There is a saying comparing the Great Wall to a giant dragon, with the head at the Shanhaiguan Pass and the end at the Jiayuguan Pass. 'So where is the heart of the dragon?' you may ask. 'Zhenbeitai, also called Pacify the North Tower in English', definitely, either because of its location or because of its military importance, Zhenbeitai all fully deserves the title of 'the Heart of the Great Wall'.
Zhenbeitai Tower in Yulin, Shaanxi
Located three miles north of Yulin City in Shaanxi Province and lying at the top of Mt. Hongshan, Zhenbeitai Great Wall is the biggest city terrace on the Great Wall. Built in the year 1607 in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), it originally served as an observation post for maintaining order at the Horse Trade Market where the Han people and the Nomadic people carried on business transactions. The tower measures over 98 feet tall and has four levels. There are stone sidesteps leading to the higher levels. The whole tower is built by laying grey bricks. There is a stone plaque mounted on the arch door of the second floor, inscribed with two big characters 'Xiang Ming', meaning 'facing the brightness'. This was written by Tu Zongjun, the provincial governor at that time.
Standing on Zhenbeitai Tower and taking a panoramic view, the landscapes are different on the inner and outer sides of the Great Wall. To the north of the Great Wall is continuous desert, presenting a lonely and desolate prospect. To the south of the great Wall are areas of growing woods, part of the 'Three North' (the north-east China, north China and north-west China) sand-break forests, presenting a scene vibrant with life.
0.6 miles southwest of Zhenbeitai, is another famous scenic spot - Hong Shi Xia (Red Rock Gorges), where inscriptions are carved on cliffs. These two attractive places of interest are regarded as the symbols of Yulin City.
Tip: You can take a taxi from Yulin City to Zhenbeitai, or you can take the tourist bus or bus No.3 at Guangji Mansion in Yulin, and get off at Zhenbeitai Great Wall.
| Admission Fee: | CNY 10 |
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Travelers' Voices on Zhenbeitai (Pacify-the-North Tower)
1.
Jun. 22,2009 02:25 Reply
Mr.Smile said:
Zhen Bei Tai is a nice place to learn Chiese history. Stand on the terrace and watch the desert is a nice feel.
2.
Jun. 18,2009 23:19 Reply
Mr.KOLORAH(India) said:
Hi,
I want to visit Great Wall of China from Bhutan or from Nepal.
How can I go there through Nathula Pass.
Regds....Shamim
Jun. 19,2009 21:48
Ms.Evelyn(China) replied:
The Nathula Pass is only a pass for the trade between China and India. People are not allowed to enter or exit China through this pass. Even if you enter China throug this pass successfully,you will be in Tibet. It's still far from the Great Wall. Tibet is in the southwest of China. But the Great Wall relics only can be seen in the North China. You can see the following page of the locations of the Great Wall:
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/china_great_wall/scene/
3.
Mar. 21,2009 07:45 Reply
Ms.13yearoldfactgirl(nothin) said:
im doing research on it and i found interesting facts.it was built for protection against battle.some empror(i forgot his name) got all his men and gaurds to build it.it took a long time but it was done.
Mar. 21,2009 23:32
Mr.a replied:
yep, it was the first king of China