天梯

What if I told you there’s a section of the Great Wall so steep, so narrow, it’s known as the Heavenly Ladder? Here at Jiankou, a section of the Great Wall just west of Jiangjunshouguan, you’ll find 天梯 (Tianti), or Sky Stairs. This incredibly steep and narrow climb is not for the faint of heart. Tianti at Jiankou is often called “Sky Stairs” to distinguish it from another similarly named section at Simatai. This helps avoid confusion between the two. This section of the wall clings precariously to a narrow ridge. This ridge dictated the wall’s construction. At its narrowest point, the inside width measures a mere 55.5 centimeters, about 21.5 inches. Imagine squeezing through that space. Tianti is part of a larger three-mountain feature known as Yingfeidaoyang. This translates to “Eagle Flies Upside-Down” or “Upward Flying Eagle”. The name originates from the belief that the peaks are so high, eagles must fly upward to reach them. Another theory suggests the mountain’s contours resemble an eagle with outstretched wings. From Xizhazi, this resemblance is quite striking. Yingfeidaoyang reaches a height of 954 meters, a testament to the challenging terrain the wall traverses. Before reaching Yingfeidaoyang’s central summit, you can find traces of an older wall from the Northern Qi Dynasty. This wall originally veered southeast. The Ming Dynasty wall, which constitutes Tianti, continues north. While the older wall is nearly impossible to see from the main path now, adventurous souls might attempt to locate and follow it. Be warned, it’s extremely difficult. As you continue north along the Ming wall, the path descends briefly before ascending another formidable mountain, adding to the challenge and majesty of this section of the Great Wall. The narrowness of Tianti, combined with the dramatic landscape of Yingfeidaoyang, makes this a truly unforgettable experience.