The place workers pass and live is so-called “Juyong”. It is said that long long ago, when the first emperor decided to construct the Great Wall, he chose this area as the habitation of workers. But early in warring states period, there was a saying of Juyong, which appreciated it as the “first pass in the world”. Anyway, nowadays we viewed the Pass mostly as “one of the three greatest mountain passes of the Great Wall of China”. It is not until the Southern and Northern Dynasties era, however, that the Pass was connected to the Great Wall.
That is Juyongguan, one of the most important sites in Beijing. Everyone views climbing this section of the Great Wall as things they must do in their lives. So do us. Thus, in October 24, 2014, we visited this pass with foreign professors.
It was a great journey. The pass stood in the valley of the mountains; hence it was not a surprise that the road was steep. Our teachers walked in two and three, talking about what they have met in their colorful lives. The atmosphere in Juyong soon let them get familiar with each other, regardless their backgrounds and regions. Gust has come directly from Siberia, blowing our bonnets and fedoras. It was just time to make friends and drink wines.
“It’s hard to think that Manchu army can enter this pass”. A teacher whispered when she was surveyed the hilly area beyond the Great Wall. Those emperors who were sleeping in the Tombs beside Juyong would agree with these words if they were still alive, but facts have taught them it was not the truth. “When all the support was giving up, how could a pass forbid the insult of invaders?” Hundreds of years ago, a poet who have just escaped from the new ruler and fled to those hilly areas sighed. “It’s hard to think that Manchu army can enter this pass”. We tried our best to convey these feelings to our foreign companions, but it was a mystery how they would feel after catching this great sight.
But the beauty of the Great Wall soon drove away consolation. We were all immersed in the great and green highlands beyond the pass. And we saw portals. The arched portals were the place where people, carts, horsemen, and palanquins could pass through. We were astonishing about the images of people and animals carved inside the arched gate tunnel and around the portal.Cloud Platform gate, also known as the "Crossing Street Tower" was also a great site to visit. Walking along the tunnel, we talked about the long history of this unique country.
“Man’s flight through life is controlled by the power of his knowledge.” After hearing all kinds of stories about this pass, a professor quoted. He was moved by the beauty of the pass, and the legends about the Great Wall. And another professor concluded, “That’s why I love China. There are thousands of stories waiting to be talked about.”
