The First Gate of the Great Wall! Climb this gate, and your life will be peaceful!

Dajingmen is located at the Great Wall pass in Qiaoxi District, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province. It is a landmark attraction in Zhangjiakou and, along with Shanhaiguan, Juyongguan, and Jiayuguan, is known as one of the four great passes of the Ming Great Wall. It guards the key traffic route to the Inner Mongolian grasslands and has been a strategic military stronghold since ancient times. The four powerful characters "Da Hao He Shan" (Great Rivers and Mountains) on the city gate are bold and vigorous. Standing here, you can almost hear the winds of history roaring in your ears. Locals often say, "Climb Dajingmen, and your life will be peaceful," a simple blessing that adds a touch of warmth to this ancient pass. 🌟【Main Attractions and Highlights】: 1️⃣ Dajingmen City Tower: Built in the first year of the Qing Shunzhi era (1644), it is one of the four major passes of the Great Wall. The tower is 12 meters high, 13 meters long at the base, and 9 meters wide. It is a magnificent structure with a foundation of stone slabs and walls of blue bricks. The four large Yan-style characters "Da Hao He Shan" on the lintel were inscribed in 1927 by Gao Weiyue, the governor of Chahar, and have become a symbol of Zhangjiakou. It has witnessed centuries of Zhangjiakou’s history and is known as the "Northern Gate" of the city. 2️⃣ Dajingmen Great Wall: On both the east and west sides of Dajingmen stretches the winding Great Wall, connected end to end, built during the Ming Dynasty as the outer Great Wall. The West Taipingshan Great Wall extending westward is a must-visit for hiking enthusiasts. Here, you can see the brick-walled Great Wall from the Ming era as well as remnants from the Northern Wei period, showcasing layers of military defense wisdom from different eras. Along the wall, watchtowers stand every two to three hundred meters, built along the mountain ridges, creating a magnificent and imposing sight. 3️⃣ Xijingmen (Xiaojingmen): Located east of Dajingmen, this small gate, also called Xijingmen, was built during the 41st year of the Ming Wanli era. It was the only passage in and out of Zhangjiakou at the time, situated 50 meters from Laiyuan Fort, with high walls on the east and west sides forming a "wok" city structure. 4️⃣ Laiyuan Fort Ruins Park: In the 41st year of the Wanli era, Wang Daoheng, the governor of Xuanfu, built this fort on the foundation of the old city walls to strengthen border defense. After completion, Wang Daoheng named it "Laiyuan Fort," inspired by the Analects of Confucius, "Those near are pleased, those far come." The park also contains Yongshun Gate, the southwest gate of Laiyuan Fort. 5️⃣ Mingdekou Street: Passing through the city gate into Mingdekou Street feels like a time travel from history to modern times. This is a charming pedestrian street in Ming and Qing architectural style, 180 meters long and 8 meters wide. On both sides are ancient post stations, pawnshops, and old banks, along with various specialty snacks and handicraft shops. During the heyday of Zhangku Avenue, Mingde Street was one of the most prosperous commercial areas. Today, Mingdekou Street combines folk culture, creative culture, and urban entertainment, making it a great place to experience Zhangjiakou’s folk culture. 6️⃣ Zhangjiakou Fort: The birthplace of Zhangjiakou, built in the 4th year of the Ming Xuande era (1429). It preserves many Ming and Qing ancient buildings, such as the Jade Emperor Pavilion and Wenchang Pavilion, providing valuable materials for studying ancient architectural art. 7️⃣ Great Wall Museum: Located at the foot of Dajingmen, the museum showcases the history, culture, and architectural art of the Great Wall. It houses abundant cultural relics and photo materials, making it an excellent place to learn about Great Wall culture. 🚩【Travel Tips】: 📌 One-day tour: 📍 Morning: Arrive at Dajingmen Scenic Area, visit Dajingmen, and feel the weight of history. 📍 Noon: Taste local specialties like yellow cake and dried tofu on Mingdekou Street. 📍 Afternoon: Continue to explore Zhangjiakou Fort and admire the exquisite Ming and Qing architecture. Then head to the Great Wall Museum to learn about the history and culture of the Great Wall. 📍 Evening: Take a stroll within the scenic area and enjoy the sunset views of Dajingmen and Zhangjiakou Fort. 🚙【Transportation Guide】: 🚗 Self-driving: Navigate to "Dajingmen Scenic Area." From Beijing, take the Jingzang Expressway (G6) to Zhangjiakou City, then follow signs to the scenic area. There are three parking lots around the area for convenient parking. 🚎 Public Transport: Public transport is a convenient option to reach Dajingmen. Take bus routes 3 or 32 within the city to Dajingmen Station, then walk a few minutes to the entrance. Visitors from Beijing can take the high-speed train to Zhangjiakou Station, then transfer to a bus or taxi to the scenic area, about a 2-hour journey in total. 🔴【Notes】: ⏳ Opening Hours: Summer: 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM (Great Wall area open 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, ticket sales stop at 4:00 PM, wall entrance closes at 5:00 PM) Winter: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM 💰 Ticket Prices: Dajingmen is free to enter; Mingdekou Street and Zhangjiakou Fort are free to visit; Great Wall Museum ticket is 20 RMB per person.