Huanghuacheng Great Wall – Lakeside Great Wall

The Huanghuacheng section of Great Wall is a national AAAA-level scenic spot and a national key cultural relic. It is the only section of Great Wall where the Great Wall is connecting with water. Tourists are able to enjoy the Great Wall view while sailing on the lake. The scenic spot is around 70 km away from downtown Beijing. The Huanghuacheng section of Great Wall was built during the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty (1404) and has a history of more than 600 years. Here the Huanghuacheng Great Wall not only guards the north gate of the capital, but also the Ming Dynasty Tombs.

Magnificent mountains, clear waters, and majestic Great Wall, all can be found in the Huanghuacheng Great Wall scenic area, which is definitely unique. This park combines both the elegant charm of the south of China and the magnificent scenery of the north. If you want to avoid crows and queues when travelling Beijing Great Wall tours, Huanghuacheng Great Wall is a nice choice.

Huanghuacheng Great Wall Facts

Chinese Name: 黄花城水长城

Location: Xishuiyu, Huairou District, Jiuduhe town, Beijing, China. 北京怀柔区九渡河镇西水峪.

Opening hours: 8:00-16:30/17:00

How far from Beijing: 70km.

Ticket price: RMB60.

Price for shared boat (optional): RMB25.

Length of Great Wall: 13km.

What to see and do in Huanghuacheng Great Wall scenic area?

1. Great Wall with some parts under the water

The Great Wall itself is a fairly important historic site in China. Like a huge dragon, the Great Wall begins in the east at Shanhaiguan and ends at Jiayuguan in the west, winding its way through deserts, basins, plains and mountains of North China extending about 8851.8 km. There are several sections of Great Wall that can be visited in Beijing, but the only section with some parts under the water is the Huanghuacheng section.

The Great Wall in the water was caused by the closure of the dam. Due to the water level rise, parts of the Great Wall in the low valley were submerged in the water, forming the scene of the water Great Wall, which is a unique scenic spot. Combine the leisure of water and the magnificence of Great Wall, the Huanghuacheng Great Wall Park offers tourists a totally different experience. Hiking the Great Wall on the lakeside here is also easy in contrast with other sections of Great Wall. There are still many steps but not many steep angles up and down. The hiking distance is flexible and adjustable.

>> You may also be interested in The 13 Best Places to Visit the Great Wall of China

2. Boating on Haoming Lake

Hao Ming Lake is surrounded by mountains, with a surface of 200,000m² and an average water depth of 8 meters. The water quality has reached the national first-class standard. Due to the good water quality, there are many wild fish living in the lake. It is a hiding place for big fishes. Around November every year, groups of wild mandarin ducks inhabit the shores of Haoming Lake, which is very spectacular. There are several kinds of boat available to choose here, such as speed boat, shared boat, handy boat, padalo, etc. Try a boat riding in the Huanghuacheng Great Wall Scenic Area is a kind of must to do thing.

3. Camping in the Chestnut orchard or on the peninsula

The chestnut orchard dating back to the Ming Dynasty covers an area of more than 100 acres and there are more than 40 old trees. In the Ming Dynasty, the guards of the Great Wall also plant food by themselves. They worked hard in the chestnut orchard and obviously they got a huge success in it. Hundreds years later, the chestnut trees still has strong roots and dense leaves. It can be described as a unique cultural wonder in the suburbs of Beijing. The Huanghuacheng Great Wall Park allows tourists to camp in the chestnut orchard in evening with their own camping facilities. At the foot of the Great Wall, by the side of the Haoming Lake, camping with friends must be full of fun. Bonfire party and barbecue can be held in peninsula of the park, which will fulfill your evening here.

4. Team building activities for student group or incentive groups

Team building activities are in purpose of tightening the relationship between students or colleagues. The Huanghuacheng Great Wall offers a site special for team building activities. Students and company employees can play some games using the ladder, broken bridge, gymnastic bars, wooden shoes,etc., to hold a very meaningful and interesting team building work. Such kind of location with both Great Wall and team building activities is fairly uncommon.Together with the boat riding and Great Wall hiking, it can be a perfect day.

How to get to the Huanghuacheng Great Wall from Beijing?

By private vehicle: the most convenient and recommended way from Beijing to Huanghuacheng Great Wall is taking the private vehicle service of Easy Tour China. Please book the service at least one day in advance.

By public bus: first you need to go to Dongzhimen (东直门) by yourself. Bus No. 24, 106, 107, 123, 132, 206 or subway line 2, 13, or the Airport Express Line will do. Second, take Bus No. 916 from Dongzhimen bus station to Huairou Bus Station (怀柔汽车站), and then the ‘Huairou–Water Great Wall’ Bus (怀柔–水长城专线车) to Huanghuacheng.