucial military towns, Liaodong and Ji, during the Ming Dynasty. It includes five enemy platforms, battle platforms, and one pass. Standing atop the summit of Jiaoshan, one can gaze into the distance, imagining the grand scenes of ancient battlefields where drums echoed and swords clashed.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Details of the Great Wall
- Vlog about Jiaoshan Great Wall
- Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
- Attractions near Jiaoshan Great Wall
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 2 – 3 hours |
| Ticket Price | 40 RMB |
| Cable Car | One-Way: 30 RMB Round: 50 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 7.00 – 17.30 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0335-5258000 0086-0335-5259000 |
Location and Transportation
The Jiaoshan Great Wall is located in the city of Qinhuangdao, which is situated in the Hebei province of northern China. Qinhuangdao is a coastal city that lies along the shores of the Bohai Sea. The city is approximately 300 kilometers (186 miles) east of Beijing, the capital of China.
Tourists from Qinhuangdao or Beidaihe can first take a train to Shanhai Pass Railway Station (山海关火车站) and then transfer to a taxi to cover the remaining 6 kilometers. This should be the most convenient way.
Details of the Great Wall
Unique Features
The Jiaoshan Great Wall is distinct from other sections of the Great Wall due to its maritime location. Unlike the more commonly known mountainous sections, Jiaoshan Great Wall stretches gracefully across the rolling hills and cliffs along the Bohai Sea coast. The integration of the wall with the natural topography showcases the adaptability and architectural prowess of the Ming Dynasty builders.
Architectural Brilliance
The construction of the Jiaoshan Great Wall involved a complex network of watchtowers, beacon towers, and defensive fortifications. The wall itself was built with locally sourced materials, primarily using earth, bricks, and stones. The builders ingeniously utilized the natural contours of the mountain to provide additional strength and stability to the structure, ensuring its resilience against potential invaders.
Conservation and Restoration
Over the centuries, the Jiaoshan Great Wall suffered from the ravages of time, weather, and human encroachment. However, in recent decades, the Chinese government and local authorities have undertaken extensive conservation efforts to preserve this historical gem. Collaborating with experts and historians, they have meticulously restored sections of the wall to their former glory, allowing visitors to witness the grandeur of ancient China.
Vlog about Jiaoshan Great Wall
Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
Challenging Terrain and Climbing Structure: The Great Wall at Jiaoshan is known for its steep incline. The final stretch to the top, reaching the beacon tower, involves climbing ladders made of steel pipes and plates. This can be thrilling and is not recommended for those afraid of heights. Note that the descent on the other side also involves using similar ladders.
Spectacular Views from the Observation Deck: From the observation deck, looking back, visitors can witness the unrefurbished sections of the Great Wall winding its way from the ancient city. The distant sea sparkles, with scattered boats creating a picturesque scene, especially when the weather is clear.
Optimal Duration and Timing: It is suggested to allocate approximately 3 hours for the visit. Early morning visits are recommended to avoid crowds, as the number of visitors tends to increase around noon.
Limited Supply Station: There is only one supply station along the way, so it’s advisable to bring your own food and water to ensure you have sufficient supplies for the journey.
Jiaoshan Mountain Great Wall spans 2.5 kilometers with an elevation gain of over 560 meters. Although the straight-line distance isn’t long, it is indeed quite steep.
I went hiking at the Jiaoshan Great Wall with my boyfriend. The entrance ticket costs 40 yuan per person. The climb was quite challenging, with steep steps, and in the middle, we had to climb a ladder to reach the watchtower, and then climb down the ladder afterward. Once we reached the top, there was a section of the wild Great Wall that hasn’t been restored, and the walls on both sides were missing. After climbing a bit of it,… Read more »
Upon arriving at Qixian Temple and Gonggong Pavilion, I truly experienced the beauty of reaching the summit. As expected, the mountain views are breathtaking, and from the top, I had a fantastic vantage point overlooking Yanse Lake below. Although the scenery was slightly shrouded in mist, this only added to the enchanting ambiance reminiscent of the misty landscapes of Jiangnan. On the first floor of Gonggong Pavilion, there’s an abandoned section of the Great Wall and a cable car station.… Read more »
I recommend that young people hike up the Great Wall and take the cable car down. For elderly individuals, it would be best to walk along the trails based on their physical condition or to use the cable car for the entire journey.
Transportation within the scenic area: There are cable cars going up and down, with a one-way fare of 30 yuan and a round trip costing 50 yuan. However, I think it’s worth climbing at least one way on foot; there’s a unique pleasure in hiking it yourself, and the distance is quite manageable.
To reach the Great Wall at Jiaoshan, just go straight for 2 kilometers from the north gate of Shanhai Pass. There were very few people, lots of parking spaces, but parking fees were high (10 yuan per hour). The Jiaoshan Great Wall was built along the Jiaoshan mountain range, with many steep slopes. The artillery platform in the middle is steep, so be cautious and consider your abilities, or you can choose to detour from the side. Once you climb… Read more »
Today, I visited Jiaoshan Great Wall and noticed that a lot of people turned back before reaching one-third of the way, so I want to share the route for those who are interested. I arrived at Jiaoshan Great Wall a little after nine in the morning. Upon entering, head left to find the cable car station. Take the cable car up the mountain (30 yuan for one way, 50 yuan for round trip). After getting off the cable car, continue… Read more »
Travel route: 1. Start from the entrance of Jiaoshan Great Wall Scenic Area (on the right there is a cute pet paradise, with ostriches, peacocks, and deer , etc.). 2. It takes about 1 hour to climb to the highest point of the Great Wall. The total length of the Great Wall section is relatively short, with an ascent of about 400 meters, but the slope is quite steep. 3. Walk along the stone brick road for about 1 hour… Read more »
Vertical ascent is truly an extreme challenge. What’s even more thrilling is realizing you have to descend the same way after reaching the top. I managed to accomplish it alone in a skirt and flip flops – quite impressive! Jiaoshan Mountain really pushes the limits of danger. It was my first time seeing a cable car without a glass exterior. However, the breathtaking scenery at the perilous peak is truly worth it. After reaching the summit, I saw the tear-shaped… Read more »
Climbing the Great Wall for the first time, such a steep one can be described as “straight up” style of ascent.
The first half is climbing the Great Wall, and the second half is walking on a dirt road to climb the mountain.
At the top of the mountain, you can see Yansei Lake, which makes it worth climbing once.