Review: Shuiguan Great Wall Review

[Bryan]

Summary

The Shuiguan Great Wall is a short restored section which was created in an effort to reduce congestion and overcrowding at Badaling. It’s not the best choice for a special trip, but may be of interest if combined with visits to other nearby sections of the Great Wall, such as Shixiaguan, Badaling, and Juyongguan.

Access

Shuiguan is easily reached from a well-marked exit from the Badaling Expressway about one hour’s drive northwest of Beijing. Note that no return exit to the expressway exists here in either direction, so you must take secondary roads to Badaling to gain access back onto the expressway.

Condition

The Shuiguan Great Wall is restored near the entrance and as a result it’s in good condition. At the south end of the restored section, the condition of the Wall is highly deteriorated and is dangerous to try to pass.

Description

The Shuiguan or Water Pass Great Wall is located along the Badaling Expressway between Juyongguan and Badaling. This section of the Great Wall has been restored to a somewhat lesser degree than Badaling. When you approach the Great Wall here at the low point, you can choose to walk either north (left) or south (right). Both directions lead to a steep uphill climb. For some reason, virtually all visitors head north here. So naturally, when I visited in September of 2008, I headed south, and there was literally nobody there except for a couple of security Guards.

Uncrowded south side


Crowded north side

Proceeding past the summit and the security guards, the wall is restored for perhaps another one hundred yards and then the end of the restored area is reached. There are signs but no physical barrier to prevent you from proceeding, and you can follow the Wall relatively easily down to another end point which was previously the end of the open area before they decided to shorten it. It’s possible to proceed beyond this point as well as there is a fence but the fence is easy to get around. However, the Wall has collapsed at this point and all that is left is one crumbling line of bricks that has a long dropoff on both sides. Therefore, proceeding south to the unrestored span of Great Wall that can be seen heading tantalizingly up the next mountain is not simple or secure. There aren’t any obvious foot paths to reach it.

Beyond the fence on the southern end

Again, most people go to the north (left) from the main entrance. This mountain is higher than the south side mountain and many people can be seen trying hard to reach the top. Of course, some do and some don’t. The view at the top is rewarding with the high points of the Qinglongqiao and Badaling sections of the Great Wall and beyond easily visible.

Beyond the next tower, the path is well blocked to keep visitors out of the unrestored Qinglongqiao Great Wall beyond.

Blocked end tower on the north side