52.Great Wall in Hebei

- November 16, 2014

Great Wall in Hebei

Notice: According to the national news, 3 Japanese tourists were dead in an accident because of the blizzard when visiting the Great Wall in Hebei Province. Therefore, tourists should pay attention to the weather forecast of the destinations before travelling there. Be careful of the extreme weather!

The First Pass under Heaven

Hebei Great Wall Photos and Maps

Hebei Province boasts for having the longest, the best preserved and the highest architectural quality of the Great Wall in China. The walls of the Warring States, Qin, Han, Northern Wei, Northern Qi, Jin and Ming Dynasties are well preserved here. The wall of the Ming Dynasty, with more than 200 passes, zigzags over 1,243 miles through Hebei Province. Dozens of essential sections are famous to the world, such as the Laolongtou, Jiaoshan, Shanhaiguan Pass, Xifengkou Gateway, Zijingguan Pass and many others.

Shanhaiguan Pass holds the strategic route from north China to north-east China. Jiaoshan Mountain is the first mountain the Great Wall climbs in Hebei Province. The Laolongtou is the section where the wall meets the sea, thus it is compared to the head of this giant dragon. Xifengkou Gateway, now submerged by the construction of Panjiakou Reservoir, likewise possessed a strategically important position in history as did Zijingguan Pass where many famous battles took place.

Beijing - the capital since the Ming Dynasty - is surrounded by Heibei. The engineers of the section of the Great Wall in this area were very selective in constructional materials and paid a great deal of attention to the wall's quality. You cannot taste the majesty and might of the wall until you come to Hebei Province.

Hebei Great Wall map

The Great Wall in Zhangjiakou City is the highlight of the Great Wall in Hebei Province. Located in the northwestern part of the province, Zhangjiakou City is a famous historical city, a military town and a treaty port in the northern frontier. During a long period of time, it is the frontier location where the nomad civilization meets farming culture. According to the data, over 50 famous wars and historical events have taken place in Zhangjiakou City. At present, there are about 200 sites of ancient battlefields, fortresses, castles and army's offices.

Dajing Gate: It was built to hold the northern gate of the capital. It is the important line of communication between the frontier area and the inner land. It is one of the most famous passes along the Great Wall. In the past, at the interval of every 200 to 300 meters, there was a vigorous beacon tower. Today, the simple and massive gate is still the important road leading to the northern part of China. In order to protect it, Zhangjiakou City Government has made full restoration and comprehensive development to it. At present it is the provincial cultural relic protection unit and a hot summer scenic resort. In the peaceful atmosphere, the gate opens widely to welcome more business relations with various countries and districts.

Dushikou Fortress: translated as Single Stone Fortress, it is the most northern pass of Great Wall in Xuanfu Prefecture in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Located to the north of Chicheng County, it is named after a big rock standing before the pass. It is the turning point where the outer Ming Great Wall changes the direction from northwest to southeast and also one of the most dangerous passes in that time.