Dragon Boat Festival Trip to Jiayuguan, Gansu Province!

Jiayuguan, known as the "First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven," is located 5 kilometers west of Jiayuguan City in Gansu Province, nestled in the narrowest part of the valley. The city walls stretch across the desert and Gobi, connecting the Hanging Great Wall of Heishan Mountain to the north and the First Pier of the Great Wall to the south. As the westernmost pass of the Ming Great Wall, Jiayuguan was historically referred to as the "Throat of Hexi." Due to its strategic location and magnificent architecture, it is also known as the "Key to the Frontier."

Jiayuguan was first constructed in the fifth year of the Hongwu reign during the Ming Dynasty (1372). It consists of the inner city, outer city, Luocheng (a defensive structure), Wengcheng (a barbican), a moat, and the northern and southern wings of the Great Wall, spanning a total length of approximately 60 kilometers.

The defensive system is composed of watchtowers, beacon towers, and fortresses, forming a layered defense structure. It follows the pattern of "a beacon every five li, a tower every ten li, a fortress every thirty li, and a city every hundred li."

Jiayuguan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a national 5A-level tourist attraction, and a key cultural relic under state protection. It's definitely worth visiting and capturing some amazing photos!

The Dragon Boat Festival holiday is coming soon, so hurry up and plan your visit! 😃😃

Post by DH 2022 | May 23, 2025