The Qi Great Wall (Zhangqiu Section)

The Qi Great Wall (Zhangqiu Section)

The Qi Great Wall (Zhangqiu Section), stretching approximately 70 kilometers from east to west along the mountain ridges, begins about 3 kilometers east of Saitai Village in Guanzhuang, connecting to Zibo City to the east, and ends at the southwest hilltop near Yuezi in Duozhuang, linking to Licheng District to the west. Built adaptively along the terrain and utilizing local materials, the wall was constructed either with dry-laid stone blocks or with tamped earth. It features three main passes: Jinyang Pass, Huangshi Pass, and Beimen Pass.

Jinyang Pass is located about 2 kilometers south of Sanhuai Tree Village in Wenzu Subdistrict. Originally, the pass had a gatehouse with a stone plaque bearing the three large characters “Jinyang Pass” embedded above the entrance. The slopes on both sides of the pass are relatively gentle. The extant sections of the Great Wall were rebuilt in the 11th year of the Xianfeng reign during the Qing Dynasty (1861) to defend against the Nian Army invasion and are well-preserved, with remnants of the horse path along the base of the wall still faintly visible. As a strategic passage between the states of Qi and Lu, Jinyang Pass connects to the south with mountains such as Ma’an and Zhenzhu, while the stone path to the north is steep and treacherous—so much so that a single armed soldier could hold off an army, making it a natural stronghold and a contested military site. The crenellations here are neatly arranged, with tall parapets, and the wall ascends the mountain in a stepped fashion, presenting a winding and spectacular view from afar. It is one of the best-preserved sections of the Great Wall.

Huangshi Pass is situated 1 kilometer due south of Saitai Village in Guanzhuang Subdistrict, flanked by Pilinxian Mountain to the east and Junlin Mountain to the west, with the pass set within a valley. A stream runs north to south through the valley, eventually flowing into the Xueye Reservoir in Laiwu City, and the area now serves as the main eastern route from Zhangqiu to Laiwu. On the high mountains to the east and west, there is a circular fort on each side, both preserved in relatively good condition. On the northern side of the eastern wall, there is a 1-meter-wide exit that descends in a step-like fashion. From a distance, the view of the valley embraced by two mountains is majestic, marking this as one of the important passes of the Qi Great Wall. In front of the pass, there were originally the Tomb of Meng Jiangnu and a stone pavilion, with Huolang Terrace located to the southwest.

Beimen Pass is located about 3 kilometers southeast of Qiazi Village in Duozhuang Town. To the east is Caoyu Summit, and to the west is Qiazi South Hilltop, forming a saddle shape. The pass runs through the mountain col, with poorly preserved wall remains on both sides. Some sections consist of mixed stone and earth walls that have collapsed into irregular piles of rocks, while other surviving segments are made of dry-laid granite slabs and stone blocks, standing 1–3 meters high. This section currently serves as the western route from Zhangqiu to Laiwu.

In June 2001, the Qi Great Wall was designated by the State Council as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. It is the earliest ancient architectural relic in Zhangqiu to date and provides valuable insights for studying the historical development, architectural craftsmanship, and military strategies of the time.