Andi

Chinese: 岸底
Pinyin: Àn dǐ
English: Bottom of bank
Coordinates: 37°59'44"N 113°53'27"E

Andi is an auxiliary or supporting Great Wall location far south of the main line of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall near the border of Hebei Province and Shanxi Province. It was built in 1541.

The pass at Andi provides additional protection for the important pass at Niangziguan.

What's most interesting about this location is the way the design of the fortification uses minimum effort for maximum effectiveness. About 1280 meters (4200 feet) southeast of Andi village, the builders simply used a short span of wall to span a narrow valley between two mountains, making a large effective barrier with a short wall. The wall is only about 35 meters (115 feet) long and has an arched gate near its center. The wall is very sturdy and is about 6 meters (20 feet) high and 6 meters (20 feet) wide.

The pass at Andi
Photo by Kim Siefert

The pass is protected by towers on both sides. About one kilometer south of the pass, at the top of a steep mountain with an elevation of 680 meters (2230 feet), there is a beacon tower in good condition. This tower commands a great view and in clear weather, you can see all the way to Niangziguan. About half a kilometer (a third of a mile) north of the pass, there is another tower on the top of a somewhat smaller mountain.

The nearest wall to Andi pass is about 1.75 kilometers (1.1 miles) to the east. There are also walls about 2.9 kilometers (1.8 miles) to the west. All of the walls in this area were built of stone during the Ming Dynasty, and are mostly highly deteriorated.

About 300 meters (1000 feet) southeast of the pass is a huge stone cave which was created by enlarging a smaller natural cave. The cave is said to have been the living quarters for the builders of the pass and the surrounding towers.

Location summary: Andi is about 303 kilometers (188 miles) southwest of downtown Beijing. Like Zijingguan, Andi is southwest of Beijing, but the distance is much greater. It's located about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) northwest of the small village of Wangjiayancun. It is about 1280 meters (4200 feet) southeast of Andi village.

Driving directions: From Beijing, drive southwest on G030 (G4) for about 57 kilometers (35 miles) from the 5th ring road. Turn right on Langzhuo Expressway and drive west for about 27 kilometers (17 miles). Continue onto C5 and drive for about 240 kilometers (150 miles). Turn right on S315 and drive for 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) to Mianhe.