Guarding a pass in the mountains, Chenjiapu Great Wall 4 is more than just a tower. It’s a silent witness to centuries of history. Chenjiapu Great Wall 4 once stood as a critical point along a line of wild wall. This section offered 360-degree views. Imagine soldiers scanning the horizon. They looked out for any sign of approaching threats.
Chenjiapu Great Wall is part of a moderately difficult hike. The hike follows the wild wall. The wall extends high into the hills. Some sections are tricky underfoot. This challenges hikers even today.
The hike begins near Chenjiapu Village. A short walk up a road leads to a dirt track. The track ascends a valley towards the Great Wall. As you walk notice how the valley slowly opens. This reveals views of the Great Wall and its towers. They stand guard on a high ridgeline.
At the valley’s top, the Great Wall appears with two mostly-intact towers. These towers guard a pass at a dip in the mountains. From here, the path heads north. It follows a rough line of wild Great Wall. It passes through the two towers. Then it goes up to the local General’s Tower.
The General’s Tower sits at 1,040m. It has superb views of all the Great Wall in the area. To the east lies the Stone Valley Great Wall. You might even see parts of the Badaling Ancient Great Wall. To the south, you can see higher parts of this line. On a clear day, you may spot the High Tower on a distant peak.
With its clear views, the General’s Tower was likely the command post for this section. That explains its name. From the General’s Tower, the path continues down the wall. It detours around broken sections. It then follows a flatter section above Chenjiapu Village.
The hike passes more towers. There’s at least one tricky section. Here it might be easier to walk beside the Great Wall. Before the wall becomes too steep, the trail turns off. It descends to the village road.
Most of the wall dates to the Ming Dynasty 1368-1644. Look for large brick towers. Notice the crenellated side walls. The Ming wall covers an older wall of stone and rock. It’s said to be from the Northern Qi Dynasty 550-577. Just past the General’s Tower, the Ming wall splits. Sharp eyes can spot the older wall.
The village nearby is known as Chenjiapu. The name can be translated as Chen Castle. The village name is also sometimes pronounced as pū. That means plank bed, shop, or relay station. There may not have been a castle here. The village is outside the main line of the Great Wall.
Today, the sometimes-open Dragon King Temple stands as the village’s main old structure. So, as you stand at Chenjiapu Great Wall 4, imagine the past. Consider its role in guarding Beijing. Think about the soldiers who stood here. They watched over the mountains and valleys.