FAQ            Testimonials            Contact Us       
Home      China Vacation       Yangtze Cruise      Cheap China Flights      China Train      China Hotel Deals      China Travel Guide      Tailor Make      About Us
  >> home >> China travel guide >> City Guide of China >> Beijing attractions
  

Beijing Attractions

Sightseeing Beijing

 

Juyongguan Great Wall

Zoom in
enlarge   reduce
Juyongguan Great Wall

As early as the 13th century, the area of Juyongguan was known for its beauty, and was listed as one of the"Eight Great Sights of Yanjing." The name "Juyong" first appeared in the huainanzi , a philosophical work from the second century BC, in the following annotation: "The Juyong Pass is one of the nine great passes in the country."

To the west of the Juyong Pass is a white marble structure called the Cloud Platform (Yuntai), which was built in 1345 to serve as the foundation for a set of three stone pagodas built at the command of Emperor Huizong, the last ruler of the Yuan Dynasty. At this time, the structure was known as the Pagoda Bridge (Guojieta). After the pagodas were destroyed some time around the fall of the Yuan Dynasty (1368), the Great Peace Temple ( Tai' ansi ) was built to replace them. But the temple was burned down in 1702 during the reign of Emperor kangxi.

The Cloud Platform is pierced by a hexagonal arched gateway. Both the ceiling and facades are covered with Buddhist carvings, including depictions of the Four Heavenly Kings in relief executed with great detail and expressiveness. Texts of Dharani sutras and an inscription entitled "A Record of Charitable and Pious Pagoda Building" carved in six languages -- Lantsha (Nepalese Sanskirt), Tibetan, Phagspa Mongolian, Uygur, Western Xia and Han -- are valuable for the study of philology. The inner roof of the arch is covered with mandala patterns and Buddha images surrounded by flowers, all fine examples of Yuan Dynasty craftsmanship.

The Juyong Pass area contains many relics associated with popular legends. One of these relics, dating back to the Northern Song Dynasty, is the Five Heroes Temple, which commemorates the ostensible digging of the gully by five men of unusual strength. The fanciful name of the Playing the Zither Gorge (Tanqinxia) is derived from the clear and melodious sounds of the river flowing through it.

Different sections of Great Wall
Badaling Great Wall    Mutianyu Great Wall    Huangyaguan Great Wall    Jinshanling Great Wall    Simatai Great Wall    Juyongguan Great Wall    Jiayuguan Great Wall    Overhanging Great Wall

The Great Wall was built with dirt, stone and bricks. At the top of the Great wall, a roadway paved with three layers of brick connected the watchtowers. The roadways are wide enough to hold ten soldiers side by side.  Trekking on Great Wall offers an interesting climb and great views, it can be quite exhausting to reach the top. Nevertheless, if possible, try to avoid going on a national holiday or at the weekend.

 3 D virtural tour of Great Wall      Blog articles of trekking on Great Wall

 
 

Beijing + China Tours

Classical Beijing Tour from $248.00
The images that you see in your mind's eye will be become reality as we show you the highlights of 5,000-years brilliant Chinese culture and history during our three days visiting.
4 days Read Details
 
Splendid Yangtze Tour from $1,440.00
Splendid Yangtze tour takes you to cities as Beijing, Xian, Chongqing, Yichang, Shanghai, enjoy the finest examples of China natural history and beauty during your travel in China.
11 days Read Details
 
  More Beijing + China Tours
 

Beijing City Tour

  More Beijing vacations
  BACK TO PREVIOUS PAGE TOP
In China, you can rely on us.
   Home   |  About us   |   Contact us   |   Terms   |   Payment   |   Privacy Policy   |   Links   |   Site Map  
Travel Beijing |  Travel Yunnan |  Travel Fujian |  Dunhuang and Silk Road Tour |  China Maps  |  China Train  |  Beijing Tours |  Shanghai Tours |  Lhasa Tours |  Xian Tours