The Jiankou Great Wall, one of the most dangerous sections of the Great Wall, will open its first tourist route this year, allowing the public access to a previously off-limits segment, according to authorities in Beijing’s Huairou District.
The new public route will span the segment between defense towers 141 and 145. Zhang Tong, an official with the Huairou Culture and Tourism Bureau, said the route aims to highlight restoration and archaeological efforts while guiding visitors in “legally visiting the Great Wall.”
The Jiankou section is considered one of the most perilous parts of the Great Wall, attracting daring hikers. Its name, “Jiankou,” comes from its aerial shape, which resembles a drawn bow. However, occasional hiker casualties have been reported over the years.
Since 2016, the Jiankou Great Wall has been closed to the public for protective restoration.
Originally constructed during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and later restored in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Jiankou Great Wall links the Mutianyu section to the east and the Huanghuacheng section to the west.
The Great Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is made up of numerous interconnected sections. Spanning 15 provincial-level regions, it is China’s largest cultural heritage site, with some sections dating back over 2,000 years.