Jinshanling Section of the Wall

The Jinshanling Great Wall was first built in the sixth century during the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-589). Along it are 67 watchtowers, all in different styles, at average intervals of 150 meters.

Located about 95-miles/150 km from Beijing.Jinshanling is also relatively undeveloped for those looking for a more authentic Wall experience. Despite the fact that Jinshanling hasn’t undergone major renovations, it’s the second most complete section of the Great Wall (after Badaling).
The 10km long section has many well-preserved structures including beacon towers and battlements (the best place to appreciate the architectural styles of the Ming towers). Up to 67 towers can be found within a 10km span close to Jinshanling. Most towers are two-stories–coming in different shapes: square, round, and even oddly angular ones located at corners.

During the Ming Dynasty, General Qi Jiguang improved the structure of the Jinshanling Great Wall by making it higher and denser and by building double walls at strategic sections. Its gentle gradient makes Jinshanling a vulnerable spot, easy to attack but difficult to defend. At the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall, however, the walls are more solid, and the watchtowers taller, and more concentrated.

Viewed from a distance, the Jinshanling Great Wall is like a giant dragon, curving its path over the mountain peaks whose line it follows.
Many Great Wall researchers and cultural relics experts, including Luo Zhewen and Zhu Xiyuan, have been coming to Jinshanling since 1980, and consider it to be of strategic importance, great aesthetic value, and to reflect the very essence of the Great Wall.