Jinshanling Great Wall Cable Car 2024: Maps, Travel Ideas and Tips

Located in Chengde, Hebei, Jinshanling Great Wall is renowned as the most beautiful section of the Great Wall, attracting lots of domestic and foreign travelers. It is available to have a hiking journey to travel the open section of Jinshanling Great Wall or take a cable car to the hillside. If you are not a serious hiker, taking a cable car up or down is a great way to save your time and energy. For those travelers with seniors or kids, taking a cable car is also top recommended.

Jinshanling Great Wall Map (Click to Enlarge)

Enclosed Cable Car to Jinshanling Great Wall

There is only one cable car route from the Medial Gate (main entrance) to the hillside Great Wall, with 1020 meters long and a drop of 150 meters, which can directly reach the highest point in the middle of the Jinshanling Great Wall - Small Jinshan Tower (小金山楼). The enclosed cable car integrates safety, comfort and efficiency together and more suitable for a family travel with little kids and the seniors, or you need to climb about 40 minutes. From the sightseeing window, you can easily admire the beautiful landscape around Jinshanling Great Wall. When you get off the cable car, you still have some steps to climb to get up on to the wall itself.

Route: Ticket Check of Medial Gate to Small Jinshan Tower

Cableway Length: 1020 meters, about 17 minutes

Operating Hours: 08:00 ~ 17:00

Maximum Capacity: 2 people

One-way Tickets: CNY 40

Round-way Tickets: CNY 60

Viewing Big and Small Jinshan Tower on Jinshanling Great Wall in Autumn
(Photo by Our Guest)

How to Get to Lower Cable Car Station?

All cars and buses will stop in the Parking Lot of Jinshanling Great Wall Scenic Area. Travelers can take a 10 minutes' shuttle bus to the check gate, then you can take the cable car directly at the entrance. Learn more about How to Get to Jinshanling Great Wall >>

Travel Ideas after Getting to Great Wall by Covered Cable Car

It is convenient and fast to take the cable car, and you can go directly to Small Jinshan Tower, the essence of the Jinshanling Great Wall. Then you can go the left line and go down the wall from Shalingkou (沙岭口) Pass, which takes about 1 hour, or take the right line and go down from Houchuankou (后川口) Pass, which takes about 1.5 hours. Those who take pictures of the sunrise can walk up the Small Jinshan Tower and go down by cable car; People who take pictures of the sunset can go directly to Small Jinshan Tower by the cable car and walk down. For families with the elderly and kids, they can directly take the cable car up and down, which can not only enjoy the essence scenery of the Jinshanling Great Wall, but also save physical strength without being too tired. Learn more about Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking Guide >>

Tips for Taking Cable Car on Jinshanling Great Wall

1. Cable Car Closure in Bad Weather: In the bad weather with strong wind, rain or snow, the cable car will be temporarily closed.

2. Cable Car Maintenance: During certain periods, especially in winter (late November to next March), the cable car may be closed for temporary maintenance, so it is advisable to pay attention to the official notice in advance.

3. Sunrise and Sunset Cable Car Access: If you want to enjoy the sunrise or sunset of the Jinshanling Great Wall, then you can only take the one-way cable car and hike up or down the wall, as the cable car operates outside of sunrise and sunset.

4. Crowds During Holidays: Although Jinshanling Great Wall is less crowded than some other popular Great Walls (like Badaling Great Wall, Mutianyu Great Wall), there are still many travelers in some Chinese Holidays, including May Day, National Day, Spring Festival, etc. You may need to queue for the cable car.

5. Dress for Temperature Changes: There are hug temperature gap between daytime and night, and the temperature can be very low in the early morning or late evening, so you can bring some clothes to keeping warm.

6. Travel Light: It is recommended to travel lightly and reduce the luggage items so as not to consume a lot of physical energy.

7. Wear Comfortable Shoes: When climbing the Great Wall, it is recommended to choose comfortable hiking shoes.

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