Niangziguan

Niangziguan

Niangziguan is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Niangziguan, originally named Weize Pass, was renamed after Princess Pingyang, the sister of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, who led the “Women’s Army” to garrison and defend this strategic point. It guards the eastern gateway of the Shanxi region, is a renowned pass along the Great Wall, and is known as the “Ninth Pass Under Heaven.”

Situated 45 kilometers northeast of Pingding County, it is an ancient pass originally named Weize Pass, widely regarded as the Ninth Pass of the Great Wall. This pass lies at the border between Shanxi and Hebei provinces, and locals in Shanxi often use “inside and outside Niangziguan” to refer to locations within and beyond the province.

The fortress of Niangziguan backs onto the towering, cloud-kissing Mianshan Mountain and faces a deep valley with sheer cliffs. The battlements along the mountainside wind along the contours of the hill, while the Tao River loops around its northwest side, flowing in winding curves. Truly a place where “mountains cradle the fortress and rivers form its moat,” the entire pass is flanked by stretches of the Great Wall that follow the mountain’s undulating ridges. Historically, this section of the wall served as a natural barrier between Shanxi and Hebei, exuding an aura of impregnability — truly a case of “one man guarding the pass can hold back ten thousand.”

Niangziguan has a long history. During the Sui Dynasty, the Weize County was established here. Princess Pingyang, the sister of Emperor Taizong Li Shimin, once led the Women’s Army to defend this pass, hence its later name. The existing fortress was built in the 21st year of the Jiajing reign during the Ming Dynasty (1542 AD), featuring two gates — southern and eastern — and a 650-meter-long wall, with a residential area in between. The southern gate has a brick arch below and a gate tower above, inscribed with four large characters: “Capital’s Frontier Bastion.” In front of the gate is nearly a hundred meters of ancient stone-paved roadway. The gate tower stands atop the arch. Within the fortress are ancient structures such as the Temple of Guan Yu and the Zhenwu Pavilion. Residential houses and streets retain their original appearance, and many local residents are descendants of “carters” from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The eastern gate is a brick arch with a flat platform above it, inscribed with five large characters: “Zhili Niangziguan.” The summer retreat pavilion on Mianshan Mountain is said to have been built by Princess Pingyang of the Tang Dynasty. Outside the pass lies the winding ancient road of the Yan-Zhao region. Inside the eastern gate stands a brick platform, believed to be Princess Pingyang’s command platform.

Niangziguan is also famed for its picturesque scenery. About 300 meters east of the fortress’s eastern gate, beneath the Dounü Shrine, lies the “Niangziguan Waterfall,” where water cascades down a hundred feet from a cliff, forming a stunning “water curtain.” Nearby attractions include the Water Curtain Cave and the Spouting Spring, contributing to the area’s breathtaking beauty. Streams flow through every household, and springs bubble up everywhere, creating a natural scene resembling “a small bridge, flowing water, and quaint homes.”

Transportation:

Renting a car in Niangziguan Town for a round trip to Guguan costs about 40 yuan, while a one-way trip to Guguan from Niangziguan is around 25 yuan.

Ticket/Opening Hours: 15 yuan

Princess Pingyang Zhao (died 623), daughter of Emperor Gaozu of Tang, Li Yuan, and Empress Dou, was married to the general Chai Shao. Princess Pingyang rallied various rebel forces against the Sui Dynasty, and this army — commanded by a woman — was known for its strict discipline. Her orders were absolute, and the troops held her in the highest esteem. After the pacification of the Central Plains, Li Yuan conferred upon his exceptionally talented daughter the title “Princess Pingyang.” Due to her outstanding military achievements, the rewards bestowed upon her differed from those given to other princesses. In early February of the 6th year of the Wude era (623 AD), historical records abruptly note her death; she was... More details on Princess Pingyang Zhao of Emperor Gaozu of Tang++