The city of Zhangjiakou is the northern gateway to Beijing. Dajing Gate, which is found inside the city, is one of the four main gates of the Great Wall of China as well as the backdrop of the Pingjin Campaign, one of the three major battles of the Chinese Civil War. Nuanquan Ancient Town to the south of Zhangjiakou is renowned for “dashuhua” (lit. “beating tree flowers”). This Lunar New Year celebration activity originating in the Ming dynasty involves the splashing of molten iron against the city walls, generating explosive and magnificent fireworks. Traces of rust that date back five centuries can still be seen on the wall of the town’s Northern Official’s Fort.
When it comes to the most treacherous part of the Great Wall, the Simatai section near Miyun County in Beijing certainly claims the throne. Embedded into precipitous cliffs, its mere sight strikes fear into one’s heart. Meanwhile, orphaned sections of the Great Wall in remote areas depend on a guardian for protection. Liang Qingli’s ancestors were involved in the construction of a section of the Great Wall, and he has inherited their will to guard it.
In Beijing, we will appreciate the craftsmanship of Imperial Embroidery. Beijing Embroidery artisan Jin Xin once assisted the Capital Museum/Palace Museum in recreating the coat worn by Empress Dowager Xiaojing on her wedding. In front of the Forbidden City lies Tian’anmen Square, the place where the founding of the nation was announced in 1949.

Producer: Tsang Chor-sun