Juyonguan Great Wall and Shuiguan Great Wall, 2022/01/16
Hiking down steep stairs at the Juyongguan Great Wall.

Juyonguan Great Wall and Shuiguan Great Wall, 2022/01/16

We picked a perfect time to visit the usually super-touristy Juyongguan Great Wall and Shuiguan Great Wall—clear skies, mild temperatures, great views, and practically no other visitors. See 26 photos.

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We wouldn’t usually hike at either of these two parts of the Great Wall, as they’re the closest to Beijing and are typically very crowded.

But with cold winter temperatures and travel into Beijing restricted due to the Winter Olympics we thought we’d take a shot, assuming there would be far fewer people about.

We first did the loop on the Great Wall at Juyongguan, hiking up the steep steps to the peak on the west side. From the top we had views north towards the Badaling Great Wall, and even further to the Winter Olympics ski runs on top of Haituo Mountain.

After completing the loop with a look at Juyongguan’s Cloud Platform we drove to the Shuiguan Great Wall.

At the Shuiguan Great Wall we warmed up with a big lunch before doing a short hike on the north side of the Great Wall there.

Juyongguan Great Wall

Juyonguan Great Wall and Shuiguan Great Wall, 2022/01/16 photo #1
Starting out at the Juyongguan Great Wall.
Juyonguan Great Wall and Shuiguan Great Wall, 2022/01/16 photo #2
Some of the steep stairs.
Juyonguan Great Wall and Shuiguan Great Wall, 2022/01/16 photo #3
Looking over to the east side.
Juyonguan Great Wall and Shuiguan Great Wall, 2022/01/16 photo #4
Juyonguan Great Wall and Shuiguan Great Wall, 2022/01/16 photo #5
Juyonguan Great Wall and Shuiguan Great Wall, 2022/01/16 photo #6
Nearing the top of the west side, with views of the southern end of the Badaling Pass opening up into Beijing.
Juyonguan Great Wall and Shuiguan Great Wall, 2022/01/16 photo #7
Juyonguan Great Wall and Shuiguan Great Wall, 2022/01/16 photo #8
Hiking down from the top of the west side.
Juyonguan Great Wall and Shuiguan Great Wall, 2022/01/16 photo #9
The Badaling Great Wall can be seen in the middle distance, with the Haituo Mountain ski slopes at the top left of the photo.
Juyonguan Great Wall and Shuiguan Great Wall, 2022/01/16 photo #10
Looking down the steepest part of the wall at Juyongguan.
Juyonguan Great Wall and Shuiguan Great Wall, 2022/01/16 photo #11
Nearly back down to the pass.
Juyonguan Great Wall and Shuiguan Great Wall, 2022/01/16 photo #12
Views up the Badaling Pass, one of the easiest ways through the mountains north of Beijing.
Juyonguan Great Wall and Shuiguan Great Wall, 2022/01/16 photo #13
The North Gate at Juyongguan.
Juyonguan Great Wall and Shuiguan Great Wall, 2022/01/16 photo #14
Starting up the stairs on the east side.
Juyonguan Great Wall and Shuiguan Great Wall, 2022/01/16 photo #15
Looking over to the west side.
Juyonguan Great Wall and Shuiguan Great Wall, 2022/01/16 photo #16
Juyonguan Great Wall and Shuiguan Great Wall, 2022/01/16 photo #17
Juyonguan Great Wall and Shuiguan Great Wall, 2022/01/16 photo #18
Juyonguan Great Wall and Shuiguan Great Wall, 2022/01/16 photo #19
The Cloud Platform.
Juyonguan Great Wall and Shuiguan Great Wall, 2022/01/16 photo #20
Juyonguan Great Wall and Shuiguan Great Wall, 2022/01/16 photo #21

Shuiguan Great Wall

Juyonguan Great Wall and Shuiguan Great Wall, 2022/01/16 photo #22
Starting out again, with more steep stairs.
Juyonguan Great Wall and Shuiguan Great Wall, 2022/01/16 photo #23
Views of the Shuiguan Great Wall.
Juyonguan Great Wall and Shuiguan Great Wall, 2022/01/16 photo #24
Looking north from the top section of the Shuiguan Great Wall.
Juyonguan Great Wall and Shuiguan Great Wall, 2022/01/16 photo #25
The wall here continues all the way to Badaling.
Juyonguan Great Wall and Shuiguan Great Wall, 2022/01/16 photo #26