Beijing Great Walls: Badaling Great Wall Mutianyu Great Wall Simatai Great Wall Jinshanling Great Wall
Juyongguan Pass Huanghuacheng Jiankou Gubeikou Shuiguan
Great Wall in Beijing stretches for about 600 km (373 miles) from east to west with most of the walls constructed during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). The Great Wall has become the must-see attraction in Beijing.
Beijing Great Wall Map
According to research, 10 Great Walls of nine states or dynasties went through Beijing: Yan Great Wall of the Warring States Period (476BC - 221BC), Qin-dynasty Great Wall, Han-dynasty Great Wall, Jin-dynasty Great wall, Northern Qi Great Wall of the Southern and Northern Dynasties (386 - 589), Northern Qi Chongcheng Great Wall of the Southern and Northern Dynasties, Northern Zhou Great Wall of the Southern and Northern Dynasties, Sui-dynasty Great Wall, Tang-dynasty Great Wall and Ming-dynasty Great Wall. Most of the Great Walls in Beijing were the Ming-dynasty Great Wall and only a few relics of Northern Qi Great Wall can be found.
In 1368, Zhu Yuanzhang defeated the Mongolians and established the Ming Dynasty in Beijing. To defend against the Mongolians in the north and the Nüzhen people in the northeast, the Ming Dynasty government started to rebuild and renovate the Great Walls based on the walls of earlier dynasties. It is recorded that during the 276 years of the Ming Dynasty, the Great Walls were reconstructed and mended over 20 times. The Great Walls in Beijing were mostly completed during this period, and were very firm and strong because of the crucial location, near the capital of the dynasty.
Badaling Great Wall: Known as the most famous Great Wall in China, Badaling Great Wall is the must-see attraction of any tour of China. It is regarded as the elite part of Great Wall of China and the outstanding representation of Ming-dynasty Great Wall. From 1505 to 1582, the Badaling Great Wall was renovated four times to a complete defence system of forts, castles, guards and beacon towers.
Juyongguan Great Wall: Juyongguan Great Wall is located about 60 km (32 miles) from Beijing City. As one of the most important passes along the Great Wall, it has a history of over 2,000 years and was finally completed in the Ming Dynasty. This section is famous for not only its significant location but the gorgeous scenery of rolling mountains, green forest and limpid streams.
Mutianyu Great Wall: With a history of 600 years, Mutianyu Great Wall was constructed by Xu Da, a famous general of the Ming Dynasty. After Zhu Yuanzhang established the Ming Dynasty, he ordered the construction of many important Great Walls, and Mutianyu Great Wall was one of these sections. Mutianyu Great Wall connects Juyongguan Great Wall and Badaling Great Wall in the west, and Gubeikou Great Wall and Jinshanling Great Wall in the East, stretching along the steep mountain ridges of the Yanshan Mountain.
Simatai Great Wall: Simatai Great Wall was initially built in 1368 and renovated between 1568 and 1574 by Qi Jiguang, a famous general in the Ming Dynasty. It is known for its steep walls, fantastic structures and crucial position. Simatai Great Wall is also famous for the original architecture of the Ming Dynasty.
Gubeikou Great Wall: Situated 125 km (78 miles) north of Beijing City, Gubeikou Great Wall is the important path between Beijing and the grassland in Inner Mongolia, and one of the most significant passes of the Chinese Great Wall. Gubeikou Great Wall was initially built between 550 and 559 during the Southern and Northern Dynasties, but was destroyed by erosion. The present Gubeikou Great Wall was all built in the Ming Dynasty. The broken walls and ruins in Gubeikou show the trace of history, and the significance of Great Wall protection.
Jinshanlling Great Wall: Jinshanling Great Wall was first built in 1368 by Xu Da, and renovated in 1567 by Qi Jiguang and Tan Lun, a Ming Dynasty officer. This section totals 10.5 km (6.5 miles) from Longlingkou in the west to Wangjing Tower in the east. It is the best-preserved Ming-dynasty Great Wall. Jinshanling Great Wall is also well-known for the picturesque scenery.
Huanghuacheng Water Great Wall: As the name indicates, Huanghuacheng Water Great Wall hovers along mountain ridges and circles around the Haoming Lake. You will see the unique scene of water separating the Great Wall into three parts, and the wall partly hidden and partly visible above the lake. The twisted roots and gnarled branches in the Chestnut Garden of the Ming Dynasty will also impress you .
Shuiguan Great Wall (Water Pass Great Wall): Shuiguan Great Wall was constructed in the Ming Dynasty, supervised by General Qi Jiguang. It is called Shuiguan (Water Pass) because the Arrow Tower of the Great Wall also functions as a water gate. Built along a steep valley, Shuiguan Great Wall is also famous for its precipitousness.
Jiankou Great Wall: Located about 10 km (6 miles) west of Mutianyu Great Wall, Jiankou Great Wall is one of the most dangerous sections of the Ming-dynasty Great Wall. It is also the favorite of most photographers for the terrain is rich in variety and rhythm. You will see the spectacular view of Great Wall built on dangerous peaks and steep cliffs in Jiankou.
Many Great Walls in Beijing are not very famous or well-developed but keep their original looks, such as the Lupiguan Great Wall, Bailingguan Great Wall, Shixiaguan Great Wall, and Yanhecheng Great Wall, which are best destinations for Great Wall lovers as well.
