居庸关

Juyongguan Great Wall or Juyong Pass is located in an 18-kilometer long valley named "Guangou" in Changping County, more than 50 kilometers from Beijing. It is generally considered one of the three greatest passes on the Great Wall of China. The other two passes are Jiayu Pass and Shanhai Pass. The name "Juyong Pass" was first used in the Qin Dynasty when Emperor Qinshihuang first gave the order to build the Great Wall. Juyong Pass has two passes: the "Nan Pass", or "Southern Pass" in the south and "Badaling" in the north. Badaling Great Wall has a somewhat larger reputation since it was connected to the Great Wall during both the Northern and Southern Dynasties. In the middle of Juyong Pass, there is a "Cloud Platform", also known as "Crossing Street Tower." Originally built of white marble during the Yuan Dynasty with a height of 9.5 meters, lots of examples of period architecture such as stone railings and watch towers can be found along the platform. In the middle of the base of the platform there is an arched door where men, horses, and carriages could often pass through on their way either into or out of Beijing. Many animal images were carved in the arched doorways and on both sides of the door are carved statues of both Taoist and Buddhist gods. There were three white towers on the platform in the past, but they were destroyed in the interval between the Yuan and Ming dynasties. Later a Tai’an Temple was built on the platform but was later destroyed in the Qing Dynasty. The present Juyongguan Great Wall was initially built in the Ming Dynasty and rebuilt many times later. It was strategically very important as it connected the inland areas and the area near the northern border of China. Being a strong defense barrier for Beijing, Juyong Pass witnessed many important battles throughout Imperial China. As there are lush trees around the Pass, the so-called Folded Greenness of Juyong Pass is one of "the Eight Best Scenic Spots of Ancient Beijing."

I visited this section of the wall in March 2018. It was cold and it had snowed the day before but by the time we climbed up the very very steep and uneven steps to the top of Fortress 12, we shed our jumpers and jackets. Make sure you wear comfortable and supportive sneakers and sunglasses or a hat. The climb is pretty difficult and most people don’t make it up all of the way but no matter how far up you climb, you will see spectacular views of the mountains and the wall. It’s definitely one for the bucket list. If you get to Fortress 10, I think, you will see a little gift store selling gold medals saying you climbed the Great Wall. They can also engrave your name and date onto the medal.

I loved climbing on the Great Wall. There were a lot of people there that day. School children and tourists trying to make sense of the world. The girl that sat thinking on the steps of the great wall probably had the greatest enlightenment. The main thing I thought about as I climbed higher and higher along the wall was: how many people died building this wall? And how long did the wall protect the people that ordered it being built? Such a great sacrifice by so many. For what? I hope the workers found purpose in their lives. I am still thinking about these things. Cold and Wintery day Hiking along the Great Wall Warmed my heart and soul

Brutal hike to the top lookout point but worth it. Will take maybe an house for those of medium to low physical ability. The first stretch in the hardest with no breaks and some steps over a foot tall. The views are incredible and there is a store near the stop with refreshments. There are also Chinese style toilets at the top and western at the bottom. On the day I went, smog was minimal. It can be crowded and with the pathway being narrow, you will need to wait at times.

居庸关，是京北长城沿线上的著名古关城，也是中国的城堡之一。“天下九塞”之一，“太行八陉”之八，国家级文物保护单位。居庸关同样号称“天下第一雄关”，与嘉峪关相似，但是两关的东西位置不同，且嘉峪关比居庸关修筑时间更早。相当于嘉峪关（建于1372年）比山海关（建于1381年）早建九年。关城所在的峡谷，属太行余脉军都山地，西山夹峙，下有巨涧，悬崖峭壁，地形极为险要。居庸关与紫荆关、倒马关、固关并称明朝京西四大名关，其中居庸关、紫荆关、倒马关又称内三关。居庸关是四大重要关卡之一。四大重要关卡即南口，居庸关，上关和八达岭。居庸关形势险要，东连卢龙、碣石，西属太行山、常山，实天下之险。自古为兵家必争之地。它有南北两个关口，南名"南口"，北称"居庸关"。现存的关城是明太祖朱元璋派遣大将军徐达督建的。为北京西北的门户。居庸关两旁，山势雄奇，中间有长达18公里的溪谷，俗称"关沟"。这里清流萦绕，翠峰重叠，花木郁茂，山鸟争鸣。绮丽的风景，有"居庸叠翠"之称，被列为"燕京八景"之一。

Another wonderful place to experience the Great Wall with less crowd. Don't see any cable car service at this location so you have to climb and suggest you choose the way with gentle slope. At the very top you can pay for some photos to be taken (not expensive) and they'll laminate them for you on teh spot.

Wow! What a life moment to walk in the Great Wall!! My wife and I did a tour here for our honeymoon and this was easily one of best parts. We climbed to the top, was a bit of a challenge but well worth it for the view! Steps are uneven, the food at the bottom is not great but good enough if your starving!

This fort is easy going up. The step is not too high (the senior person can go). If you go with the tour, the bus will reach the entrance, if you go by bus you must walk for kilometers to reach the entrance. When you go up to the higher level you can see the next fort on the opposite side.

Visiting the Great Wall of China was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure! Climbing those ancient steps and taking in the jaw-dropping views was absolutely mind-blowing. Don't pass up the chance to add this incredible wonder to your travel bucket list! ️…...

居庸关长城是以京藏高速为中轴线形成一个闭环的长城，以往经常开车经过居庸关，但一直没有登上去，这次有空带着家人去锻炼一下身体。自驾去很方便，但是最好提前看一下路况，周末和假期车还是很多的。居庸关有很多的停车场，我们是停的3号停车场，从这里的北关瓮城走东线是相对难度不那么大的线路，适合带着长辈来爬。这条线路不仅能很快到达好汉坡和东山箭楼，而且还能看到居庸关花海和穿行的列车。上下1个小时足够。到了好汉坡，有体力的可以继续往南走三、四、五号敌楼，从1号停车场出来，再有体力可以整个绕一圈。

Good place where you can feel how amazing great wall is, but becareful since the steps are really steep, however if you reach to the second post there is another way to go downstairs which is actually not really steep as before

Great wall of China, absolutely breathtaking and not for those that don't like or can't do stairs. It was worth the pain and sweat to get up high and look down. Once in a lifetime opportunity, I'm guessing.

Wear good shoes and bring water! This place has some of the most vertical steps ever. There's a nice gift shop near the top of the first tower which has coffee and little magnets for an okay price.

Lots and lots and lots and lots or stairs.... Bring lots of water and take it slow. If you walk far enough you can get to less-restored (less Disney-like) parts, but it's a serious hike.

Amazing history, I almost cought a heart attack climbing the stairs at the great wall of China. They should open the part that doesn't require you to be able to climb all those stairs

Great place. Not too crowded. You should prepare training clothes if you want to go far. A lot of stairs is waiting you. But be careful, these stairs isn't same height

This is very good places but need some stand who sell drinks because the weather is a little bit unstable and if we walk until the mid / top we will need some drinks.

Desperate Measure for Desperate Situations.. Crazy but great strategy for the safety of a nation.. You have not arrived in China before you visit the Great Wall...

Nice section of the wall that is close to Beijing. Good coffee shop to sit in and rest after your stair climbing experience. Souvenir shops are there also.