Overhanging Great Wall (Xuanbi Great Wall)

The Overhanging Great Wall, known in Chinese as Xuanbi, is a restored stretch of Ming-dynasty Great Wall in Jiayuguan, Gansu, China, about 7 km from Jiayuguan Fort. It climbs the steep slope of a ridge in the Heishan range, rising at a sharp angle so that the wall seems to hang from the mountainside, which gives it its name. The wall was built to extend the defences of the pass northward from the fort, and the restored section is about 750 metres long, with steep stone steps and watchtowers along the crest. Visitors climb from the base along a narrow stairway on top of the wall, where the incline is steep enough that handrails and a steady pace matter. From the upper towers, there are views down a rocky valley, across the Gobi plain and back toward the fort and the city of Jiayuguan, with the Qilian Mountains visible on clear days. The climb takes effort but is short, and most visitors need about one to one and a half hours to ascend, look around and return. The ticket is included in the Jiayuguan Pass ticket, which is valid for three days and also covers the fort and the First Beacon Tower, so the wall is usually visited on the same trip as the fort. Morning is the best time, as the ascent is cooler and the sun is behind the viewer in the east for photographs of the slope. Midday in summer can be hot and exposed, and the stone steps are slippery when wet or icy. Good footwear, water and sun protection are recommended, and visitors with a fear of heights may prefer to stop at lower towers. A taxi from the fort costs a few yuan, and some visitors walk along the road, which takes about an hour. Crowds are moderate and peak around national holidays and summer weekends.