The Wild & Ruined Badaling at Shixiaguan

Shixiaguan (Stone Gorge) Pass, 5km southwest of the Badaling section of the Great Wall, is one of the most intact parts of the whole Great Wall. In spite of serious damage, the winding wall set in the lofty mountains reveals its grandeur. However, a castle in Shixiaguan was pulled down during the Great Leap Forward. Nevertheless, the wall remains relatively intact because of its strategic location. Shixiaguan Pass was originally built in the reign of Ming Emperor Wanli (about 1600 AD), which was then a key pass guarded by a large number of soldiers. There are sites such as official residences, the ancient castle, clay walls and brick walls in the village. Most of the villagers know stories about the site as well as the Great Wall.

One of the tales is about the peasant's uprising during the Ming Dynasty. After the founding of Dashun State in Xi'an in 1644 during the reign of Ming Emperor Chongzhen, Li Zicheng was the leader of the peasants from northern Shaanxi Province, who wanted to overthrow the emperors and the Ming Dynasty. Li led his army east to Badaling Pass. While the rebels were trying to think of a way to occupy Badaling Pass, an old man advised them to pretend to lead the army to Shixiaguan Pass. The general of the official army in Badaling was cheated into going to Shixiaguan Pass, which gave Li the opportunity to enter Beijing through Badaling successfully. Emperor Chongzhen committed suicide, ending the Ming Dynasty. Li proclaimed himself Emperor of the Shun Dynasty which was short-lived, as about a month later, his army was defeated by the Manchus, who established the Qing Dynasty.