Experienced hikers · Photographers · 2 nights
Three-Day Backcountry: Unrestored Ming Ramparts
Jiankou and Jiuyanlou preserve raw, uncurated Ming stonework along sheer dolomite ridges. Here are verified trailheads, realistic climbing times, and critical safety turnaround markers.
Day 1
Arrival & warmup on Lü’an Ridge
10 km · 15 min by car
Xiangshui Lake lies 10 km away, featuring the weathered ramparts of Lü’an Ridge and Huairou’s largest freshwater spring. A balanced half-day warmup walk before tackling steeper terrain tomorrow.
Day 2 — Jiankou
Approach from Xizhazi village
1.5 h drive · 30 min climb · ~4 h on the wall
A 1.5-hour car transfer brings you to Xizhazi village at the base of Jiankou. A steady 30-minute climb brings you onto the ridge. From here, walk north toward Zhengbeilou or south toward Mutianyu — expect roughly 4 hours traversing the masonry.
Alternative ridge route from Mutianyu
round trip 5–6 h
From Mutianyu, follow the wall northwest past Tower 23 where restored paving ends and Jiankou begins. Proceed along the dramatic Ox Horn Edge to Zhengbeilou, where the entire sweeping spine of Jiankou unfolds. Budget 5–6 hours round trip.
Critical safety turnaround at Zhengbeilou
West of Zhengbeilou, the stone wall turns into vertical crumbling drops with extreme fall hazards. Our trail guide states firmly: do not proceed west. Rest, photograph the landscape, and retrace your steps.
Complimentary pickup before 17:30
free pickup ≤ 17:30
If exiting through the Mutianyu resort gate, the hotel provides a complimentary return transfer if you arrive at the entrance before 17:30. Take the one-way cable car down or descend along the footpaths.
Day 3 — Jiuyanlou
Navigation instructions for Jiuyanlou
15 km · 20 min by car · 1 h by bike
Set navigation to Zhuanghu village inside the Xiangshui Lake scenic valley. Inform the gatekeeper you are visiting Yijing Banshan to bypass entrance ticket checks. Continue past Mother-and-Child Rock to the end of the paved road, where signposts for Jiuyanlou mark the parking trailhead.
Forest trail & zero cellular coverage
40 min trail + 40 min unmarked
A stone trail ascends roughly 40 minutes to a mid-mountain terrace. From there, the trail becomes an uncurated dirt scramble through dense forest, taking another 40+ minutes to reach the tower. Follow yellow trail ribbons and directional rock markings. Note: cellular service is entirely absent.
Essential gear & wildfire rules
Wear grippy hiking shoes, pack windproof layers (valley temperatures drop quickly), carry plenty of drinking water, and bring a basic first-aid kit. Smoking or using open flames anywhere on the mountain is strictly illegal in this protected forest. Never pose on cliff edges.