During a visit to Shijiazhuang I had the chance to visit the Great Wall Pass of Guguan in the mountainous region between the Hebei and Shanxi province.

Guguan is conveniently located close to the express way between Shijiazhuang and Taiyuan and can thus be easily reached from Shijiazhuang.

According to the local guide the Guguan section has been restored by the locals without support from the local government. Most noteworthy is the pass itself and not so much the actual wall. Although repaired the gate tower seems fairly original and show a very interesting layout. Before entering the gate it’s possible to see a collection of stone stelae, however this is not very interesting and unless highly interested in Chinese calligraphy one should continue through the gate.

An interesting detail at the gate is the original pavement with clear sign of wear from the many wagons passing trough the pass during its many years of history. The pass comprise of two gate towers connected by a double half circular wall, meaning that the enemy would find himself surrounded by high walls on both sides if he would succeed in breaking trough the front gate and he would still have to break trough yet another gate to successfully break through the pass.

From the back gate it is possible to climb to the wall and continue either north or south. Going north the wall passes the express way and follows the proximity of a monastery. From here it raises steeply towards the top of the mountains. At the top two watchtowers have been rebuild, although the interior of one of them is not completely finished. Close to here it’s possible to see some of the original Great Wall but not much is left but a pile of white stones stretching north towards Niangziguan.

Entrance price: 20 RMB

Date of visit: March 24, 2008