Jiayuguan is a pass standing at the western end of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. Different from the well-known sections built with stones or bricks, Jiayuguan Great Wall was built with rammed earth, making yellow its dominant hue and helping the pass blend harmoniously with the surrounding desert. The city where the pass is located is named after the pass, also called Jiayuguan, sitting in China’s northwest Gansu Province.
Basic Facts of Jiayuguan
Jiayu Pass was built in the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644) under the supervision of Feng Sheng, a founding general of the Ming Dynasty. When first completed, there were only ramparts surrounding the barracks. After 168 years of enhancements, the pass assumed its present appearance.
Covering an area of 33,529 square meters (40,100 square yards), Jiayuguan Pass of Great Wall has a complex and integrated defensive system: an inner city, the central area with many buildings, an outer city, and finally a moat. You can also find common military facilities such as arrow towers, turrets, and cannons along the wall.
Jiayu Pass was also a vital traffic fort along the Silk Road, the world's oldest trading route, connecting China, Central Asia and Europe.
Inner City
Encompassing an area of 25,000 square meters (six acres), the inner city is enclosed by a city wall which runs for 640 meters (700 yards) and reaches a height of 11 meters (36 feet). It has two gates in the east and west respectively, known as the Guanghua and Rouyuan. Each gate is protected by a smaller guard tower and a barbican in front, forming another defensive screen for the inner city.
Outer City
Outside the inner city, there is another barrier forming the first defensive line of the pass – the outer city. As the major defensive point, the west wall of the outer city was built up with bricks, making it very solid. There is a three-story tower with a plaque that reads 'Tian Xia Di Yi Xiong Guan' (the First and Greatest Pass under Heaven) to state the military importance and strength of Jiayu Pass.