[2025 Yulin Attraction] Travel Guide for Zhenbei Terrace (Updated Mar)

North of Yulin city, Shaanxi province is a historical masterpiece well worth visiting. Located on the summit of the Red Mountain, Zhenbeitai Terrace is the historical testimony of the favorable peripheral environment between Mongolian people and Han people during the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644). Zhenbei Terrace is just what the name implies: holding the north in awe. It is the largest watch tower of the Ming Great Wall, from which you can see the beacon fires and the partly hidden and partly visible earthen ruins of the Wall. #zhenbei #yulin #shaanxi

Here's a travel guide to Zhenbeitai Fortress: Overview Zhenbeitai Fortress, situated atop Hongshan Mountain, 4 km north of Yulin City, Shaanxi Province, is one of the grandest structures among the Ming Dynasty Great Wall ruins. It's known as one of the "Three Wonders of the Great Wall of China" (Shanhaiguan Pass in the east, Zhenbeitai Fortress in the middle, and Jiayuguan Fort in the west) and the "First Fortress of the Great Wall." Architectural Features - Layout: Zhenbeitai Fortress is square, with 4 levels, over 30m high. It's built with brick and stone on the outside and rammed earth on the inside. The structure tapers from a large base to a smaller top, with each level receding inwards. Each level is encased in blue brick, and the top outer side has a brick parapet about 2m high, with lookout openings. All levels are interconnected. - Details: The first level is the base, covering an area of 5,056 sq m. The inner wall is 5.5m high, and the outer wall is 10m high. There's a city gate on the south side of the east wall and a brick and stone ramp on the southeast inner side. The second level is 16.6m high, with an arched gateway in the middle of the south wall. Inside, brick and stone steps lead directly to the third level. The horizontal inscription above the arched gateway reads "Xiang Ming" (Towards Brightness). Main Attractions - Kuangong City: Located on the east side of Zhenbeitai Fortress, this was the place where Mongolian and Han officials met, negotiated, and held tribute-paying ceremonies. The city has an irregular rectangular layout, with higher ground in the west and lower ground in the east. It covers a total area of 33,000 sq m. The north wall is shared with the Great Wall, and there are two city gates. - Yima City: Located 800m southwest of Zhenbeitai Fortress, this city was a site for free trade between the Mongolian and Han people, and a historical testament to their peaceful coexistence. Only the earthen walls remain now. It has a quadrilateral layout, with a stone gate on the south side. The perimeter is 1,060m, and the walls are made of rammed earth. There are two gates, one on the south and one on the north. - Yulin Ming Great Wall: Stretching from Shuijingying in the east to Huamachi in the west, with Zhenbeitai Fortress as its center, the Yulin section of the Ming Great Wall extends across one city, two districts, and three counties of Yulin, with a total length of 1,770 *li*. Along the wall, there are numerous structures, including garrison towns, forts, walled villages, and enemy towers. (*Li* is a traditional Chinese unit of length.) Travel Tips - Transportation: You can fly to Yulin Yuyang Airport and then transfer to local transportation. Alternatively, you can take the train to Yulin Railway Station and then take bus routes 10, 15, 20, or 25 directly to Zhenbeitai Fortress. - Tickets: The ticket price is CNY 30. Free admission for seniors over 60. - Opening Hours: 7:30am–7:30pm. - Local Cuisine: Enjoy local specialties such as Hengshan mutton, lamb offal, Xiangshui frozen tofu, and Hengshan mixed noodles.

Zhenbeitai Great Wall Scenic Area is a 3A-level tourist attraction located in the north of Yulin City. It is a cultural and natural landscape composed of Zhenbeitai, the Ming Great Wall, Kuangong City, Yima City, the Loess Plateau, and the Maowusu Desert. Zhenbeitai in the scenic area is an important part of the Great Wall, a world cultural heritage site, and a national key cultural relic protection unit. Built in 1607 (the 35th year of the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty), it is the first of the 48 towers in the nine towns along the Ming Great Wall. It is known as the first tower of the Great Wall and is one of the largest existing frontier fortresses along the ancient Great Wall. Climbing Zhenbeitai, you can enjoy the scenery of the frontier and experience the culture of the Great Wall. The scenery of northern Shaanxi is full of grandeur and ruggedness, and I seem to see the scene of soldiers guarding the frontier and defending the country against foreign enemies in the past.

Explore the charm of Yulin, Xi'an, and Ganquan in the warm winter sun. This 6-day itinerary will take you through history and nature. Check out this guide now! . 🏃Itinerary: Day 1: Zhenbeitai Great Wall Scenic Area -> Yulin Ancient City Visit the Great Wall and explore the ancient city to experience the weight of history. Day 2: Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River in Shaanxi -> Bell and Drum Tower Square Admire the spectacular waterfall and visit the Bell and Drum Towers to experience the charm of the ancient capital. Day 3: Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum (Terracotta Warriors) -> Huaqing Palace -> North Square of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda -> Great Tang All Day Mall Travel back in time to visit the mausoleum of Emperor Qinshihuang and the Terracotta Warriors, then visit Huaqing Palace, and experience the prosperity of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and Great Tang All Day Mall at night. Day 4: Daci'en Temple -> Xi'an Museum -> Yongxingfang Visit Daci'en Temple, learn about the history and culture of Xi'an, and enjoy authentic food in Yongxingfang. Day 5: Ganquan Grand Canyon -> Zaoyuan Revolutionary Site -> Yangjialing Revolutionary Site Visit the natural wonders of Ganquan Grand Canyon, trace the history of the revolution, and relive the red memories. Day 6: Tongwan City National Archaeological Site Park Explore the ancient civilization of Tongwan City and end this journey full of historical charm. . Essentials: 🧳 👔 Clothing: Thick coat, long pants, thermal underwear. The temperature difference between Yulin and Xi'an is large, and you need to keep warm in Ganquan Grand Canyon. 🎒 Accessories: Sneakers, sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen, and a camera to capture the beautiful scenery. 🆔 ID and others: ID card, cash, water, and snacks to replenish energy. . The charm of Yulin, the ancient sites of Xi'an, and the tranquility of Ganquan will leave you with many beautiful memories. We look forward to seeing you again!

