Chinese Name: 居庸关长城 (jū yōng guān cháng chéng)
Admission Fee: CNY 45 (Apr. 1 to Oct.31); CNY 40 (Nov.1 to Mar.31)
Opening Hours: 08:00 - 17:00 (Apr. 1 to Oct.31); 08:30 - 16:00 (Nov.1 to Mar.31)
Best Visiting Time: Spring and autumn, especially September and October
Location: An ancient pass on the Great Wall, Juyongguan Pass Great Wall is situated in the Guangou Valley 20 km (12.4 miles) north of Changping District and about 60 km (37.3 miles) away from downtown Beijing.
Introduction: Renowned as 'the First Pass under Heaven' since the ancient times, Juyongguan Pass Great Wall occupies a highly strategic position, serving as the northern gateway to Beijing. It was known as one of the 'Four Great Passes in western Beijing' in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), together with Zijingguan, Guguan, Daomaguan. The pass is shaped like a circle, built with complete supporting facilities which include a city tower, watch tower and semi-circular enclosure between the outer and inner city gates. In the pass can be found a government mansion, an academy, a temple, business street and storehouses, as well as a temporary imperial place for meeting the emperor or king. Additionally, Juyongguan Pass is surrounded by dense green forest and magnificent mountains, with clear flowing streams. It was once included in 'Eight Sights in Yanjing' in the Jin Dynasty (1115 - 1234).
History: Historical records have it that Juyongguan Pass was originally built in the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220) and was rebuilt in the Northern Wei, Liao and Jin dynasties later. In the Yuan Dynasty (1271 - 1368), it served as the major route from the Dadu (Beijing) to Shangdu (Duolun County of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region). Since the emperor often passed by, a temporary imperial palace, temples, gardens and other buildings were erected in the pass. The existing Yuntai (Cloud Platform) was just the base foundation of a cross-street pagoda built then. In the Ming Dynasty, Juyongguan became an important military town. Zhu Yuanzhang, establisher of the Ming Dynasty, sent General Xu Da and Chang Yuchun to build the frontier pass city. Thereafter, the largest construction was during the reign of Jingtai in the Ming Dynasty, which made the constructions and related facilities the most complete.
Scenic Spots in Juyongguan: With the Yuntai Stone Carvings as the representative, many characteristic scenic spots are worth visiting in Juyongguan Pass, including Mashen Temple, Die Cui Academy, North and South Pass City Tower, Water Gate, bronze Statue of Zhan Tianyou, Yu Guan Tian Qian (Yuguan Natural Moat) and Patron God of the City Temple.
Juyongguan Transportation:
A. Take Bus No. 345 (Express) from Deshengmen to Shahe, and then transfer to Bus No. 68 (Changping).
B. Take Bus No. 883 from Deshengmen to Nankou Dongjie, and then transfer to Bus No. 68 (Changping).
C. Take Beijing Subway Line 13 to Longze Station, and then transfer to Bus No. 68 (Changping).
D. During the peak season (April to October), there are special tourist buses from Qianmen, Dongdaqiao and Beijing Zoo to Juyongguan pass.
Dining: Jiuxianju Restaurant: Situated beside the Cuiping Lake at the foot of Juyongguan Pass, it specializes in authentic farmhouse dishes, with complete service facilities and good environment.
Juyongguan Great Wall Old Hostel: A four-star foreign related hotel, it is located at the foot of Juyongguan Pass, with the Badaling Express Way nearby. Featuring Sichuan and Cantonese food, the hostel also offers western breakfasts and self-service cocktails and barbeque.
Accommodation: Juyongguan Great Wall Old Hostel is the nearest hotel to Juyongguan. it not only provides a great variety of food, but it also has over 100 guest rooms and meeting rooms, as well as all sorts of entertainment facilities, such as a sauna, bowling, billiards, KTV, tea house and bar. Closer to the Changping District, there are many hotels, hostels and guest houses for visitors to choose from.
Tourist Service Center: Located in the courtyard of Hucao Xingshu at No. 4 Parking Lot, it provides visitors with many free services for free, including information, a showing of a film of Juyongguan Pass, resting place, books and magazines, umbrellas, wheelchairs, walking sticks, baby and child carriages, radio broadcast to find any lost visitor, as well as lost-and-found service.
Recommended Juyongguan Tour Route: North and South Pass City Tower and Shen Ji Armory → Guan Yu Temple → Die Cui Academy → Yuntai → Hu Cao Xing Shu → North and South Pass City Tower and Shen Ji Armory → Mashen Temple
Popular Beijing Tour Routes with Juyongguan:
A. Dingling Tomb of the Ming Tombs → Juyongguan → Zhaoling Museum
B. Juyongguan → China Science and Technology Museum → Bird's Nest and Water Cube
C. Juyongguan → Beijing Aquarium → Beijing Zoo
D. Juyongguan → Bbadaling → Ming Tombs
