延庆县 56 号敌台

Hidden within the sprawling metropolis of Beijing, the Yanqing County No. 56 Beacon Tower stands as a testament to time. It has seen empires rise and fall. It has endured centuries of weathering, leaving it in a state of graceful decay. The Yanqing County No. 56 Beacon Tower, often called the “most dilapidated” beacon tower, is a hollow, three-tiered structure connected to the Great Wall. Its original two-story building with a tile roof is gone. Only the base and a crumbling outer wall remain. The eastern wall has completely collapsed. The inside is filled with a meter of accumulated earth, and a large tree grows within its eastern side. The bricks of the Yanqing County No. 56 Beacon Tower are severely eroded. Some are entirely missing, forming gaping holes in the wall’s surface. The bricks below waist height are almost all damaged, their surfaces worn away by time and the elements. The decay is a result of the collapsed roof. Rainwater has poured into the structure, freezing and thawing over centuries. This constant cycle of water damage has led to the severe erosion of the brick. Despite its ruined state, the Yanqing County No. 56 Beacon Tower holds unique historical value. Though the interior structure is gone, traces of embedded wall columns and foundations are visible. These remnants reveal the original wooden framework inside the brick outer walls. This type of construction is rare among the beacon towers of the Yanqing section of the Great Wall. The Yanqing County No. 56 Beacon Tower sits by the roadside, visible to villagers and passersby. It serves as a stark reminder of the passage of time and the enduring strength of the Great Wall. A recent project aims to reinforce the Yanqing County No. 56 Beacon Tower. This project will address drainage issues, reinforce the walls, and repair the damaged bricks. The restoration will use a technique of inserting small stones and broken brick pieces into the gaps and sealing them with mortar. The goal is to prevent further collapse and preserve the unique character of this brick and wood beacon tower, ensuring it continues to tell its story for generations to come.