|The First Tower of the Great Wall. Zhenbeitai is located north of Yulin City. It is one of the most magnificent buildings among the ruins of the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty and is known as "The First Tower of the Great Wall." It is built on a mountain and is square in shape, with four floors and a height of more than 30 meters. The base of the tower is 82 meters long in the north, 76 meters long in the south, and 64 meters long in the east and west, with a floor area of 5,056 square meters. Each floor has defensive facilities such as lookout holes and shooting holes. Climbing the tower, you can enjoy the scenery inside and outside the Great Wall. Zhenbeitai is not only a military fortress that witnessed the beacon years of ancient border defense, but also has high historical and cultural value, showing the wisdom and creativity of the ancient working people. It has now become a landmark attraction in Yulin, attracting many tourists to visit. 📍Address: North of Yulin City. 🎫Tickets: Around CNY 20, subject to actual conditions. 🕙Opening hours: Peak season 8:00–18:00, off season 8:30–17:30. 🚗Transportation: Accessible by bus or taxi in the city. 🌟Travel tips: Zhenbeitai is known as "The First Tower of the Great Wall." It is recommended to visit in the morning when the sun is shining, which is suitable for taking photos. Visit from the ground floor to the top floor to feel the vicissitudes of history, and climb the tower to overlook the magnificent mountains and rivers. There are attractions such as Hongshixia nearby, which can be visited together. After the tour, you can taste Yulin's special food nearby, such as lamb offal and pin san xian, and start a Yulin food tour.

National Day travel to Yulin, let me introduce a great place to enhance your National Day travel experience - Zhenbeitai. Zhenbeitai is located on the top of Hongshan, about 4 kilometers north of the city center in Yuyang District, Yulin City, Shaanxi Province, and is also the first choice for weekend getaways. Zhenbeitai was a product of the 'Longqing Negotiations' and 'Peaceful Border Trade' during the Ming Dynasty, serving as a historical witness to the 'Mongol-Han Unity' and the creation of a peaceful border environment. It was mainly used to monitor the tribute trade situation along the Great Wall. When you climb up to Zhenbeitai and look out, you will surely be captivated by the distant landscape, making you hesitate to leave. Zhenbeitai was built on the summit of Hongshan, north of Yulin City, occupying a strategic position overlooking the surrounding area, controlling the throat of the north and south. It is one of the most magnificent and imposing structures among the Ming Great Wall relics, and together with Shanhaiguan and Jiayuguan, it is known as one of the three wonders of the Great Wall. Historians have praised it as the 'Number One Terrace of the Great Wall'. In the thirty-fifth year of the Wanli era (1607), the governor of Yansui, Tu Zongjun (a native of Nanchang, Jiangxi), built Zhenbeitai at the southwest corner of Kuangong City to facilitate the observation of enemy situations and border trade. The two-story structure has stone plaques inscribed by Tu Zongjun himself on the south and north sides, reading 'Xiangming' and 'Zhenbeitai', expressing the loyalty of the border guards to the Ming court, thereby further demonstrating the might of the great northern frontier.

There is not only magnificent natural wind here. Yulin 3 days and 2 nights travel guide Yulin, a city full of history and cultural heritage, has rich tourism resources. There is not only magnificent natural scenery here, but also a profound historical and cultural heritage. Let us embark on a three-day trip to Yulin and experience the charm of this city! Day 1: Hongshi Gorge and Zhenbeitai In the morning, we first came to Hongshi Gorge, where there are inscriptions by ancient literati and grotto art from the Song and Yuan dynasties, as if telling ancient stories. In the afternoon, we will go to Zhenbeitai, where you can enjoy a broad view and overlook a section of the Great Wall, which is refreshing. Day 2: Yulin Ancient City and Confucius Temple Food Street In the morning, we strolled in Yulin Ancient City and felt the ancient atmosphere of the city. The six ancient attics here are located in the old street, which is accessible to both people and vehicles, and has a unique flavor. In the afternoon, we will come to Confucius Temple Food Street, where prices are a little high, but the variety of food is rich and mouth-watering. In addition, there are free attractions such as the Dodo Art Museum, the Abacus Museum and the Folk Museum for you to visit. Day 3: Mahuangliang Loess Geological Park On the last day, we will go to Mahuangliang Loess Geological Park to appreciate the unique geological features of northern Shaanxi with gullies and ravines. This is also the only geological park in the country where you can enjoy both loess geological relics and desert landforms. The Yellow River ferry in the drama "Ghost Blows Out the Light: The Lost Tomb of Dragon Ridge" was filmed here, and the scenery is magnificent. Food: In Yulin, you should never miss local specialties such as stewed lamb in iron pot, braised lamb trotters, Qingjian pancakes, lamb offal, and three fresh delicacies. Remember to save your stomach and enjoy the delicious feast here. 🍖🍕 Tips: Yulin has a large temperature difference, so remember to bring a thick coat; There are many windy and sandy days, so it is better to prepare a mask; The ultraviolet rays are strong, so be sure to take sun protection measures; Check the amount of food before ordering to avoid wasting too much. 🧤PPE This trip to Yulin is over. I hope you can leave good memories here! ️