Beijing and Zhangjiakou retain abundant resources of the Great Wall, with the historical panorama both inside and outside the wall unfolding along its length, showcasing the rich history of the Beijing-Zhangjiakou region.

Juyongguan Great Wall

The Juyongguan Great Wall is located in Changping District, Beijing, 60 kilometers away from downtown Beijing. It is an important pass of the Great Wall and served as a crucial barrier in ancient times for the northwest of Beijing.

Juyongguan is one of the most famous and prestigious passes of the Great Wall. It was referred to as the "the first majestic pass in the world" in Ming dynasty records. The name "Juyong" dates back to the Spring and Autumn Period and Warring States Period as recorded in the "Lvshi Chunqiu". The existing Great Wall at Juyongguan was built in the first year of the Hongwu reign (1368 AD) to prevent the return of the Yuan Shun Emperor. General Xu Da and Deputy General Chang Yuchun were dispatched by the court to build the Juyong Pass. Since then, it has been renovated by successive dynasties.

The Juyongguan Great Wall possesses extraordinary grandeur, combining danger, grandeur, and length, showcasing the magnificent ancient Chinese military defense engineering. The two major passes within the scenic area are majestic. The southern pass of the Great Wall is known as the South Pass, while the northern pass is known as the North Pass (Badaling Pass), and the pass city is located in the valley (Guanyao) north of the South Pass. The city has south and north gates, with a wengcheng (a type of small fortress) built at the south gate, and a narrow passage leading into the south and north gates. Mountains tower on both sides of the pass, with lush forests. It was listed as one of the "Eight Views of Beijing" during the Jin Dynasty more than 800 years ago, known as "Juyong Diecui".

In the center of the pass lies a platform made of white marble called the "Yuntai", built in the fifth year of the Yuan Dynasty's Zhizheng era (1345 AD). It was originally the base of a building, upon which the overstreet tower and the Tai'an Temple were successively built, now only the pedestal remains. The carvings on the Yuntai are concentrated in the Juanmen and Juandong. The sides of the Juanmen are engraved with vajra and various animal reliefs, with a golden-winged bird king in the center. The walls of the Juandong are adorned with reliefs of the Four Heavenly Kings and inscriptions of the "Dharani Sutra" and the "Merits of Building Pagodas" in six languages: Chinese, Tibetan, Arabic, Mongolian, Sanskrit, and Tangut.

Address: Juyongguan Village, Nankou Town, Changping District, Beijing

Badaling Great Wall

The Badaling Great Wall is situated in Yanqing District, Beijing, winding and leaping along the rugged mountains of the Yanshan Mountains. Among the thousands of famous passes and treacherous sections of the Great Wall, it boasts the longest history, richest culture, most magnificent architecture, most spectacular scenery, greatest reputation, and most intact preservation. It is an outstanding representative of the Great Wall, and the most essential section of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. Today, the Badaling Great Wall has become a world-renowned tourist destination.

Built along the backbone of the mountains, the Badaling Great Wall appears extremely steep when viewed from the outside, yet gentle on the inside. It is suitable for visiting in all seasons, as beautifully expressed by Mr. Zhao Puchu, who marveled at the marvelous scenery of Badaling throughout the four seasons: "Marveling at the myriad postures and countless charms, the ancient Great Wall stands through spring, summer, autumn, and winter, enduring the passage of time without losing its grandeur."

Address: Exit 58 of G6 Jingzang Expressway, Yanqing District, Beijing

Jimingyi

The Jimingyi City, located in Jimingyi Village, Jimingyi Township, Huailai County, Hebei Province, covers an area of ​​22,000 square meters, with a nearly square plan and a wall perimeter of 1891.8 meters. This ancient city, built in the Ming Dynasty, served as a vital transportation artery and military fortress connecting Beijing to Zhangjiakou. It is one of the few ancient relay stations in China that served both military and postal purposes, and stands as the best-preserved, largest-scale, and most distinctive ancient postal architectural complex in the country. With significant historical, artistic, and scientific value, it is hailed as a "living fossil" in postal archaeology and confidential archaeology.

Within the ancient city, five intersecting roads divide the city into twelve different areas of varying sizes. The layout of buildings inside the city is orderly, with the relay station area situated in the center, horse stables in the northwest, the relay warehouse in the northeast, and the relay road passing through the city's southern outskirts. There are also ancient shops and residences preserved within the city, along with relics such as the relay station office and relay inns.

As a custodian of relay culture, the site hosts a relay museum and a stamp exhibition hall. Notably, at the east gate of the city, visitors can engage in "Yicheng Mandi," where they can write a commemorative message, stamp it with a special commemorative seal, and send it to their future selves or loved ones.

