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The Great
Wall at Jiankou,
Located in the district of Huairou and 80 kilometres north-east
of Beijing, is completely in its original state, dating from the
Ming period (late 14th century). Exploring these more authentic
fragments of the wall is a great experience, however, it could be
dangerous, as a lot of steep steps are crumbling. Although this
section of the wall is well worth seeing, it's not open to tourists
and hiking along the wall at Jiankou is banned to ensure its preservation.
Many
people learn about the Jiankou
section from illustrated books about the Great
Wall. One scene is known as "Ying Fei Dao Yang" (the
eagles have to fly upwards over a high tower), so named because
a watchtower was erected on the highest peak, and eagles/hawks often
perched on it. Another one is "Heavenly Ladder" - a flight
of steps ascending almost vertically. These steps are so narrow
that only one person can climb up at a time. The massive and well
preserved watchtower is the best spot for taking photos and watching
the sunrise. At the foot of the wall a couple of quiet and peaceful
villages lie in the valley.
Taveller's tip:
| a. |
A side tour to the Western Qing
Tomb(first built in 1730 during Qing Dynasty) is recommended.
The Tomb, where four emperors are buried, is located about
35km south of Zijinguan.
It is now a very beautiful and quiet park. The entrance fee
is RMB90/person . |
| b. |
In 2004, rather than restoration, a replica
of the original sight of Zijingguan
Pass was built. Fortunately, the original marble with the
name of Zijinguan
is still well-preserved there to remind people the grandeur
and magnificence of the fortress in its prime. |
Other Hiking Sections on the
Great
Wall:
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