Photos! Suizhong County - Manzhicao

[Kim]

Manzhicao (蔓枝草) is located here: 40°13'5.71"N 119°48'1.28"E

I passed the area more than a year ago but didn't have time to take a closer look, so today I went back there.

Watchtower on the western side of Manzhicao.



Double fortress walls.



The pass seen from the eastern side.



A few bricks still remains on the wall.



View from the first watchtower to the east.



View from the first watchtower to the east.



The first watchtower to the east.



The top watchtower to the east.



Typical layout of the wall at Manzhicao - small terraces connected by stairs. Probably some kind of barrier walls was places here originally.



Climbing up to the top watchtower at the eastern part of Manzhicao.



The eastern part of Manzhicao with the western part in the background.



The wall of Manzhicao. Notice the steps all the way up consisting of terraces of various size - I don't recall seeing this anywhere else.



The wall of Manzhicao. Notice the steps all the way up consisting of terraces of various size - I don't recall seeing this anywhere else.



The two watchtowers at the eastern part.



At the bottom of the eastern part.

[Bryan]

FASCINATING!!

The wall and towers here are in surprisingly good condition. There are many interesting construction features.

I have seen drawings of the alternating steps between terraces but these are the only photos I have ever seen.



I guess the top tower to the east is at 40°12'53"N 119°48'25"E? Did you make it beyond that point?

[Kim]

Originally Posted by greatwallforum

FASCINATING!!

The wall and towers here are in surprisingly good condition. There are many interesting construction features.

I have seen drawings of the alternating steps between terraces but these are the only photos I have ever seen.



I guess the top tower to the east is at 40°12'53"N 119°48'25"E? Did you make it beyond that point?

Yes, that is the tower

The wall seems to end about here: 40°12'53.59"N 119°48'26.98"E

It is very steep around there, and the wall does not seem to continue further east from here. It is my impression that the wall in this area is mainly build around the passes and then rest is natural defence including steep mountains and rivers.

[andarchen]

Impressed photos !
Each stair on terrace seem to be built left and right in turn , very interesting .

[Bryan]

Originally Posted by andarchen

Impressed photos !
Each stair on terrace seem to be built left and right in turn , very interesting .

From Tales of the Great Wall



I found this drawing interesting when I first saw it and am now very happy that Kim has shown us photos of the real thing!

The drawing shows bricks rather than stones. I wonder if such a thing exists.

[Kim]

Originally Posted by greatwallforum

From Tales of the Great Wall

I found this drawing interesting when I first saw it and am now very happy that Kim has shown us photos of the real thing!

The drawing shows bricks rather than stones. I wonder if such a thing exists.

I don't recall seeing it anywhere else so it might be very unique.

[Kim]

All of the towers here seems to have names, but only one of the stone tablets still have some barely visible characters.

[Kim]

Around here (40°13'0.35"N 119°48'16.23"E) the wall is very steep and the wall just consists of big slabs of stone forming stairs. At some places footsteps have even been cut into the natural rock for easier access. This is not a place tourists go so the footsteps should be original.

[andarchen]

Originally Posted by Kim

I don't recall seeing it anywhere else so it might be very unique.

I posted your " lagre plus small steps" photo in Chinese Gw forum last night , and asked wheather anywhere has same structure . Mr. Xiaohu shared his "large steps only" photo captured as follow at Heibei Zunhua , Your photo is real unique !

[andarchen]

Originally Posted by Kim

Around here (40°13'0.35"N 119°48'16.23"E) the wall is very steep and the wall just consists of big slabs of stone forming stairs. At some places footsteps have even been cut into the natural rock for easier access. This is not a place tourists go so the footsteps should be original.

I can see the line marks of stone being cut , and a blur footstep left side of marks , but fail to figue out how the footsteps can be left on hard stone .Can you tell your thought in detail , afterward i could post it in Chinese GW form to share what your finding . Thanks .