Beijing and China Tour Expert

Yanmenguan Pass of Great Wall

  • Yanmenguan Pass is one of the most famous passes in the Great Wall system of China. With a history spanning over thousands of years, it has witnessed countless historical events and has been an important military and cultural landmark.

Profile

  • ID : 219
  • City : Datong
  • English name : Yanmenguan Great Wall
  • Chinese name : 雁门关长城
  • Type :
  • Level : standard
  • Kids : possible
  • Elders: possible
  • Best season : Spring, Summer, Autumn
  • Visiting length : 2-3 hours
  • Distance to city center : 97 km

Introduction

    • Yanmenguan Pass is located in Dai Country, Xinzhou City of Shanxi Province. Also know as Yanmensai or Xixingguan, it is one of three outer passes alone the great wall. The other two are Ningwuguan Pass and Pianguan Pass. Yanmenguan Pass has an strategic importance. Many famous historical battles occurred here.

Helper to visit Yanmenguan Great Wall

  • Address in English : National Highway 208, Dai Country, Xizhou, Shanxi Province
  • Address in Chinese : 山西省忻州市代县208国道
  • Tel : 86-350-6100519
  • Post code : 34200
  • Ticket time : 8:00-17:30(April 1 to October 31), 08:30-16:30(November 1 to March 31 of next year)
  • Open time : 8:00-18:00(April 1 to October 31), 08:30-17:00(November 1 to March 31 of next year)
  • Closing time :
  • Location : Yanmenguan Great Wall is around 97 km to downtown Datong

    Transportation

    • Take tourist buses from Daixian Bus Station. The departure time is 7:30, 8:30, 9:30, 10:30, 12:00, 13:30, 15:30.
  • Private car is the best method to visit Yanmenguan Great Wall with local tour operator.

Admission

  • high season : 110 RMB/person.
  • shoulder season : 110 RMB/person.
  • low season : 110 RMB/person.

    History

  • Yanmenguan Pass is located on the summit of the Yanmen Mountain. Early in the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC - 476 BC), the King Wuling of Zhao established the Yanmen Country in this region for defense against the Inner Asian nomads. It fell into ruins because of the lack of repair in the Yuan Dynasty (1271 - 1368). At the beginning of the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907), a pass was constructed and called "Yanmenguan Pass".
    The pass was then reconstructed in 1374 during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644).
    In 2001, Yanmenguan Pass was listed as a Key National Cultural Site under national protection.

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      Construction

    • Yanmenguan Pass is made up of Guancheng(Pass City), Wengcheng(Barbican), and Weicheng(Besieged City). The city wall of Guancheng is 10 meters high and 1 kilometer in circumference. The foundation was built with stone. There are crenels on the wall. The pass has three gates: the north gate, the west gate and the east gate. The north gate was built with brick and stone. Three Chinese characters "Yan Men Guan" are inscribed above the lintel in the front. An antithetical couplet is hanging beside the door. The west gate is inscribed with two characters "Di Li(favorable geographic position)". There is a temple on the west gate commemorating General Yang Liulang of the Northern Song (960-1127).
      The east gate is inscribed with"Tian Xian(unbreakable stronghold)". A temple, named 'Jingbianci', was built outside of the east gate commemorating Li Mu, a famous army general during the Period of Warring States (475 - 221 BC).
      In addition, three big stone walls, 25 small stone walls and 18 passes were built outside of the Yanmenguan Pass, forming a strong defence system. Nowadays, only a stone mast, a pair of stone lions, and a number of steles remain.

      Highlights

    • The Main Pass Gate: The imposing gate complex, often restored, marks the entrance to the pass. Imagine armies and traders passing beneath.
      Ming Dynasty Great Wall: Hike along remarkably well-preserved sections of Ming-era brick battlements snaking over the mountain ridges. Experience the Wall's raw power in a dramatic setting.
      Watchtowers (Diaolou): Strategically placed towers offering panoramic views and defensive strongpoints. Climb them for breathtaking vistas.
      Beacon Towers (Feng Huo Tai): Used for signaling with smoke (day) or fire (night) to warn of approaching enemies over vast distances.
      Temples & Shrines: Look for small temples dedicated to Guandi (God of War) or local deities, reflecting the spiritual needs of soldiers stationed here.
      Stelae & Inscriptions: Ancient stone tablets recording repairs, battles, or poems by literati who visited.
      Surrounding Landscape: The rugged beauty of the Hengshan Mountains is integral to the experience, highlighting why this location was so defensible.
      The "First Pass Under Heaven" Title: This moniker underscores its unparalleled strategic value in Chinese history, controlling the most direct and critical route south from the Mongolian plateau. While Shanhaiguan guards the coast, Yanmenguan guarded the vital central mountain corridor.
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