The Jiankou to Mutianyu hike: what you need to know
Jiankou lies north-west of Mutianyu and is described as steep, rugged and full of hard climbs and descents. Parts of it are the unrestored wall that many photos show. It is also not an opened visitor area.
Beijing's new Great Wall protection regulation has been in force since 1 March 2026. It bans organised activities on wall sections that have not been opened as visitor areas. It also bans fires, taking stones or bricks, and damage to the wall. Nothing you buy online turns a closed section into a permitted one, and a tour listing is not a permit.
What the rules say about unopened sections
Clear limits, no loopholes.
Organised activities are banned
Article 22 of the regulation prohibits organised activities on wall sections that are not open to visitors. That covers guided hikes and group outings on such sections.
Warning signs and monitoring
Article 31 provides for warning signs on surrounding roads and for technical means to warn and deter people from sections that are not open. A section being restored or planned for opening is not an open section.
Fires and damage
Fires, removing stones or bricks and damaging the wall are banned. For serious unauthorised fires, the fine for an individual is CNY 1,000 to 5,000. That figure applies to fires and should not be read as a general entry fee or fine for hikers.
Jiankou is not open
A visitor area at Jiankou is planned for the future, but a plan is not an opening. The restoration announced in 2024 covers 915 m, 6 towers and 5 wall sections, with a target date of November 2026. A finished restoration does not by itself open the wall to visitors.
If you meet a closed section, turn back. This guide does not describe ways around closures, and neither should a tour you book.
Great Wall hikes and day trips from Beijing
Guided walks and day trips on opened sections of the wall, with live prices and availability.
Where you can walk at Mutianyu
The opened stretch, from the cable car to the towers.
From the north entrance
The walking route starts at the north entrance. The path climbs to tower 10 and continues to tower 14, where the cable car arrives. It is the way to walk the wall without taking a lift up.
From the cable car platform
The cable car arrives at tower 14. From there you can walk along the towers in either direction. A short walk to tower 15 and back is possible if time is limited.
Further along the wall
The open stretch is described as running to tower 18, 20 or 23 in different versions of the visitor rules. Ask at the ticket office which towers are open on your day, and turn back where the path is closed.
Repair work
Restoration of parts of the wall between towers 16 and 17 began on 26 May 2026. The inside of tower 16 stays open. Check the current status before you plan to go that far.
A guided Mutianyu hike
One published route, with its cost and effort.
One Beijing bus operator sells a guided hike on the opened wall for CNY 450 in 2026. It covers about 5 km. You ride the cable car up to tower 14, walk on to tower 20 and return to tower 6. The price includes the bus, a guide, entry and the internal shuttle, plus the cable car up. The way down on foot or by toboggan is extra.
The operator calls the hike physically demanding and excludes people with knee or joint problems and heart or breathing problems. It is a Mutianyu hike on the opened wall. It is not a crossing from Jiankou. Confirm the meeting point and departure time before you book.
Rules on the wall
For everyone who walks the opened stretch.
Leave the stone as it is
Do not scratch, carve or write on the wall, and do not climb on the battlements.
No fire, no smoking, no pets
Open fire, smoking and bringing animals are not allowed.
Stay on the opened path
Follow the signs, turn back where a stretch is closed, and do not step over barriers.
Shoes and water
This is an outdoor walk on old stone with climbs. Wear sturdy shoes with grip and carry water.
Jiankou to Mutianyu hike: frequently asked questions
Can I hike from Jiankou to Mutianyu?
No legal through hike is open. Jiankou is not an opened visitor area, and Beijing's regulation, in force since 1 March 2026, bans organised activities on unopened sections. Walk the opened stretch at Mutianyu instead.
Are there fines for entering a closed section?
The regulation sets a fine of CNY 1,000 to 5,000 for individuals who light serious unauthorised fires. For other breaches, there is no single amount to quote. Do not enter sections that are not open.
Is the wild wall at Jiankou safe?
Jiankou is described as steep and rugged, with hard climbs and descents. Unrestored sections are not a managed visitor area, and nothing there is set up for visitors. That is a reason to stay on the opened wall.
How long is the walk at Mutianyu?
One guided route covers about 5 km, from the cable car at tower 14 to tower 20 and back to tower 6. A short out-and-back from the cable car to tower 15 takes much less time.
When will Jiankou open?
A visitor area is planned, and the restoration announced in 2024 has a target of November 2026. There is no opening date for visitors. Look for a clear announcement before you plan a trip around it.
Is the hike hard?
The guided Mutianyu route is called physically demanding and is not suitable with knee, joint, heart or breathing problems. You can shorten the day by starting at the cable car platform and turning back when you like.