In the weekend I had the opportunity to visit Huangyaguan (黄崖关) for the second time, about a year after my first visit. Huangyaguan is located in the northern part of Tianjin municipality close to Jixian. From Jixian follow S101 north trough the mountains for about 30 kilometres to Huangyuguan.
Upon arrival at Huangyaguan it’s possible to enter the Great Wall at the fortress of Huangyaguan or for 10 RMB a small bus can take you to Taipingzhai (太平寨) from where it’s possible to walk back to Huangyaguan in about one and a half hour.
Close to the entrance at Taipingzhai a statue of Qi Jiguang, a Ming general famed for his struggle against Japanese pirates and for his repair of the Great Wall between Shanhaiguan and Beijing, following his return to Beijing in 1567.
From the entrance at Taipingzhai the wall continues southeast before it ends at the foot of a steep cliff, which acts like a natural barrier. From here it’s a 2 kilometres walk back to Huangyaguan with a magnificent view from the top of the mountains.
The Great Wall at Huangyaguan, meaning Yellow Cliff Pass, was first build during 557 AD and later repaired using bricks during the Ming dynasty (1368 – 1644). The wall was repaired again for three years starting in 1984 and opened for the public in 1987.
The Great Wall at Huangyaguan is a strange mix of bricks and stones, with sections of bricks and stones alternating along the entire wall in this area. Not sure if this was the original configuration or just an attempt to show how the wall looked during different periods of its history. It seems a bit strange that they would construct the wall using the well known bricks in some parts and not at others.
A famous tower at the Taipingzhai/Huangyaguan Great Wall is the Widows’ Tower which got its name from the 12 widows that reputedly helped build the tower by donated their pension after they learned about the death of their husbands in the war against northern barbarians.
The Great Wall winds its way on the mountain ridge with some steep passages along the way. Shortly after the Widows’ Tower the wall split in two, one section leading back to Huangyaguan and another leading to watch tower which was probably once connected to the Phoenix Tower north of Huangyaguan.
From the top of the Great Wall it’s easy to appreciate the layout of the walled fortress in the bottom of the valley, although undoubtedly much have changed since the fortress was originally constructed. The fortress was constructed with a maze, a so-called Baguan pattern, of buildings to make it very difficulty for the enemy for find his way trough the fortress if he successfully entered the fortress. Today a small amusement labyrinth have been constructed to give the visitors the same feeling as invading enemy troops might have had many years ago.
Back at Huangyaguan it’s possible to continue a bit further west which takes you to the foot of the mountain where the Heaven Ladder of Huangya begins. Unfortunately I had to turn back, but it seems that the wall continues up the mountain into a small ravine and ends at the top of the mountain. I will surely go back one day to explore this part of Huangyaguan.
Huangyaguan is home of a yearly marathon, and we actually saw a few people practicing on the Great Wall. Having tried a normal marathon myself I can easily imagine how hard the Great Wall Marathon must be.
Entrance price: 50 RMB
Date of visit: May 10, 2008
4 Responses to “Huangyaguan”
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Thank you for showing such professional pictures and good text!. We will leave in 10 days and were wondering if this Huangyaguan/Taipingzhai- wall site is open to public every day or just the weekends?.Any opening-times available?
Do you advice us to do the same route? And are the horses a good idea to you to go up or are there other alternative ways up or down. I understand it is an exhausting climb. Because of the fog the afternoon might be a better time to go. How did you arrange the transport from Tianjin?
Thanks for your valuable help in advance
From two dutch airline people
Thank you for your interest in The Great Wall and the Great Wall Blog. Huangyaguan is open everyday – as far as I know from 08:00 to 16:00.
I recommend you to buy a ticket to the small open bus when you buy the tickets. The bus will take you to Taipingzhai and from there it’s mostly downhill back to Huangyaguan, however there are some steep climbs in between but not very long. About half way you can rent a horse to take you down, but if you have the energy (down hill from here) I recommend you to walk – it’s a very beautiful area.
I have my own car so for me transport is no problem. I’m sure you can find a bus to take you there, and the hotel in Tianjin most likely arrange one day trips to Huangyaguan also – or at least they can help you to arrange the transport.
Here’s some useful links:
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/china_great_wall/scene/tianjin/huangyaguan.htm
http://www.chinahighlights.com/greatwall/section/huangyaguan-pass.htm
http://www.china.org.cn/olympics/host_cities/2007-07/25/content_1218524.htm
I wish you a nice and enjoyable trip to China and the Great Wall!
At the moment there seems to be fog all day, so my best advice is just to avoid the heat in the middle of the day, so an early morning might be a good idea too.
it would be better with other languages support, but thanks..
What other languages support are you thinking about?