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Huangyaguan Great Wall

The Huangyaguan pass of the Great Wall, China hiking tour

Huangyaguan Great Wall

Summary – Why Visit Huangyaguan (黄崖关)

Huangyaguan (Yellow Cliff Pass) lies on a steep and abrupt mountain ridge, and got its name from the yellowish hills and rocks nearby. To the east there are cliffs, and to the west crags. The Great Wall at Huangyaguan encapsulates the essence of the Great Wall, with outstanding architectural variety and some of the unique features of the Wall.

With various forms of watch towers along the walls, the largest tower on the Great Wall, Phoenix Tower, and the most unique castle, Bagua (‘Eight Trigrams’) Castle, Huangyaguan Great Wall is considered to be a miniature representation of the whole Great Wall with the greatest variety contained within one section.

Features

Huangyaguan Great WallWith its walls and towers built on a mountain ridge and an average altitude of over 700 meters, Huangyaguan has amazing scenery. It jumps its way up and down along the ridge between cliffs and crags. Amongst the mountain scenery, visitors enjoy the waterfalls and springs.

History: Originally built in the Northern Qi Dynasty (550 - 557), the Huangyaguan Great Wall has a history of over 1400 years. It was reinforced to a large extent with brick walls in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). In 1985, reparation work was performed for the second time, including the walls , more than 20 watch towers and a water pass.

Dimensions: Built on a mountain ridge with an average altitude of over 700 meters, the Huangyaguan Great Wall stretches 42 kilometers (26 miles) long with 66 watch towers. Its defensive system is complete with drain holes, emplacements, forts and other military facilities arranged systematically along the wall.

Scenery: The scenery at Huangyaguan is great in every season. See “What is the best time to visit the Great Wall?”

Travel Essentials

When to go

The scenery of the Great Wall varies with the seasons and each season has its pros and cons. Click here for what you can expect on the Great Wall near Beijing.

Great Wall Tours

Great Wall Tours
The Huangyaguan Great Wall Tour from $111*
Include the Huangyaguan Great Wall-Yellow Cliff Great Wall.
4-Day Essence of Beijing Tour A from $445*
See the top sights of Beijing, including the Great Wall at Mutianyu.
6-Day Great Wall Hiking Around Beijing Tour from $885*
Includes Mutianyu, Gubeikou, Jinshanling, Simatai and Huangya Pass.
8-Day Essence of China Tour – Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai from $1463*
See the top sights of China’s Golden Triangle, including the Great Wall at Mutianyu.
more Great Wall Tours
*Prices based on 2 persons

Transport

Huangyaguan is located 126 kilometers (78 miles) north of Tianjin City Center, and 95km ( 59 miles) east of Beijing City Center. China Highlights use high-quality air-conditioned private transport to take the hassle out of getting to the wall.

Walking Conditions

The steps of the Great Wall at Huangyaguan are rather steep and some with uneven surfaces. Hikers need to be in good physical condition to complete this hike. Cable cars are not available at the Huangyaguan Great Wall.

What to Wear

Dress for hiking and dress for the weather. Choose comfortable footwear with good grip and support for the feet. Layers of clothes that can be taken on and off allow for greater comfort and temperature control. Wear/bring sun protection in the summer and dress for sub-zero temperatures in the winter.

What to Bring

Bring breathable waterproofs for protection from rain and wind. Umbrellas may be used here as the ascents and descents are not difficult, but may be inconvenient in strong winds. Bring snacks and water if you want to walk a long portion of the wall.

Nearby Attractions

If you want to see more of the Great Wall near Beijing, see here for a list of the sections.

There are also many attractions to see in Tianjin City and Beijing City.