Huanghuacheng is the Great Wall section where the wall meets a lake. In Huairou District, about 70 km from downtown Beijing, a reservoir raised the water level and submerged the lowest Ming ramparts, so the wall seems to walk straight into the water. Adult tickets are CNY 60 (about US$9), and the drive takes about one and a half to two hours.
- Tickets: CNY 60 (about US$9) for adults, latest published price; reduced price for several groups
- Opening hours: summer weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; winter 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Getting there: about 1.5 to 2 hours by car from central Beijing
- Getting onto the wall: on foot; boat trips run on the reservoir
- Best time: midsummer, when yellow wildflowers cover the hills
Where the wall runs into the reservoir
When the reservoir here filled, the lowest stretches of the Ming wall slipped beneath the surface, and today you can stand on the shore and watch the ramparts run down the hillside and disappear into the lake. That is why it goes by two English names, the Lakeside Great Wall and the Water Great Wall.
Paths along the water pass a Ming-dynasty chestnut garden, where old trees have grown into twisted, knotted shapes over the centuries. In midsummer the hills turn yellow with wildflowers, and that is where the name comes from: huanghua means “yellow flowers.” Boat trips run on the reservoir, so you can also see the wall from the water.
A short history
The wall at Huanghuacheng was built under the Ming Yongle Emperor, more than 600 years ago. Its job was to guard the northern approach to the capital and to the Ming Tombs at Tianshou Mountain, where the Ming emperors were buried.
Huanghuacheng is one stretch of the Great Wall in Beijing, which runs for 520.77 km across six districts of the city, Huairou among them. It is a 4A-rated scenic area in Jiuduhe Town.
Tickets and who pays less
The adult ticket is CNY 60 (about US$9), according to the Beijing government’s latest published listing. Other sources quote different prices, so we confirm the current price when we book your day.
A reduced price applies to these groups:
- full-time students, undergraduate and below
- children over 6 and up to 18
- visitors over 60 who are not Beijing residents
- military personnel, firefighters and some social-security holders
The reduced price is not in the official listing, but travelers in 2026 report paying CNY 30 (about US$4.50), about half the adult price. The senior rule does not say whether it covers passport holders, so we check eligibility for your group when we book.
Opening hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Summer, Monday to Friday | 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Summer, Saturdays and public holidays | 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
| Summer, Sundays and the last day of a holiday | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Winter, daily | 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
The longer Saturday and holiday hours include Golden Week. These are the latest hours the Beijing government has published; we re-check them before your visit, especially around the change of season.
What to see and do
- The drowned wall: walk the shore paths to the spots where the ramparts run into the lake. Morning is a good time for still water and reflections.
- The restored wall: climb onto the open stretch above the water for views back over the reservoir and the hills.
- A boat trip: see the wall from out on the reservoir.
- The chestnut garden: wander under the old Ming-era trees, especially pleasant in the heat of summer.
There is no cable car or lift that we know of, so getting onto the wall means climbing on foot. You can keep the day gentle by spending most of it along the lakeside paths and the chestnut garden, and climbing only as far as feels comfortable. Travelers with grandparents and children describe an easy loop of two to three hours: enter by the east gate, take the boat across to the peninsula when boats are running, walk through the chestnut garden, climb a short stretch of wall, and come back along the lakeside boardwalk.
Tell us your dates, group size and what you would like to see. We reply with a day-by-day plan and a written quote.
Stay on the open wall
Huanghuacheng sits among unrestored stretches of wall that are not part of the open scenic area. Climbing unopened wall is prohibited, and Beijing’s Great Wall Protection Regulations, in force since 1 March 2026, call for warning signs near these sections, allow electronic fences, and require scenic-area managers to stop visitors climbing them. With us, you walk only the open paths and wall inside the ticketed area.
Getting there from Beijing
Huanghuacheng is about 70 km from downtown Beijing, in Jiuduhe Town in Huairou District. By car it takes about one and a half to two hours from central Beijing in normal traffic, longer at weekends and on holidays. A private car is the simplest way to get there and back.
Huanghuacheng or Mutianyu?
Both are in Huairou District and both are Ming wall, but they suit different days. Mutianyu has an enclosed cable car, a chairlift and a toboggan, and it is one of the best-preserved sections near Beijing, which makes it the easier choice for a first visit with grandparents or young children. Huanghuacheng is walk-only, but it has the wall and the water together, with boats, lakeside paths and the chestnut garden.
If this is your only Great Wall day, most first-time visitors are happiest at Mutianyu. If you have already walked a ridge-top section, or you would like a day spent mostly by the water, Huanghuacheng makes a good second Great Wall visit. Our guide to which part of the Great Wall to visit compares all the open sections.
When to go
Midsummer is the season Huanghuacheng is named for, when the yellow wildflowers are out and the chestnut trees give shade along the water. Summer also brings the longest opening hours. Spring and autumn are cooler for the climb, and winter visits are possible on shorter hours. For temperatures and rainfall month by month, read our guide to the best time to visit Beijing.
Visiting Huanghuacheng with us
We can build a private day around Huanghuacheng, with a car or van and driver just for your group, an English-speaking guide, and hotel pick-up and drop-off in central Beijing. You can spend a long morning by the lake, climb a short way, or take a boat trip, and there are no shopping stops. Tell us what you have in mind, or browse our Beijing private tours for ready-made days we can adapt.
Tell us your dates, group size and what you would like to see. We reply with a day-by-day plan and a written quote.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Huanghuacheng Great Wall ticket?
The adult ticket is CNY 60 (about US$9), according to the Beijing government's latest published listing. Students, children over 6, visitors over 60 from outside Beijing and some other groups pay a reduced price. We confirm current prices and eligibility when we book.
Why is Huanghuacheng called the Water Great Wall?
A reservoir built here raised the water level and submerged the lowest stretches of the Ming wall. From the shore you can see the ramparts run down the hillside into the lake, which is why it is also known as the Lakeside Great Wall.
Is there a cable car at Huanghuacheng?
We know of no cable car or lift at Huanghuacheng, so plan to climb onto the wall on foot. You can keep the day gentle by spending more time on the lakeside paths, in the chestnut garden or on a boat trip.
How far is Huanghuacheng from Beijing?
It is about 70 km from downtown Beijing, in Jiuduhe Town, Huairou District. By car it takes about one and a half to two hours from central Beijing in normal traffic, and longer at weekends and on public holidays.
What are the opening hours of Huanghuacheng?
In summer it opens 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays and holidays, and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays. Winter hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. We re-check hours before your visit.
Can I hike the unrestored wall near Huanghuacheng?
No. Unopened sections are off-limits and climbing them is prohibited. Under Beijing's Great Wall Protection Regulations, in force since 1 March 2026, scenic-area managers must stop visitors who try. We walk only the open paths and wall inside the ticketed scenic area.
When is the best time to visit Huanghuacheng?
Midsummer is the classic season, when the yellow wildflowers that gave Huanghuacheng its name are out and opening hours are longest. Spring and autumn are cooler for climbing, and winter visits run on shorter hours.
Facts checked: 5 November 2026. Ticket prices, opening hours and entry rules can change; we re-check before every booking.