Jiankou, Mountain trail section of Great Wall in Huairou District, China
Jiankou is an unrestored section of the Great Wall located in Huairou District, running along a ridge of white limestone with steep drops on both sides. Several watchtowers remain standing at irregular intervals, their stonework largely unchanged since they were first built.
This section was built in 1368 during the Ming Dynasty as part of a large network of frontier defenses along the northern border. Parts of it were reinforced in the 16th century, after which the structure was largely left without maintenance.
The name Jiankou means Arrow Nock, a reference to the shape of the mountain ridge that curves like a drawn bow. Walking along the crests, you can see how the terrain naturally suggested this image to those who named it.
Reaching Jiankou requires a hike of several hours over steep and uneven ground, so solid footwear is necessary. The path becomes slippery after rain, and some sections are narrow enough to require careful footing even in dry conditions.
One of the towers along this section is known as Sky Stairs and was built at such a steep angle that its floor nearly faces straight up toward the sky. From below, the tower looks as if it is about to tip over, creating a disorienting effect for anyone who stops to look at it.
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