Jiayuguan Great Wall

Brief Introduction

Jiayuguan Pass of Great Wall was built in 1372 during the Ming Dynasty. It is the first pass at the west end of the Ming Great Wall. The pass is the most magnificent and the best preserved ancient military fortresses among the passes of the China Great Wall. It is also the vital pass on the ancient Silk Road.

Connection

History

Jiayuguan Pass of Great Wall was built in 1372 during the Ming Dynasty. It took 168 years to complete and became a complete defense system. A legend says that the the official in charge with the project asked the designer to estimate the number of bricks that would be used. The designer gave him a specific number. When the project was finished, only one brick was left which was put on the top of the pass.

Construction

Jiayuguan Pass is suited 6 kilometers southwest of Jiayuguan City. It was built at the foot of Jiayu Hill, so got the name. The Pass is located at the narrowest point of the western section of the Hexi Corridor. It is the must passed point of the ancient Silk Road. Jiayuguan Pass consists of three defense lines, inner city, outer city and moat. It is one beacon fire for each 2.5 kilometers, one beacon tower for each 5 kilometers, one fortress for each 15 kilometers and one city for each 50 kilometers, forming a military defense system.
The inner city is the main main construction. Covering an area of more than 33,500 square meters, it is trapezoid-shaped with a perimeter of 733 meters. The city wall is 11 meters high. The city has each gate on the east side and the west side, named "Guanghua Gate" and "Rouyuan Rouyuan Gate" respectively. The two gates are protected by wengcheng (barbican entrance), which connects with the inner city in a zigzag way.
There is a turret on each corner of the pass. On the walls there are 14 pavilions. The main attractions in the inner city consists of General's Mansion, the Well Pavilion, and Wenchang Pavilion. There is a Guandi Temple, a series of grand archways and a theater tower outside the eastern gate.

Related Topic

Jiayuguan Great Wall Map

Open time

8:30-18:30

Transportation

There is no bus to Jiayuguan Pass. Please take a taxi or rent a car directly.

Ticket

120 RMB