Why is the North Platform of Yulin Town called the "First Platform of the Great Wall"? "Check in China" Visiting Team to Explore Border | Thailand | The Great Wall of China
On July 13th, more than ten bloggers and international students from countries such as Pakistan, Romania, Myanmar, Mexico, Nicaragua, Thailand, Tunisia, and Vietnam, as well as Beijing Foreign Studies University, arrived at Beitai in Yulin Town, known as the "first platform of the Great Wall", to climb the highest platform together and experience the magnificent spirit of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall.
"Check in China - Hello, Shaanxi!" The visiting delegation took a group photo at Zhenbeitai
"Why is Zhenbeitai called the 'First Great Wall of Ten Thousand Miles'? What is its purpose?" Xu Enfeng, from Thailand, came to Yulin for the first time and was curious about this building before climbing onto Zhenbeitai. When she climbed onto the grand and fully functional Zhenbei Platform, she found the answer.
Zhenbeitai was built from April of the 35th year of the Wanli reign to July of the 36th year of the Wanli reign. It is a product of the Ming Dynasty's "Longqing Peace Negotiations" and "Peaceful Trade", as well as a historical witness to the "Han Mongolian family" and the creation of a peaceful border environment. It has made special contributions to the development of border trade and ethnic integration in the Ming Dynasty.
The visiting delegation arrived all the way to the Qiangong City ruins located in the northwest corner of Zhenbeitai. Qiangong City has a rigorous structure, clever layout, and magnificent architecture, making it the largest architectural complex on the entire Great Wall at that time.
The Ruins of Qiangong City
Nguyen Shih Ching, a "internet celebrity" from Vietnam, recorded a video while walking. She mentioned, "The walls of Nguyen Kung City look very tall from the outside, giving people a strong sense of oppression. But now when I walk in, the height of the walls I see inside is much lower than what I see from the outside. The top of the walls is ten percent spacious, and it can also directly reach the top of the walls, making me feel that ancient Chinese people had very advanced design concepts and strong wisdom."
Asma and Marian from Tunisia take a photo at the top of the town's north platform
Climbing to the highest level of the north platform of the town, one can take a panoramic view of the vast and boundless desert to the north, the ancient city's new beauty to the south, the sand dunes and vegetation to the west, and the terraces and lakes to the east. The Great Wall meanders and stretches to the east, and inside and outside the Great Wall, there are magnificent cities and beautiful scenery on the fortress, providing a panoramic view.
"The highest floor of Zhenbeitai is an excellent place to enjoy the scenery, where you can have a panoramic view of the surrounding scenery and the air is also very good. After arriving here, I learned that the Great Wall is not only found in Beijing, but also in Yulin. Moreover, the entire site also made me feel very shocked. Everyone must come and see its charm with their own eyes if they have the opportunity," said Xu Enfeng.
Zhenbeitai
It is understood that Zhenbei Terrace, together with Shanhaiguan, Juyongguan, and Jiayuguan, is known as the "Three Passes and One Terrace". As the largest pier type building in the Great Wall, it is also the only remaining largest military observation post and command post in the Great Wall. Moreover, because Zhenbei Platform not only has the functions of garrison, observation, message transmission, and combat, but also has the largest scale along the entire Great Wall, it has won the reputation of being the first platform of the Great Wall for thousands of miles.
Climbing down from the highest level of Zhenbeitai, the visiting team members were still immersed in the beautiful scenery and shock just now. Everyone expressed that at the moment they climbed to the highest level of Zhenbeitai, they instantly understood why Zhenbeitai was known as the "first tower of the Great Wall".
Nowadays, Zhenbeitai is no longer a military facility, but has left a precious historical and cultural heritage for Yulin and even the whole country, while also writing a touching story of the progress and development of Chinese civilization.
