Among all sections of the Great Wall, Jinshanling Great Wall is my favorite section. I have been there for three times. This travelogue synthesizes pictures of three times of my travel to Jinshanling.

Jinshangling Great Wall is largely known for its uniquely complex structure and densely distributed lookout towers. In total here are 158 lookout towers of various styles. Some are made of brick and wood, some are brick and stone.

The Jinshanling section was originally constructed from 1368 to 1389 in the Ming Dynasty, and in 1567 or 1570 the Wall was rebuilt  by General Qi Jiguang. Poems and tablet writings can be found on the wall left from that time.

The cable car is the easiest way to reach the Great Wall. However if  take a cable car up, you will skip over 5 watch towers. This is the Little Jinshang Watchtower, located in the middle part of the Jinshanling Great Wall, after get off the cable car and climb for about 200 meters, you will find the tower.

This is the Little Jinshan Lookout Tower, located in the middle part of the Jinshanling Great Wall, after get off the cable car and climb for about 200 meters, you will find the tower.

Look at the towers from Little Jinshan Tower.

This photo is taken from the Big Jinshan Tower, the tower in the distance is the Little Jinshan Tower.

This photo is taken in the corner after passing Big Jinshan Tower. The beacon tower is very shabby, which arouses conscience to protect it.

Climb after this part, you will reach  the Houchuan Kou and Houchuan Tower.

The highest tower is named Dongwuyan Tower. If you are not strong enough you can walk no small mountain road and do not climb this part.

After passing Dongwuyuan Tower, you will find Qilin Tower in front of you. Behind this tower you will see the “character bricks.”

These wall bricks were carved with Chinese characters. These literal bricks tell when the bricks were made and who made it.

These characters should not be written by Chinese ancestors.

You can take bus from DongzhimenWai between 7:30 – 9:00 and back from Jinshanling 14:30-16:00, the round way ticket is 38 yuan. The bus only runs on weekend. Or you can also take a join-in bus tour, the cost is about USD45 per person including tour vehicles, guide, lunch, ticket, pick up and drop off service. You can also find more travel tips at the page: https://www.intochinatravel.com/jinshanling-great-wall-travel-tips/