Address: Jimingyi Village, Jimingyi Township, Huailai County, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province

Dajingmen

The Dajingmen Great Wall is situated between the East and West Taiping Mountains in Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province, spanning the Qingshui River. It is a well-known and strategically important pass of the Great Wall, historically contested by military strategists. The Great Wall in the Dajingmen area was constructed in the 21st year of the Ming Dynasty's Chenghua era, while the Dajingmen gate itself was built in the first year of the Shunzhi era of the Qing Dystany. It is the only pass of the Great Wall named after a gate and serves as a landmark of Zhangjiakou City. Inscribed on the lintel are the bold and vigorous characters "大好河山" (da hao he shan), each over a square meter in size, displaying a grand and imposing spectacle.

Known as the "Northern Silk Road," the Zhangku Highway starts from Zhangjiakou, extending to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (formerly known as Kulun), and further into Russia, covering a total length of over 1,400 kilometers. During its heyday, the area around Dajingmen was bustling with numerous shops, and herds of cattle, horses, and camels could be seen outside the city, with goods piled up like mountains. With the opening of the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Railway, trade routes became even more accessible, allowing goods to be transported directly to Zhangjiakou by train. The history of Dajingmen vividly reflects the historical development of the Great Wall from conflict to peaceful coexistence, possessing unique cultural value.

In recent years, leveraging the opportunities brought by the Beijing Winter Olympics, the construction of the Great Wall National Cultural Park, and the development of the Jingzhang Sports and Cultural Tourism Belt, Zhangjiakou has actively promoted new cultural IPs related to the Great Wall. Ancient-style streets such as Mingdekou Street and Yuanbaojin Street near Dajingmen have emerged, revitalizing trade and commerce. Today, standing beneath Dajingmen and gazing upwards, one can see the majestic Great Wall winding along the mountainside. Climbing up the wall, one can enjoy sweeping views of the continuous mountain ranges. Passing through Dajingmen into the distinctive commercial streets, one is immersed in a picturesque blend of ancient and modern flavors.

Address: Intersection of Mingde North Road and Zhenggou Street, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province

Wanquan Right Guard City

From Shanhaiguan to Jiayuguan, the Ming Dynasty Great Wall stretches east and west for thousands of miles, forming the most robust defense line against nomadic tribes in the north. Unlike the Inner Great Wall, where Juyongguan is located, the Outer Great Wall defended by Xuanfu Town, served as the frontline defense against external enemies, guarding the capital. Wanquan Right Guard City, a military outpost under Xuanfu Town, known as the "First Guard of the West of Beijing," is one of the best-preserved Ming Dynasty military fortresses in Hebei and even North China, earning the title of "living fossil" of the Ming Dynasty guard system.

Within Wanquan Guard City, a visit to the Great Wall Guard Museum is highly recommended. Along the Great Wall, at key points such as Jiayuguan, Shanhaiguan, Juyongguan, and Dajingmen, there are Great Wall museums established. The Great Wall Guard Museum is the only museum in the country dedicated to the culture of guard stations along the Great Wall. Leveraging the rich resources of Wanquan Right Guard City, the museum showcases the military defense system along the Ming Dynasty Great Wall, presenting the culture of Ming Dynasty guard stations and the changes in politics, economy, culture, and society over 600 years in Wanquan Right Guard City.

In the Ming Dynasty, Wanquan Right Guard City endured numerous battles but was never breached. By the end of the Ming Dynasty and the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, as the frontier situation eased, the military defense function of Wanquan Right Guard City gradually weakened, and its economy began to flourish. During the Qing Dynasty, with the weakening of the defensive function of the Great Wall, trade and cultural exchanges between the Mongols and the Han people flourished. Mongolian merchants brought livestock from the grasslands to Wanquan Right Guard City to exchange for food, cloth, and other necessities, gradually making it the most prosperous commercial city in the surrounding area. However, after hundreds of years, apart from the sturdy city walls standing tall, most of the ancient buildings in Wanquan Right Guard City have disappeared into the river of history.

Since 2022, Wanquan District has been using traditional construction methods to restore the original appearance of the main living areas and streets of Wanquan Right Guard City. Today, this ancient guard city, with a history of hundreds of years, has been rejuvenated. It not only retains the "nostalgia" of local residents but also presents a "living" guard city to visitors from afar. Visitors can immerse themselves in the ancient city streets, experiencing traditional performances, teahouses, vinegar workshops, oil mills, and other places, getting a close look at ancient life.

Address: Wanquan District, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province

Translator: TANG Yuxin

Reviewer: JIANG Wenyi