Manzhicao

Chinese: 蔓枝草
Pinyin: Màn zhī cǎo
English: Long-vine grass
Coordinates: 40°13'6"N 119°48'1"E

Manzhicao is a well-preserved and imposing pass in Liaoning Province near Hebei. From the pass – and the road – the Great Wall rises steeply up on both sides. At the low point, you will find two parallel walls about 30 meters (100 feet) apart which may once have been the walls of a narrow fortress.

Manzhicao
Photo by Kim Siefert

Manzhicao has a defense feature that's rarely seen on the Great Wall. On the top (walking) surface of the Great Wall, inclines have a series of level terraces separated by large steps of varying heights of approximately one to two meters (three to six feet). Climbing these high steps was enabled via normal flights of approximately six to eight steps which were placed on alternating sides of the Great Wall. This makes climbing up and down the incline difficult to do in a hurry.

Alternating steps at Manzhicao
Photo by Kim Siefert

Location summary: Manzhicao is located in Suizhong County, Liaoning Province and is about 293 kilometers (182 miles) east of downtown Beijing. It is about 5.5 kilometers (3.4 miles) northeast of Zhuizishan. The path of the Great Wall from Zhuizishan to Manzhicao is about 7 kilometers (4.4 miles). There are many gaps in this span where the mountainous geography was considered an adequate natural barrier.

Manzhicao
Photo by Kim Siefert

Driving directions: From Shanhaiguan, drive northeast on the G102 National Road for 23.2 kilometers (14.4 miles). Turn left at Xicaiyuan and drive northwest on Qianda Line for 23.5 kilometers (14.6 miles) to Beihe. Continue for about for 500 meters (1640 feet). Manzhicao will be on your right.