The Great Wall of China at Gubeikou Section

The Gubeikou section of the Great Wall is the most complete Great Wall section in Chinese history and it consists of parts that were built during the Northern Qi and Ming dynasties. It was a very important junction, especially during the Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The Great Wall at Gubeikou has never been restored, so it still retains its original appearance. You will sense its glorious history when you are standing in front of it.

Features

  • Totally wild: This section has never been restored, so it is the most authentic Great Wall section in Beijing. You can witness the great historic architecture there.
  • Challenging section: This section is totally wild, so you need to be in good physical condition and take enough equipment, such as alpenstocks, food, drink, and a map.
  • No crowds and quiet: Compared with the Badaling, Mutianyu, and Simatai sections of the Great Wall, this section is very quiet and you can escape from the crowds.
  • Historic and original: This section witnessed lots of battles throughout Chinese history and has retained its original looks. It's rare to experience such a strong historic atmosphere at the Great Wall.

The Great Wall of the Northern Qi and Ming Dynasties

The Great Wall at Gubeikou can be divided into two sections: the Great Wall of the Northern Qi Dynasty and the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty. Each dynasty had a different architectural style.

The Great Wall at Gubeikou in the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644)

The first military defense of Gubeikou is located at the north of the Great Wall at Gubeikou. It is not only the most solid and spectacular section among the Ming Dynasty's Great Wall sections but is also the most complete section, which has retained its original appearance from the Ming Dynasty. This section is 40 kilometers long. There are 172 watchtowers, 14 smoke piers, 16 passes, three water passes, and six city passes. From its west to its east are, respectively: Badalouzi, Huangyugou, Wohushan, Longevity Hill, Panlongshan, Wulituo, Jinshanling, and Simatai.

The Great Wall at Gubeikou in the Northern Qi Dynasty (550–577)

This section is 20 kilometers from the Badalouzi section of the Great Wall to the Great Wall at Simatai. It is located to the south of the Ming Dynasty's Gubeikou section and was the second military defense of the Great Wall at Gubeikou in ancient times.  A famous general during the Ming Dynasty, named Qi Jiguang, restored this section in 1569.

He preserved the Great Wall section built in the Northern Qi Dynasty and added a layer of wall tiles based on the exterior of previous walls. This section was also known as the Double Dragon Great Wall and played an important defensive role in Chinese history.

Two Parts of the Gubeikou Section of the Great Wall

The Great Wall at Gubeikou is composed of two different parts: the Wohushan section and the Panlongshan section.

The Wohushan Section

Wohushan is a vivid description that derives from its shape, which looks like a crouching tiger. It is 4.8 kilometers long and its most famous highlight is Sister Tower. There are two towers resembling two pretty girls standing there hand in hand, hence the name.

The Panlongshan Section

The Panlongshan section of the Great Wall at Gubeikou is located between the Simatai and Wohushan sections. It is 5 kilometers long and has 19 watchtowers. Two sections are regarded as the highlights of the Panlongshan section: General Tower and 24-Eye Tower.

  • General Tower

General Tower is situated at the highest point of the Panlongshan section and was the location of the command office in the past. It is a square sculpture, which has four windows for shooting arrows on the eastern and western sides, and three windows on the northern and southern sides.

  • 24-Eye Tower

24-Eye Tower is a square structure, which has two floors. There are six windows on each side, making a total of 24 windows, hence its name. However, during the war with the Japanese, 24-Eye Tower exploded and only half of it remains.

Travel Tips

  • Chinese: 古北口 Gŭběikŏu /goo-bay-koh
  • Location: Gubeikou Town, Miyun County, Beijing; it's 146 kilometers from Beijing
  • Opening hours: all day
  • Facilities: none
  • Best times: spring and autumn
  • Admission fee: 25 yuan for the Wohushan and Panlongshan sections, 40 yuan for the Simatai section, 65 yuan for the Jinshanling section

How to Get to the Great Wall at Gubeikou?

  • Way 1

Take bus980 at the Dongzhimen transport hub, and then take a bus to Chengde, Luanping, Weichang, or Fengning. Get off at Gubeikou toll station. If you are worried about missing the station, try to ask someone for help.

  • Way 2
  • Take bus 980 at Dongzhimen Bus Station, and get off at Miyun Gulou Station.
  • Walk for about 15 minutes until you reach the bus station that accommodates bus 25.
  • Take bus 25. The service for this bus is very intermittent so you may need to wait for a long time.
  • If you don’t have the patience to wait for bus 25, you can take a small minibus that may stop and offer to take you. It costs about 15 yuan per person.

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