The Great Wall of China spans approximately 13,170 miles across northern China, yet most visitors only experience a handful of heavily restored sections near Beijing. These popular segments, like Badaling and Mutianyu, host millions of tourists annually, while vast stretches of this ancient marvel remain virtually untouched and unexplored.
The contrast between the polished tourist destinations and the crumbling, authentic ruins elsewhere is striking. Here is a list of 20 forgotten sections of the Great Wall where you’ll rarely encounter other visitors, offering a more intimate connection with this historical wonder.
Gubeikou
Located 80 miles northeast of Beijing, Gubeikou remains largely unrestored, preserving its authentic Ming Dynasty construction. The wall here winds dramatically through rugged mountain terrain, with crumbling watchtowers offering panoramic views of the surrounding valleys.
Local farmers occasionally use paths along this section to tend to nearby fields.
Jiankou
Perhaps the most photographed ‘wild’ section, Jiankou features precariously steep climbs and dramatic backdrops that have made it popular with adventurous photographers. Due to its W-shaped ridge line, its name translates to ‘Arrow Nock.’
The deteriorating steps and loose stones require proper hiking gear and caution as you navigate this untamed stretch.
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Huangyaguan
This remote section in Tianjin municipality combines restored and unrestored segments, spanning about 3 miles of mountainous terrain. Ancient battle inscriptions remain visible on some stone blocks, providing glimpses into military history.
The nearby fortress complex includes an unusual maze-like design that once confused invading forces.
Huanghuacheng
Known as the ‘Yellow Flower Wall,’ this section becomes surrounded by vibrant yellow wildflowers each summer. Part of this wall disappears into a reservoir created in the 1970s, resulting in the unusual sight of wall segments emerging from the water like stone islands.
Morning fog often blankets the area, creating an ethereal atmosphere.
Simatai West
While the eastern portion has undergone restoration, Simatai West remains relatively wild and connects to Jiankou through a challenging hike. The engineering here is remarkable, with the wall following ridgelines that seem impossible to traverse.
Stone carvings of unusual designs mark some watchtowers, and historians still debate their meanings.
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Shixiaguan
This ‘Stone Gorge Pass’ section once served as a crucial military checkpoint controlling access to Beijing. The wall features unusually narrow passages and tightly arranged watchtowers, reflecting its strategic importance.
Parts of this section have been reclaimed by dense forest, and tree roots grow through the stone foundations.
Zhenbiancheng
Located in Hebei Province, this remote fortress section sits about 87 miles from Beijing and sees virtually no visitors. The wall here connects to a large garrison town that once housed thousands of soldiers.
Distinctive square holes in the walls were designed for mounting wooden supports that have long since disappeared.
Mutianyu Unrestored
While Mutianyu itself is a popular tourist site, few visitors venture beyond the renovated section to the wild wall that continues eastward. The contrast between maintained and forgotten sections becomes immediately apparent as vegetation overtakes the ancient stonework.
Several watchtowers remain remarkably intact despite centuries of abandonment.
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Panlongshan
This ‘Coiled Dragon Mountain’ section features wall segments that curve dramatically along mountain ridges. Local villagers occasionally use ancient stone from collapsed sections for building materials, continuing the wall’s practical legacy in unexpected ways.
Unusually tall watchtowers distinguish this section from others along the frontier.
Jiumenkou
As the only section of the Great Wall built over water, Jiumenkou crosses the Jiujiang River using specialized water-resistant construction techniques. The nine-arched openings that give this section its name allowed water to flow while maintaining defensive capabilities.
Engineering innovations here demonstrate the remarkable adaptability of ancient Chinese builders.
Shanhaiguan
While the fortress at the eastern terminus sees some tourism, the wall extending northward into the mountains remains largely forgotten. This section marks where the wall meets the Bohai Sea, earning the nickname ‘Old Dragon’s Head.’
Distinctive dark stones from marine sources were used in this coastal construction.
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Dongjiakou
Located in Shandong Province, this rare Ming Dynasty coastal section features unique defensive designs adapted for maritime threats. Unlike most inland sections, the watchtowers here face both landward and seaward.
Local fishing communities have integrated parts of the ancient foundation stones into village buildings.
Yumenguan
Far in the western desert regions, this Hexi Corridor section represents part of the oldest Han Dynasty wall construction. Built primarily using packed earth rather than stone, these ancient barriers blend almost seamlessly into the desert landscape.
Wind erosion continuously reshapes these fragile remnants, making them increasingly difficult to distinguish.
Yanmen Pass
Once considered among the most important military checkpoints along the entire frontier, this remote Shanxi Province section connected multiple defensive lines. The unusual ‘bridge walls’ allowed defenders to move between parallel wall sections.
Gateway stones contain overlapping inscriptions from different dynasties.
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Bingling
This packed earth and scattered stone section in Gansu Province demonstrates wall-building techniques dating back over 2,000 years. Its construction used locally sourced materials, including river pebbles and red clay unique to the region.
Archaeological excavations continue to uncover military artifacts buried beneath collapsed sections.
Pinggu
This overlooked section remains virtually tourist-free, just 40 miles from downtown Beijing, despite its accessibility. The wall here crosses unusually gentle terrain before climbing into nearby hills.
Ancient brick-firing kilns remain visible along the route, showing evidence of on-site manufacturing during construction.
Hushan
This northeastern section in Liaoning Province represents the easternmost confirmed section of the Great Wall system. Korean influences appear in the construction techniques, reflecting cross-border cultural exchange.
The compact watchtowers here differ noticeably from the larger structures common in more central regions.
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Jinshanling Untouched
Beyond the partially restored eastern Jinshanling section lies a wild stretch featuring over twenty dilapidated watchtowers. Unlike many other unrestored sections, detailed stone carvings, including maker’s marks from individual artisans, remain visible here.
Morning light creates dramatic shadows across the undulating wall path.
Xifengkou
This section once guarded a strategic reservoir and today offers views across the water to partially submerged wall segments. Distinctive brick patterns using rectangular and square bricks create unusual visual textures along the wall face.
Local conservation efforts focus on documenting this section before further deterioration occurs.
Badaling Remnants
Ironically, just miles from the most visited section in China lie completely abandoned wall segments that tourists never see. These unrestored ruins provide a perfect before-and-after comparison with their famous neighbor.
Even here, within reach of Beijing’s suburbs, nature steadily reclaims the ancient stonework as trees and shrubs take root among the rubble.
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Silent Sentinels
These forgotten sections of the Great Wall stand as authentic witnesses to history, offering experiences far removed from the commercial atmosphere of restored tourist destinations. Each deteriorating watchtower and crumbling step tells stories spanning centuries of imperial ambition, human struggle, and engineering triumph.
For those willing to venture beyond the familiar, these less-traveled paths provide spectacular views and genuine connections to one of humanity’s most ambitious architectural achievements.
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