Tianjin Jixian Taipingzhai

Tianjin Jixian Taipingzhai

Introduction Located 1.0 km southeast of Huangyaguan – in An Village. With an altitude of 400–500 meters, it stretches from Banlagang Mountain in the east to Widow Tower in the west. It connects to Phoenix Tower in the northwest and Shuiguan (Water Pass) in the southwest. The total length is 873 meters. This stronghold controls the mountainous valleys on the eastern side of Huangyaguan, and is known for its rugged terrain and the majestic Great Wall. On the eastern side of the Taipingzhai Great Wall, a new arched gateway ramp was built for easier access to the wall, with a stone plaque inscribed “Taipingzhai” mounted on the gate, hence the name. Taipingzhai features six multi-arched watchtowers in a well-like structure, one beacon tower, and one gateway for ascending the wall. At the entrance to the wall is a barbican, and in front of the barbican’s square stands an 8.5-meter-high granite statue of Qi Jiguang. To the west of the barbican is a three-pronged wall, which extends outward with a sentry tower, and has an interior water channel. The Great Wall follows the rugged mountain contours, and at the mountaintop there is a circular stone watchtower connected to over 100 meters of steeply descending stone walls, built during the Northern Qi Dynasty over 1,400 years ago. Inside the wall is an enclosure called “Yangma Pavilion,” which was used as an ancient horse stable. – In An Village, there is a damaged stele named “The Stele for Building Hollow Enemy Towers.” Beneath Banlagang Mountain, there is a platform along the wall that served as Qi Jiguang’s General Platform.

Tianjin Jixian