Juyongguan Great Wall

Introduction to Juyongguan Great Wall （居庸关长城）

Juyongguan Great Wall or Juyong Pass is a mountain pass located in the Changping District of Beijing. Situated in a valley surrounded by mountains, Juyongguan Great Wall has long been a military stronghold. As early as the Spring and Autumn Period (770BC-476BC) and Warring States Period (476BC-221BC), the Yan State built fortifications here. 

In the dynasties Northern and Southern (386-589), this section was linked to the Great Wall of China. This pass served as a natural barrier to the capital of Yuan (1271-1368) and Ming (1368-1644) Dynasties. Therefore, just after the founding of his reign, Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty, ordered the pass to be rebuilt to protect the borders from intrusions of the Mongolian tribe. Many fierce battles were fought at Juyongguan Great Wall.

The pass had many different names during former Chinese dynasties. However, the name "Juyongguan" was used by more than three dynasties. It was first used in the Qin Dynasty when Emperor Qinshihuang ordered the building of the Great Wall. Juyongguan Great Wall was connected to the Great Wall in the Southern and Northern Dynasties era.

In the middle of the Juyongguan Great Wall and Guangou Valley, there is the Cloud Platform gate, also known as the "Crossing Street Tower". It was built in 1342 during the Yuan Dynasty, and made of white marble with a height of 9.5 meters. There were white pagodas at the top the platform, giving it the name of "Crossing Street Tower". They were each destroyed in the transitional period between the late Yuan and early Ming Dynasties. In the early Ming Dynasty, a Buddhist Tai'an Temple hall was built on the platform. It was destroyed in 1702 during the Qing Dynasty.

Juyongguan Great Wall is not just a military stronghold, but also a beautiful scenic spot. Around the pass, beautiful flowers and trees cover the mountains. A splendid picture! As early as the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234), it was named as one of the 8 best sceneries of Beijing. 

Location

Juyong Pass, Changping District, Beijing

Travel Information

Admission Fee: 45 Yuan (Apr-Oct), 40 Yuan (Nov-Mar)
Opening Hours: 8:00AM - 5:00PM (Apr-Oct), 8:30AM - 4:30PM (Nov-Mar)
Best Time to Visit: summer and autumn

Main Sights

Cloud Platform, Water Gate, Ancient Cannon

Transportation 

1.Take S2 Train from Beijing North Train Station then get off at Badaling Railway Station. At Badaling Railway Station take the free shuttle bus service to Badaling Great Wall Bus Station. Once you arrive at Badaling take bus 879 directly to Juyongguan Great Wall.

Travel Tips 

1. Try to avoid visiting during summer holidays and Golden Week in October.
2. Avoid visiting Juyongguan Great Wall during wet and rainy weather as the stairs will be slippery making it difficult and dangerous to hike.

Tour including Visiting Juyongguan Great Wall

Beijing Great Wall 5 Days Tour