East Wall at Juyongguan Pass

The East Wall is the "easy mode" of Juyongguan, but not without its challenges. If the western line is known for its steepness and demands physical endurance, the eastern one is considered more gentle and shorter. However, this does not mean there are no difficulties here at all: the first ascent from the lake is the steepest on the entire eastern route, and it is precisely this that sets the tone for the whole journey.

The lake and the pavilions on its shore

The eastern route begins not with the wall, but with water. Entering through the South Gate and turning east, the first thing you see is a reservoir created on the site of an ancient riverbed that once passed through the pass fortress.

Here also stands the Water Gate — a unique structure where the Great Wall of China crosses a water stream. The two-span arched construction with a sluice tower served to control the water level: it accumulated water during dry periods and released it when there was a threat of flooding. This is one of the few walls in the world built directly over water, and perhaps the most photogenic part of the eastern section.

On the shore of the lake, at the foot of the eastern slope, stands a group of pavilions — Changduan. This is not a single gazebo, but a whole ensemble: two square quadrangular gazebos and one hexagonal one in the center, connected by painted galleries. The name can be translated as "Pavilions of the Long and the Short," and this is a quiet place by the water, from where an excellent view opens onto the reservoir and the South Tower on the opposite shore. It is pleasant to take your first shots here before starting the ascent.

The ascent: from the water to the West Wall at Juyongguan Pass

From the lake and the pavilions begins the first and steepest section of the eastern route. The path goes up through dense greenery, and almost immediately it becomes clear: the "gentle" eastern wall is a relative concept. The steps here are high and in places uneven, but walking on them is still easier than on the western "Hero Slope."

The first landmark is the fifth watchtower. This is exactly where you arrive after the ascent from the reservoir. From here a view opens onto the lake below and the valley, and the tower itself serves as a good point for a breather. Further, the path goes up and north, to the Eastern Arrow Tower — the highest point of the eastern section.

Along the way you pass the fourth and third watchtowers. The third tower is a special place: from here the best view opens onto railway line S2, that very "spring commuter train" which in late March and April passes through the blossoming gorge. The train appears from a tunnel under the wall and goes straight through the valley — a shot for which many people come specifically to the eastern line.

Further, the route goes down: the second and first watchtowers, then the North Tower with the sign "He who has not ascended the Great Wall of China is not a hero." From the North Tower it is a stone`s throw to the Cloud Platform and the exit to Parking Lot No. 1.

Where the East Wall of Juyongguan Pass ends

The East Wall ends at the North Tower (also called the North Gate Tower). This is the official endpoint of the eastern route and the completion of the entire eastern loop. Having reached the North Tower, you effectively return to the central part of the pass: to the south, on foot, you can reach the Cloud Platform — that very white marble platform of the Yuan era — and further on is Parking Lot No. 1 and the exit from the complex. In other words, the East Wall is not a dead end, but part of a circular route: you begin by the water near the South Gate, walk along the eastern ridge, and in the end come out on the northern side of the pass.

Practical information

• Time en route: about 1 hour at a calm pace for the eastern loop. If you watch the train and often stop for photos — it may take up to an hour and a half. 
• Difficulty: low, with the exception of the first ascent from the lake. This section may be steep, but it is short. The East Wall is suitable for families with children, elderly people, and those who are not confident in their strength. 
• What to see: the Water Gate, the Changduan pavilions by the lake, the fifth tower (view of the reservoir), the third tower (view of the S2 train), the North Tower with the sign. 
• What to take: non-slip footwear, water, a hat. There are small shops on the East Wall, but it is better not to rely on them as the only source of water.

The East Wall of Juyongguan Pass is a "warm-up" before the western one, but it should not be underestimated. The first ascent from the lake to the fifth tower sets the right mood: you immediately understand that the wall is not a stroll, but a journey. And the view of the train passing through the gorge and the panorama of the lake from above make this journey memorable.