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Why the Jiayuguan
fort is special
The remote Ming Dynasty Jaiyuguan fort was the last and farthest
west of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall outposts. It successfully guarded the strategic Jaiyuguan Pass for
centuries.
Interesting insights
about Jiayuguan fort
 It commands a narrow
critical mountain pass which was a tempting route for an ancient invading army. And, because the Silk Road
went through the pass, Jiayuguan was a logical place to collect duties from the caravans.
The Great Wall of China stretched
out from both sides of the fortress. If you wanted to enter China's heartland, you had to travel through the
fort, in one guarded gate and out the other.
The Jiayuguan bastion has a
formidable (yet elegant) design. Its walls are 10 meters (33 feet) high and exceptionally thick.
The bastion's solid construction and intelligent military layout inspired ancients to proudly call Jiayuguan "The strongest pass under heaven".
Jiayuguan fort tidbits
The Ming Dynasty Jiayuguan fort was
built in 1372. It was enlarged in 1539 and restored a couple of decades ago.
Jiayuguan's outer wall
is 733 meters (nearly a half mile) in circumference. Its two gate watchtowers are 20 meters (63 feet) tall.
The Great
Wall in the Jiayuguan area was the last part that the Ming Dynasty built.
Tip for your
vacation tour or trip
For an awesome view, climb the
nearby section of the Great Wall called the Overhanging Great Wall. Be forewarned, though, one part has a 45 degree incline.
Nearest major cities
Jiayaguan is about 380 kilometers (230 miles) from Dinhuang city and 750 kilometers (450 miles) northwest of Lanzhou city, the capital of Gansu province.
Pronunciation guide
Jiayuguan: zhee'ah-yoo-zhew'ahn
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