Zhenbeitai, “Pacify the North Terrace,” is the largest single watchtower on the entire Great Wall. Built in 1607, this four-story structure stands 30 meters tall and served as both a military observation post and a diplomatic reception hall for Mongol envoys.

Located near Yulin in the Loess Plateau, it marks the point where the Great Wall transitions from brick-and-stone construction to the rammed earth walls of the western frontier.

Yanchi Fort guarded the valuable salt lakes of the Ningxia region, a crucial economic resource. The fort and its associated wall segments were built to protect salt caravans from nomadic raids. Today, the rammed earth ruins stand in isolation amid the desert landscape.

The Dajinshan (Big Gold Mountain) Tower sits at the highest point of the Jinshanling section, offering 360-degree views of the wall stretching in both directions. On a clear day, you can see Simatai to the east and Gubeikou to the west.