The flooded wall
A stretch of rampart stands half-submerged where the reservoir was dammed, so the wall appears to rise from the water — the defining, unusual image of Huanghuacheng.
Great Wall & Landmarks
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Huanghuacheng Great Wall: Complete Visitor Guide
The Wall that dips into a lake — a quiet Huairou day trip with water views
Huanghuacheng is the Great Wall section that meets the water. Part of its ramparts was deliberately flooded when a reservoir was built, so you can walk the wall and then boat beneath it. It is restored but far quieter than Badaling, and an easy Huairou day trip. This guide covers the Dongzhimen–Huairou transfer, passport booking, the lakeside walk, and how to pair it with boating.
Quick Facts
- Opening hours
- 08:00–17:00 (summer) · 08:00–16:30 (winter)
- Last entry
- 16:00 (summer) · 15:30 (winter)
- Closed
- Open daily
- Suggested time
- 3–4 hours including boating
- Ticket price
- Around CNY 60; boat ride extra
- Best season
- Summer for boating, autumn for colour
- Booking
- Required — passport ID, real-name reservation
- Nearest metro
- No metro at site — Line 2/13 to Dongzhimen, then the 916 bus to Huairou
How to Book Huanghuacheng with a Foreign Passport
Huanghuacheng uses real-name ticketing tied to your passport through its official WeChat mini-program. Book before you travel so you secure entry and, if you want it, a lakeside boat slot, which is the section's signature experience.
- Book on the official Huanghuacheng (Lakeside Great Wall) WeChat mini-program (search 黄花城水长城). Avoid reseller markups.
- Enter your passport number exactly; one passport equals one ticket and is scanned at the gate.
- Add the boat ride when you book if you want to float beneath the flooded wall.
- Take the 916 bus from Dongzhimen to Huairou, then a local H-prefix bus or taxi to the lake entrance.
Getting There
By metro
Take Metro Line 2 or 13 to Dongzhimen, then the 916 Express bus to Huairou. From Huairou transfer to a local H-prefix bus or a shared taxi to the Huanghuacheng lake entrance (about 40 minutes).
By taxi
Show the driver 黄花城水长城 (Huanghuacheng Lakeside Great Wall). From Huairou a taxi to the lake is a negotiable flat fare.
Entrances
Enter at the lakeside south gate. Walk the restored ridge above the reservoir, then descend to the boat dock or the lakeside path.
What to See Inside
The lakeside boat ride
A boat takes you across the reservoir and beneath the sunken wall, the only place near Beijing where you can float at the base of the Great Wall.
The restored south ridge
Above the lake, a rebuilt section gives an easy walk with open water views on one side and wooded hills on the other — calmer than the famous sections.
The chestnut garrison ruins
Ming-era chestnut trees and old garrison stones dot the hillside, a quiet reminder that soldiers once farmed and guarded this same lakeside pass.
Photo Gallery
The Wall That Met the Water
Huanghuacheng was built in the early Ming dynasty, around the 15th century, to defend the capital's northern flank through the Huairou hills. Its name refers to the yellow wildflowers (huang hua) that once blanketed the slopes in early summer.
The wall served as a border defence for centuries and, like many sections, fell into disuse after the Ming collapse. The dramatic change came in the 1970s, when a reservoir was dammed in the valley and deliberately flooded part of the rampart to store water.
Today Huanghuacheng is unofficially called the Lakeside Great Wall, the only section where the Wall enters a lake. Roughly 10 kilometres of wall survive, and the flooded stretch plus the boat ride have made it a favourite quiet alternative to Badaling.
Suggested Route
- 1. Dongzhimen to Huairou Take the 916 Express from Dongzhimen to Huairou, then transfer to a local bus or shared taxi to the lake entrance.
- 2. Lakeside south gate Show your passport ticket at the south gate and walk to the reservoir shore to see the flooded wall.
- 3. Boat beneath the wall Take the boat across the reservoir and under the submerged rampart — the signature view of this section.
- 4. Climb the restored ridge Walk the rebuilt south ridge above the water for open views, then return to the lakeside path.
- 5. Exit via the lakeside path Stroll the shore back to the south gate and reverse your Huairou and 916 transfer to Beijing.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Do not skip the boat — the flooded wall is the whole point of Huanghuacheng.
- Plan the Huairou transfer; the local bus is infrequent and taxis need negotiating.
- Book the boat in warm months only; it stops in cold weather.
- Bring your physical passport — the gate scanner reads the number, not a photo.
- Avoid the 11:00–14:00 rush when the small site feels crowded.
Combine It With
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to book Huanghuacheng in advance?
Yes. Tickets are real-name and tied to your passport, booked on the official WeChat mini-program. Add the boat ride when you book if you want to float beneath the flooded wall, as it is the section's signature experience.
How much does Huanghuacheng cost?
Entry is around CNY 60, with the lakeside boat extra. Confirm the current combined price on the official account, as the boat is a separate, seasonal charge that pauses in cold weather.
How long does Huanghuacheng take?
Plan three to four hours including the boat and the ridge walk. The 916 bus and Huairou transfer add about two hours each way, so a relaxed half day is realistic.
When is the best time to visit Huanghuacheng?
Summer is best for the boat, while early summer brings the yellow flowers the name comes from and autumn gives clear water and colour. Weekdays are noticeably quieter than weekends.
Is Huanghuacheng worth it versus Badaling?
If you want the iconic, easy postcard, Badaling wins. Huanghuacheng rewards a longer transfer with a unique lakeside setting and far fewer crowds — ideal if you have already done a famous section.