Xifengkou, Military pass section of Great Wall in Qianxi County, China
Xifengkou is a Great Wall section featuring three stone-based gates linked by brick walls and defensive towers positioned along the mountainous terrain. The structure demonstrates how the fortification adapted to the natural geography of the area.
Construction began in 1368 under General Xu Da during the Ming Dynasty. Major improvements, including the Zhenyuan Building, were completed in 1452.
The name Xifengkou comes from an old story about a father reuniting with his lost son at this location. This tale remains part of how local people connect with and understand the place today.
Parts of the wall lie submerged in Lake Panjiakou, while sections above water are reachable by boat from nearby docks. Water levels affect accessibility, so planning ahead helps with your visit.
In 1572 military exercises here involved around 100,000 soldiers demonstrating Ming Dynasty strength. This large-scale show of force conveyed military capability to outside observers of that era.
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