Gubeikou, situated in Beijing's
Miyun County, is 125 kilometers away from Beijing proper. It has long
been a town of military significance and an important passage to the
capital city. The Yanshan Range winds from east to west and is cut off
at Gubeikou, forming a natural narrow pass here. To the west of the
pass are the Chaohe River and the Wohu Mountain, and to the east is
the Panlong Mountain. From ancient times, Gubeikou has served as a route
of strategic importance, linking the southern and northern areas of
the Yanshan Range. As early as 2,500 years ago, a fortification was
built here and was constantly reinforced throughout the following dynasties.
The main part of today's Gubeikou Wall was constructed under the supervision
of Xu Da, a noted general in the Ming Dynasty. It runs for more than
20 kilometers and consists of four sections: Wohushan, Panlongshan,
Jinshanling, and Simatai. It has 143 beacon towers, each positioned
at an average interval of 156 meters. The nearest two are only 30 meters
apart. The inside of these towers varies in design. While some have
a flat ceiling, others either have an arched ceiling, a domed ceiling,
or an octagonal, painted ceiling. Each tower has two floors, six archways,
and ten arched doors, allowing garrisoned soldiers to advance and retreat
freely. The towers are also different in size. The largest one can accommodate
a garrison of 100 soldiers, and the smallest one a garrison of 10 soldiers.
The towers often have one to six portholes.
The Gubeikou Great Wall was built along the precipitous mountain ranges,
rising and falling at various sections. Simatai, built on a cliff, is
extremely steep. A famous Great Wall specialist said: "The Great
Wall is the best of Chinese architecture, and Simatai is the best of
the Great Wall."
Getting
there:
You can take the long-distance coach at Dongzhimen bus station to Miyun
County first, then change mini-bus to Gubeikou.
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Getting
there: 
The main part of today's Gubeikou Wall was constructed under the supervision
of Xu Da, a noted general in the Ming Dynasty. It runs for more than
20 kilometers and consists of four sections: Wohushan, Panlongshan,
Jinshanling, and Simatai. It has 143 beacon towers, each positioned
at an average interval of 156 meters. The nearest two are only 30 meters
apart. The inside of these towers varies in design. While some have
a flat ceiling, others either have an arched ceiling, a domed ceiling,
or an octagonal, painted ceiling. Each tower has two floors, six archways,
and ten arched doors, allowing garrisoned soldiers to advance and retreat
freely. The towers are also different in size. The largest one can accommodate
a garrison of 100 soldiers, and the smallest one a garrison of 10 soldiers.
The towers often have one to six portholes.