“Another one” I hear you ask? Yes, indeed. This is the Yanqing Great Wall No. 2 Tower. It is also known as Chenjiabao Upper Fortress No. 2 Tower.
This tower stands as a testament to the Ming Dynasty’s defensive strategies. It was built between 1368 and 1644. This period saw extensive construction and reinforcement of the Great Wall. The goal was to protect the empire from northern invaders.
The Yanqing Great Wall No. 2 Tower showcases unique architectural features. The tower’s current form is trapezoidal. Its structure resembles a platform. It is built from the ground up. Workers used lime mortar and white ash to create sturdy seams. The core is filled with crushed stone and earth.
Originally, there were buildings on the tower’s base. Now only weeds grow. This tower stands at an altitude of 397 meters. Its geographical coordinates are 115° 42′ East and 40° 4′ North.
The Yanqing Great Wall No. 2 Tower is located north of Yanhecheng Village in Mentougou District. It is about 200 meters up the hillside. The tower is made of brick and stone. It is a crucial part of the Great Wall’s defense system. It once connected with signal towers to relay military information.
Look south. You can see the No. 1 Tower. Yongding River separates them. The close proximity allowed coordinated defense efforts.
The Great Wall in Yanqing is about 26.6 kilometers long. Much of it is made of brick and stone. The No. 2 Tower is one of 96 hollow enemy towers.
In 2020, a project began to reinforce the No. 2 Tower. This was because the tower had never been renovated. Sections had cracked. Some vault roofs had collapsed and the structure was unstable.
The restoration work focused on minimal intervention. Workers cleared debris and stabilized the structure. They used old bricks to repair collapsed vaults. This ensured structural integrity. New bricks replaced missing ones. Cracks were sealed. The top was waterproofed. Drainage was improved.
Transporting materials was difficult because the tower is far from the ground. Workers relied on manpower, machines, and animals. Donkeys carried supplies to the tower.
Today, the Yanqing Great Wall No. 2 Tower stands as a restored monument. It reminds us of the Ming Dynasty’s determination. Its walls echo with the stories of soldiers. Their vigilance helped protect the empire.