Cool September breezes make the month ideal for suburban getaways in Beijing. The Juyongguan Great Wall in Changping District has unveiled an upgraded "Night Great Wall 2.0" experience. Check out what's new!

At the Ling'en Hall square (祾恩殿广场) of Changling Tomb, part of the Ming Tombs, the immersive stage play "The Sixteen Emperors of the Ming Dynasty" (大明十六帝) will be performed at 10:00 and 14:00 every Saturday, Sunday, and every day during public holidays through October 7.

This drama weaves together the stories of 16 Ming‑Dynasty emperors from an imperial perspective, condensing 276 years of the dynasty's history onto one stage.

After watching the drama, visitors may take part in a variety of recreational activities, including herb guessing through scents, lacquer‑fan painting, archery, five-in-a-row and Luban‑lock puzzles. For those looking for something "hardcore", a scripted role-playing tour covering the Changling and Dingling tombs is available from Monday to Friday.

After dusk falls, visitors may head to the Juyongguan Great Wall for a time‑travel experience beneath the moonlight. From August 21 to October 6, the site opens from 18:00 to 21:00 every Friday, Saturday and every day during statutory public holidays (except the final day of each holiday period), offering an immersive journey back to a Ming‑Dynasty border pass.

Highlights:

Six gatekeepers guard six checkpoints. Visitors shall earn "yinpiao" (event tokens designed as ancient-style banknotes) through interactions with costumed staff members. Fifteen "yinpiao" grant access to the arena for the evening martial arts competition for marriage.

Ancient‑Style Auction

This event takes place at Ningchang Hall (凝昌馆) from 19:40 to 20:00 each night. Visitors may place bids using "yinpiao". Auction items include creative souvenirs from the scenic area, plush toys, snacks and stationery gift packs.

Sedan Chair Experience

Located 50 meters south of the North Gate Tower (北关城楼), this activity allows children to experience the Ming‑Dynasty tradition of traveling by sedan chair with 10 "yinpiao".

Street‑Side Improvisational Skits

The skit series "Joy of the Martial Arts World" (江湖快意) is staged along the corridor starting from the Ancient Inn (古客栈) to the North Gate Tower at the following slots:

18:45–19:00

19:15–19:30

Ancient‑Style Peddler and Street Acrobatics

From 18:30 to 19:30 along the corridor from the Ancient Inn to the North Gate Tower, an ancient‑style peddler "travels" from ancient times to the present day, carrying a shoulder pole to sell goods and engage in casual conversations with passers‑by.

Martial Arts Competition for Marriage

Held at Ningchang Hall from 20:00 to 20:30 each night, the event is open to visitors who have collected 15 "yinpiao".

Visitors are advised to follow the official WeChat account of the Juyongguan Great Wall (居庸关长城) or check the scenic area's official announcements for the latest updates before their visit. Proper planning will help avoid a wasted trip.

(Source: Official WeChat account of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism)