Juyong Pass – the most impregnable pass in the world

The Juyong section of the Great Wall, also known as Juyong Pass, is one of the three greatest passes along the Great Wall in China, alongside Shanhai Pass and Jiayu Pass. Located 60 kilometers north of downtown Beijing, it earned the title of the most impregnable pass in the world due to its strategic importance as the northern direct access to Beijing in ancient times.

The present structure of Juyong Pass was initially built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and underwent multiple reconstructions. One distinctive feature of this section is its circular and enclosed formation.

The area is surrounded by magnificent mountains with lush greenery, creating a beautiful landscape that earned it the name "Juyong Diecui" (layered shades of green at Juyong Pass), which was listed as one of the eight scenic spots of ancient Beijing.

To the west of Juyong Pass stands the Cloud Platform, a white marble structure built in 1342. It was originally constructed to serve as the foundation for three stone pagodas, which were later destroyed. The Buddhist images and scriptures carved on the platform's arch provide important historical materials for the study of Yuan-dynasty Buddhism, ancient writing and cultural exchanges between different ethnic groups.