Huangyaguan Great Wall runs on the ridge of mountains to the
north of Ji County, Tianjin. Part of the cultural heritage of the
world, it was initially built in Northern Qi Dynasty (550-577) and
later renovated and lengthened in Sui Dynasty (581-618) and again
during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The ancient Great Wall of this
section had a length of 42 kilometers (about 26 miles), but it
suffered extensive damage throughout its long history. In 1987, it
was repaired and began to receive tourists.
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The Huangyaguan Great Wall possesses many features including
antiquity, grandness, steepness and gracefulness, and it is
regarded as an 'Impregnable Pass' in Tianjin. This section is the
longest restored section of the Great Wall with a length of 3052
meters (about 3337 yards). In 1990 it was named one of the top
scenic places in a list of the ten most appealing sceneries to
visit in Tianjin.
The Huangyaguan Great Wall has two sections: Huangyaguan and
Taipingzhai.
Guancheng (Pass City) is the center of the Huangyaguan section.
Guancheng was itself a perfect defensive project and it is also
where Bagua Village (The Eight Diagrams Village) is situated. Bagua
Village was built in the Ming Dynasty according to the Eight
Diagrams created by Fuxi (an ancient tribal leader). It is easy
enough to get in, but getting out is another matter as you can
easily find yourself in a dead end or just circling around with no
obvious way out. It's certainly amazing enough to encourage
tourists to have a try!
Taipingzhai is located to the southeast of Huangyaguan. Guafu
Tower (Widow Tower) is seated in the west of it. Guafu Tower is a
square watchtower. It was said that during the Ming Dynasty 12
widows of frontier soldiers donated their pension and built this
tower. People named it Widow Tower as a memorial to these women and
their spirit.
In the reparation during the 1980s, more tourist sites were
built at the foot of the Huangyaguan Great Wall in Bagua Village,
including Huangyaguan Great Wall Museum and the Stele Forest.
Huangyaguan Great Wall Museum is the first Great Wall museum in
China. In the showroom, tourists can learn about the historical
development of the Great Wall. Also, the arms and everyday ware of
Qi Jiguang (a general in Ming Dynasty and also a national hero) and
his soldiers are displayed. The Stele Forest is the biggest in
northern China. Stele inscriptions show the calligraphy of Chairman
Mao, some generals of New China and modern calligraphers.
Since 2000, Huangyaguan holds its annual marathon race. More
than 1400 people from over 30 countries enthusiastically take part
in this race every year. It greatly enhances the reputation of the
Huangyaguan Great Wall as an indispensable section of this national
monument. Every year the Huangyaguan Great Wall receives more and
more tourists from all over the world.
Travel tips:
Admission fee: 40 yuan
Opening hours: 08:00 to 16:00
(travelchinaguide.com July 25, 2007)
