Yangbian Great Wall

Yangbian Great Wall

The Yangbian Great Wall is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The best-preserved, highest-quality, and most exquisitely constructed section of the Great Wall in our county is called the Yangbian Great Wall. It is located to the southeast of Xiaonanxinku Town, near Miaogang and Henglingxi, with a total length of about 3,000 meters. The wall is built entirely from neatly arranged large stone slabs.

The Yangbian Great Wall was built in the second year of the Ming Dynasty’s founding emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang’s enthronement, when he sent the renowned general Xu Da to construct sections of the Great Wall such as Juyong Pass. To ensure high construction standards, Xu Da specifically selected a strategic, rugged mountainous area near Miaogang as a model project for the Great Wall. This section served as the benchmark for constructing the rest of the Ming Dynasty’s Great Wall, hence the name “Yangbian” (meaning “model section”).

The Yangbian Great Wall is grand and spectacular, stretching approximately 2.5 kilometers in length, with walls about 6 meters high and a top width of 5 meters. The stone slabs used in its construction are stacked in up to 17 layers. The wall features several S-shaped curves that flow smoothly, and the stonework is exceptionally neat. The brick battlements, parapets, and watchtowers were dismantled by local residents in the 1970s, but the main structure of the Yangbian Great Wall remains intact, retaining its majestic and imposing presence. There is a saying among locals: “You can’t understand the historical essence of the Ming Dynasty’s Great Wall without visiting Juyong Pass, just as you can’t appreciate the finest craftsmanship of the Ming Great Wall without seeing the Yangbian section at Miaogang.” This section of the Great Wall is significantly better preserved than others across China, largely due to the exceptional quality of its construction. The surrounding Huailai region is covered with vast fields of crabapple blossoms that bloom every spring, creating sea-like floral landscapes that adorn the remote mountain villages and complement the ancient Great Wall, forming a breathtaking scene.

Address: Miaoxiang Village, Xiaonanxinku Town, Huailai County

Driving directions: Exit at Donghuayuan on the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Expressway, go straight to the T-junction, turn left and continue straight to the traffic light, then turn left and go straight for 4 kilometers to the entrance of Shiba Village, then turn left and continue along the road for 10 kilometers to Miaoxiang Village.