Touring Xinjiang Province - China

Jiayuquan Pass Fort

Jiayuquan was called the first pass of the Hexi corridor in ancient China. It was also the only place where the world famous "Old Silk Road" passed through. Afterwards, it became the west starting point of the MIng Great Wall. Now, it is one of the most well-protected ancient military defence projects.

Jiayuquan was first built in the fifth year during the reign of Hingwu in the Ming Dynasty (1372 AD). It got its name because it was built on the high land between the Wenshu mountain which lies at the foot of the Qilian mountains and the Heishan mountains. The Great Wall in Jiayuquan is made up of 5 parts, the inner wall. the trap wall, the outer wall and watch towers. These constructions and the wall nearby and other installations form a tight military defence system and they also form one solid defence supporting each other.

The whole Great Wall was ingeniously constructed with eaves high up in the air. The pavilion and the platforms were elegantly made with simplicity and magnificence. If you step on the gate tower to enjoy the distant view you can see the beautiful vast Gobi Desert and snow-capped Qilian Mountains.

Nowadays, the Great Wall in Jiayuquan has lost its former military functions. But, as the the world famous cultural relic, the west starting point of the Great Wall, it is of great value in studying the politics, military, economy, construction and culture in ancient China.