“Upper Pass”. That’s the English translation of Shangguan. The Shangguan Great Wall is a hidden gem near Beijing. It offers great views and varied construction. Few people visit this section of the Great Wall.
Shangguan is located about 54 kilometers northwest of downtown Beijing. It sits between Juyongguan and Shuiguan. Thousands of motorists pass it daily on the Badaling Expressway. Yet information about Shangguan is scarce.
This section of the Great Wall is worth a visit. You will experience a part of the Great Wall with varied construction. It offers great views and is rarely visited. If you don’t visit Shangguan, look for it from the Badaling Expressway. The central part of the wall is easy to see from the road.
The Shangguan Great Wall has a main wall and a tail wall. The main wall runs roughly perpendicular to the Badaling Expressway. The tail wall runs roughly parallel. It heads south from halfway up the main wall.
The main wall is brick for the first half. Then it turns to stone. The wall ends before the mountain’s top. A stone watchtower sits at the mountain’s peak. It’s believed this wall was built in the early Ming Dynasty. Parts were later reinforced with brick.
Once you climb the wall, impressive views await. Notice the watchtowers to the north and south. Across the valley, another wall sits on a higher mountain. It looks difficult to reach and climb.
Shangguan is a short span of the Great Wall. It doesn’t take long to explore. But it’s worth visiting. You’ll see a part of the Great Wall that has varied construction. It offers great views and is rarely visited.
The main wall begins at the access road’s edge. It soon climbs steeply up the hill. The wall was originally made from stone. The lower half was later covered with bricks. The tail wall also got a brick covering. At the wall’s lowest points, bricks have been removed. They were used for other purposes. This has left the wall in deteriorated condition. The upper half of the wall is still in its original stone form. Near the top, the wall reduces to a few stones. These stones fill gaps in the mountainside. An old stone tower sits at the mountain’s top.
Looking down from where the bricks turn to stone offers a unique perspective. This spot highlights the different construction phases of Shangguan. The blend of brick and stone tells a story of adaptation and reinforcement. It provides insights into the Ming Dynasty’s engineering strategies.
From the top tower, one can see the Shuiguan Great Wall in the distance. The views from the tower are panoramic. They show the strategic importance of Shangguan. The wall on the nearby mountain adds to the dramatic landscape.
Shangguan offers a unique Great Wall experience. It combines accessibility with solitude. The varied construction and stunning views make it memorable. Next time you’re near Beijing, consider a detour to Shangguan. Discover a hidden section of this iconic wonder.