“Metal soup Great Wall” is quite the nickname. It describes the Huanghuacheng Great Wall near Jiuduhe Town. We are standing before a section of this very special defensive tower, located at \u4e5d\u6e21\u6cb3\u9547\u4e8c\u9053\u5173\u6751\u4e1c 271 \u53f7\u654c\u53f0.
The Huanghuacheng Great Wall is unlike any other. It’s the only watery Great Wall in Beijing. Mountains, lakes, and the ancient Great Wall combine to create a legendary solidity.
This section is the latest to become popular for hiking and camping. Its paths are seeped in history. They offer a perfect blend of lake scenery. The Huanghuacheng Great Wall is located in Jiuduhe Town. This is in the Huairou District of Beijing City. It’s about a 90-minute drive from Beijing.
Construction of the Huanghuacheng Great Wall spanned 188 years. It began in 1404 and ended in 1592. It was built to protect emperors, both living and dead.
The emperors of the Ming Dynasty built an outer and inner Great Wall. This was to enhance the defense of the northern border. The Huanghuacheng section is part of the inner Great Wall. It connects the Mutianyu section in the east, Jiankou, and Juyong Pass in the west.
Emperor Yongle began his reign in Beijing. He built a mausoleum at Tianshou Hill. It was south of Huanghua Town. The Huanghuacheng Great Wall defended Beijing. It also protected the mausoleum which later became the Ming Tombs. It is considered the essence of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall.
This is an uncrowded section with varied scenery and activities. Take a boat on the lake. Appreciate the Great Wall on the surrounding mountains. Hike around the lake and across the dam. Or, camp on the wall to appreciate the sunrise and sunset.
During summer, the countryside around Huanghuacheng is swathed in yellow. Wildflowers bloom in masses. Reservoirs divide the Huanghuacheng wall. Some parts are even immersed in water. This unique characteristic distinguishes it from other sections.
The wild wall is pristine. It hasn’t been repaired like the Badaling Section. The stone rebuilt section retains its original composition.
General Cai Kai led the construction. He was beheaded because the emperor believed lies about his work. The emperor realized his mistake. He erected a tomb and memorial stele for the general. He inscribed the characters \u91d1\u6c64 on a rock below the wall. This meant “metal soup Great Wall,” signifying its firmness and solidity.