Hushan Great Wall 虎山长城

About Hushan Great Wall

The height above the surrounding plain provides a clear sense of why this border position mattered. Much of the visible wall is modern restoration, so distinguish it from the archaeological remains that informed the reconstruction. The upper watchtower and river views are the main objectives; a complete circuit should not be assumed, because the lower return walkway has had closures.

Hushan was originally called Ma'er Mountain, and the wall here, recorded as the 'old border wall' (老边墙), was first built in the fifth year of the Ming Chenghua era (1469) at the foot of the hill, part of the Ming dynasty's border defenses running from the Yalu River east to Jiayuguan in the west, built to guard against the rising Jurchen people and raiders from the sea. By the late Ming the area had come under the actual control of the Later Jin; after the Battle of Sarhu the wall was destroyed as a military stronghold blocking the Later Jin, and once the Qing had entered the pass it lost its military purpose and was abandoned.

The hill lies at the confluence of the Yalu River and its tributary, the Ai River (叆河), about 20 kilometers from central Dandong, and faces North Korea across the water. It covers an area of about 4 square kilometers, with the main peak rising to 146.3 meters amid otherwise flat surrounding terrain. In 2013 the wall was listed as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level (全国重点文物保护单位), grouped with other Great Wall sites in the fifth such batch.

What to look for

• The restored wall's steep ascent and watchtower sequence.
• Views over the Yalu–Ai river landscape from the permitted upper lookout.

The surrounding area

Eastern border-city base for Yalu riverfront history and a different coastal-border food repertoire.

Location & getting there

Getting to Hushan Great Wall

Go to Hushan Village in Hushan Town, Kuandian Manchu Autonomous County, northeast of Dandong.

• Confirm the return route before climbing; the lower walkway was reported closed in 2025 and should not be treated as a guaranteed loop.