Ming Great Wall Ruins in Shenchi

Ming Great Wall Ruins in Shenchi

The Ming Great Wall Ruins in Shenchi is a cultural tourism attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Ming Great Wall is also known as the "Inner Great Wall" or "Border Wall." It was built in the 18th year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty (1539). It enters from Longyuan Village in Longquan Town and exits at Yezhikou in Liebao Township, covering about 40 kilometers within the area. The section near Xiangjiagou Village in Longquan Town is made of stone, while the part from Nanzhai Village in Liebao Township to Yezhikou is earthen, with the rest being a mixture of earth and stone. The Great Wall follows the mountain terrain, undulating and twisting, creating a spectacular sight. The northern and southern stone walls in Xiangjiagou are 1.2 meters wide at the top and stand 4 meters high. Fortified watchtowers are built at both ends of the mountain pass, making the area particularly steep and imposing. From a distance, it appears majestic and winding; up close, it exudes an overwhelming sense of grandeur and strength.

During the construction of the Great Wall, the area had abundant gravel but little soil, so soldiers dug through various valleys and cliffs to find suitable soil in a few locations. Due to the lack of water, they built over a hundred waterwheels and transported water from Pingjibao, more than 20 kilometers away, to mix with the soil and gravel before compacting it into the wall, resulting in exceptional durability. Six kilometers west of the First Pass lies the Second Pass, where a 20-meter-high hill stands on the southern side of the pass, topped with a watchtower measuring 11 meters square and about 8 meters tall. The Third Pass is located 4 kilometers east of the Second Pass. Here, two mountains enclose a narrow valley with a river running through it. The cliffs are steep, and the peaks tower above while the valley floor is treacherous below, embodying the strategic saying "one man can hold the pass against ten thousand." During its construction, a stone wall and a deep trench were built along the mountains. The vast expanse of the Great Wall, together with its watchtowers and beacon towers, forms an interconnected defensive line, effectively controlling the critical western gateway to the desert.

All who visit the Ming Great Wall ruins are awestruck by its grand momentum, immense scale, and the tremendous effort behind its construction. The Great Wall is a rare treasure and an extraordinary cultural relic, symbolizing the unbreakable will and enduring strength of the Chinese nation. It is a source of pride for China and for all humanity. Having withstood the test of time and history, the Ming Great Wall ruins hold even greater value today.

Longyuan Village: Longyuan Village…… Detailed information about Longyuan Village++