Jiayuguan Pass - Greatest Pass of the Ancient Great Wall

During the early period after the establishment of Ming Dynasty, the remnant armies of Yuan Empire and Turpan constantly invaded Hexi Corridor area. The general Feng Sheng was ordered to construct a defensive pass to protect from the invasion from Yuan and Turpan. He chose the Jiayu Mountain as the final siting where is easy to hold but hard to be defeated. The construction started in the year 1372, and completed quickly as the first-stage project which consisted of several ramparts surrounded by some barracks. The subsequent construction costed 168 years to complete and finally became the western starting point of the Great Wall of Ming Dynasty.

Even though the walls and towers were partly damaged by natural infestation and wars, the Jiayuguan Pass is still the most intact surviving ancient military building. Several restorations had been conducted to protect the civil engineering structure of its fort, towers and walls. But travelers can still see many of its original face.

Inner City

The inner city has a layout of trapezoid with a wall which is 11 meters high and 640 meters long. It was used as the third bulwark against enemies. Two meristic gates, Rou Yuan Men and Guang Hua Men, were built in the western and eastern side. Towers for guarding and command were built on the walls. The central area of the inner city locates the office of the commander and a Guanyu Memorial Temple. There are bridleways for carrying horses to the city wall.

Outer City

The outer city played as the second bulwark against enemies. Unlike the inner wall which was built by loess, the outer city has the strongest wall which was built by bricks and connected to Great Wall. A striking plaque was inserted on the wall above the gate.

Moat and Battlefield

A deep moat encircles the Jiayuguan Fort outside the outer city. In front of the fort, only 50 meters away from the gate is the ancient battlefield which have witnessed hundreds of heart-stopping combats.

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Learn about the glorious history in the Great Wall Museum

Before entering the fortress, take a short visit to the Great Wall Mesum to learn some interesting facts about both the Jiayuguan Fort and Great Wall, including history, old photos, relics, etc.

Riding a camel like ancient traveler did

Just in front of the back gate, you can find many locals offering chances to ride a camel or just take photos with the camels. Don’t be afraid of the camels, they are very meek. A local will lead your way.

Exciting Four-wheel Motor Riding

If you want to take looks at the Jiayuguan Pass from Gobi desert, or go to experience the vast and desolate landscape of Gobi, you can try the exciting four-wheel motor riding.

Similar exciting outdoor activity is to glide and enjoy the views of Jiayuguan Pass in the air.

Recommended tour packages including Danxia Park

>> 6 Days Hexi Corridor Discovery Tour
(Lanzhou - Zhangye - Jiayuguan - Dunhuang)

>> 9 Days Ancient Silk Road Treasure Tour
(Tianshui - Lanzhou - Zhangye - Jiayuguan - Dunhuang)

>> 10 Days Gansu Highlights Tour from Xining
(Xining - Tongren - Xiahe - Lanzhou - Zhangye - Jiayuguan - Dunhuang)

Overhanging Great Wall (Xuanbi Great Wall)

The Overhanging Great Wall, also known as the Xuanbi Great Wall. It is 8 kilometers away from the Jiayuguan Pass Fort and 14 kilometers from the city. In the ancient time, it was a part of the Jiayuguan Pass, and was connected with the fort. More than 460 years later, most sections of the walls have disappeared. The remaining section is 750 meters long, rising up 150 meters and hanging on a cliffy mountain. Unlike the walls in Beijing, it was constructed by loess because this area is lack of water. Hiking up the Great Wall takes only about a half hour.

The First Mound of Great Wall

The First Mound of Great Wall, also known as The First Strategic Post of the Great Wall on Tripadvisor.com. Jiayuguan Pass is the western starting point of the Great Wall, while this site is the westernmost starting point of the Great Wall as a part of the Jiayuguan Pass. It is a mound of yellow loess which is believed to the remaining ruin of a watching tower of ancient Great Wall. While the walls connected to the tower had been disappeared currently. To visit the First Mound of Great Wall, you have to transfer 7.5 kilometers from the Jiayuguan Pass Fort.

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The most recommended way is to take a taxi to the Pass, which costs about 15~30 RMB. Recently, rent a car is also very popular. It costs about 150~200 RMB, covering all the transfer from your hotel to the Fort, Overhanging Great Wall and the First Mound of Great Wall. Public bus No. 4 and No.6 also can take you to the Fort.

Travel with China Discovery

If you want to get rid of hustle of public transportation and troublesome navigation, you can book a private tour package with us which covers sightseeing, dining and transfer. Our local tour guide and driver will take care of all the details. You just need to focus on sightseeing.

Usually, one or two days are enough to cover most of the highlights in Jiayuguan, which include the unmissable Jiayuguan Pass Scenic Area, the Xuanbi Great Wall, the First Beacon Tower Relic of the Great Wall(the first strategic post), and the Wei-Jin Tombs. All of these attractions are reachable by car from Jiayuguan Downtown within half an hour.

From Jiayuguan, you can extend your trip to Dunhuang, Zhangye, and Lanzhou (Capital city of Gansu Province), and even to Turpan, Urumqi of Xinjiang.

★ Top-Recommended Jiayuguan Tour

>>6 Days Hexi Corridor Discovery Tour(Zhangye/Jiayuguan/Dunhuang)

>>4 Days Jiayuguan Dunhuang Tour (Silk Road Short Break)

>> 2 Days Jiayuguan Cultural Highlights Tour

Travel Jiayuguan with China Discovery

Want to travel in and around Jiayuguan and don't know how to arrange your day by day itinerary? In every city, our professional local guide and driver will escort you from your hotel, train station, airport to all attractions with comfortable private car with speed and convenience and let you catch the highlights of every site and city, so you can get really relaxed on the way and focus on what you are interested. The tour can be tailor made according to your plan, time and interests and demands. If you are interested, please do not hesitate to contact us and tell us your needs, and we will customize a memorable tour for you!

We have helped many global travelers enjoy their memorable wonderful trips to Gansu for the past few years. Among them, Marcin and his friends traveled with us and spent 13-Day to explore the Silk Road from Lanzhou to Kashgar, visiting Zhangye, Jiayuhuan, Dunhuang... in Gansu province, and shared us their special travel story! Travel with China Discovery to create your great China trip memories!