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 Great 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 Great Wall, Jiaoshan Great Wall, 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 Great Wall is the section where the Great 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 Great Wall until you come to Hebei Province.
The Great Wall in Zhangjiakou City is the highlight of the Great Wall in Hebei Province. Located in the northwestern part of Hebei 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.
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Related Link:
Hebei Travel Guide
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Q & A on Great Wall in Hebei
1.
Sep. 17,2009 03:26 Reply
Ms.jade said:
I'll be in Chengde 2D1N. Which is the nearest Great wall section from Chengde? Is it possible in the morning I visit Putuozongcheng & The Eight Outer temples; and in the afternoon for Great Wall? How can I travel to the nearest Great Wall from Chengde - by bus or train? How long will be the journey?
Also, can I make it back to Beijing in the evening? By train or bus? Thank you.
Sep. 17,2009 04:23
Mr.Charles replied:
Visit Jinshanling Great Wall, it is located in Luanping County in Chengde City. You can take bus to Luanping County at Chengde West Bus Station, this bus runs between 06:40 and 17:00, and you can take a taxi to Jinshanling in Luanping County. The transportation is indeed complicated and wastes a lot of time. So you'd better go to the wall on the next day. Because if you start to the wall in the afternoon, it is too late when you arrive the wall. You'd better visit these places in two days.
And go to Jinshanling from Beijing is easier, you can see the transportation ways in this page:
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/china_great_wall/scene/beijing/jinshanling.htm and see other travelers' real experience, and you will know one day visit is not a good idea.
2.
Jun. 20,2009 20:21 Reply
Mr.Simon said:
Can I visit the First Pass, Laolongtou, and Temple of Meng Jiangnv in one day? Are they very close to each other?
Jun. 21,2009 02:24
Mr.Bernard replied:
Yes, you can visit them in one day. They are located very close to each other.
3.
Mar. 2,2009 17:22 Reply
Ms.Cho(China) said:
people were buried in the wall, and soem were buried alive because they did not work hard or fast enough. The wall was carried out for many dynastys, to keep out, originally, the Huns and the Mongals. The wall is called the largest graveyard by the chinese culture. There are many different parts to the wall, too. Not all are joined, however, most became joined over time.
Mar. 4,2009 13:11
Mr.smart(the can) replied:
if the wall had dead people in the wall it would fall
Jun. 10,2009 08:49
Mr.greatwallforum(USA ) replied:
That claim has never been proven, either by evidence or by documentation, and it flies in the face of the very careful construction techniques used especially by the Ming Dynasty.
4.
Mar. 20,2009 20:47 Reply
Mr.Alilin(Philippines) said:
great wall of china is nice to see it can seen even in the universe
Mar. 24,2009 17:06
Mr.PIEMAN!!!!!!!!(PieRd...) replied:
ehh.... not through the universe like just about at the moon...
5.
Mar. 23,2009 20:13 Reply
Ms.maiya(new york) said:
its takes time to walk on it because it has a lot of stairs .....