The Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty - Dushikou Fortress

Dushikou Fortress is located in Dushikou Town, northern Chicheng County, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province, 45 kilometers south of the county seat. It is known as the 'natural barrier of the northern frontier' and named Dushikou because of a large solitary stone south of the town. It was one of the important passes during the Ming Dynasty. 'Da Ning has no road to aid Kaiping, the northernmost solitary county is Dushikou.' This is how the Ming Dynasty poet Yin Geng described Dushikou. Due to its strategic importance, Dushikou Pass is praised as 'the throat of ancient times and the right arm of the capital.' Dushikou Fortress is built between the Huanglong River and the Qinglong River, with Zhizhu Mountain to the north, and is also known as 'Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl.' In the Ming Dynasty, Dushikou was a crucial point in the Xuanfu of the nine borders and an important pass of the Great Wall, being the closest route for the nomadic tribes of the Mongolian Plateau to enter the Central Plains. Therefore, Dushikou Fortress became the first barrier to resist Mongolian cavalry and protect the Central Plains. Dushikou Fortress and its Great Wall were built in the fifth year of the Xuande period of the Ming Dynasty. After experiencing multiple wars and destructions, it was repaired many times. Now, overall, the southern wall is relatively well-preserved, while other walls and gates are severely damaged. The Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty - Dushikou Fortress is a cultural relic protection unit in Hebei Province. Dushikou Fortress is open to the public free of charge all year round. Transportation route: Due to its distance from the urban area, no public transportation is available. It is recommended to drive there.