Zijingguan
is on the banks of the Juma River in Heibei Province, vaunted as
the first impregnable pass south of Beijing. From the Pass, the
Great
Wall extends northeast to another famous pass-- Juyongguan,
northwest of Beijing. The pass was first fortified in the Western
Han dynasty (206B.C.- 24 AD). A l,000-strong garrison was set up
there early in the Ming dynasty. In 1491 an expansion project reinforced
the fortifications. The remains we see today are mostly from that
time.
The
most important role of Zijingguan
was in the security of Beijing. Anyone casting a covetous eye on
the central plains from the north would have two choices - to penetrate
the Great Wall either directly at Juyongguan
Pass, or by a roundabout route here at Zijingguan.
While Zijingguan was no
less important than Juyongguan
strategically, it was, however, much more difficult to defend because
of the configuration of the terrain. Not only are there many open
valleys on both sides of the pass, but the nearby Jumahe River flows
between flat banks, and in the dry season it becomes easily fordable.
Zijingguan
is now in ruins, but one can still picture the grandeur and magnificence
of the fortress in its prime. It was four kilometres in circumference
and founded on stone slabs. Its ten-metre-high walls were also built
of stones, but faced with bricks. Once there were eight gates. The
still-standing north gate has an inlaid white marble slab above
its archway. The name of the Pass "Zijingguan"
was carved into the marble slab in one-metre-tall Chinese characters.
The inscription dates back to 1589.
Taveller's tip:
| a. |
In 2004, rather than restoration,
a replica of the original structure of the Zijingguan
Pass was built. Fortunately, the original marble with the
name of Zijinguan
is still well-preserved there to remind people of the grandeur
and magnificence of the fortress in its prime. |
| b. |
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. |
Other Hiking Sections on the
Great
Wall:
|
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