Taipingzhai in Jixian County, Tianjin

　　Introduction: Located 1.0 km southeast of Huangyaguan — in An Village. The altitude ranges from 400 to 500 meters, stretching from Banlagang Mountain in the east to Widow Tower in the west, connecting to Phoenix Tower in the northwest and Shuiguan in the southwest. It has a total length of 873 meters. This fortress guards the steep mountain valleys on the eastern side of Huangyaguan and is known for its rugged terrain and majestic Great Wall. On the eastern side of the Taipingzhai section of the Great Wall, a new gate-style rampway for ascending the wall has been built, with a stone plaque inscribed “Taipingzhai” mounted above the gate, hence the name. There are six multi-arch vaulted watchtowers in a well-shaped layout, one beacon tower, and one ramp entrance at Taipingzhai. The entrance features a barbican, and in front of the barbican square stands an 8.5-meter-high granite statue of Qi Jiguang. To the west of the barbican is the Sancha Wall, which extends outward with a lookout tower, while inside there is a water channel. The Great Wall follows the rugged mountain contours, and atop the peak lies a circular stone watchtower connected to over 100 meters of steeply descending stone walls — this section was built during the Northern Qi Dynasty, more than 1,400 years ago. Inside the Great Wall, there is an enclosed wall area called “Yangma Ge,” which served as an ancient horse stable. In An Village, there is a damaged stele named the “Steles for Building Hollow Enemy Towers.” Beneath Banlagang Mountain, there is a platform along the city wall that served as Qi Jiguang’s General Platform.
　　　　 

　　 Tianjin Jixian County