Hecang City (河仓城), commonly known as Dafangpan City (大方盘城), was constructed during the Western Han Dynasty and is situated in the Gobi Desert near Dunhuang, Shandong Province. Located 15 kilometers west of Yumen Pass (Xiaofangpan City), Hecang City served as a crucial military supply depot from the Han to the Wei-Jin periods (104 BC to 420 AD) along the frontier defenses of the western regions. It provided provisions such as grain, clothing, and forage to soldiers stationed at Yumen Pass, Yangguan Pass, along the Great Wall, and at beacon towers, ensuring they maintained robust combat readiness.
Hecang City is positioned in a depression alongside the east-west ancient path of the Shule River. Approximately 50 meters to the west lies a large lake, resembling a mirror with its clear, azure waters, bordered by reeds, red willows, and licorice plants. To the east lies an impenetrable marshland. The city itself was built on a raised platform about 3 meters above the lakebed. Its name, Hecang City (literally “River Granary City”), derives from its proximity to the Shule River.
The city is well-concealed, nestled within the embrace of towering sand dunes to the north and south, making it challenging to detect from a distance. Several beacon towers were strategically erected on the surrounding Gobi Desert, acting as vigilant sentinels or “eyes” of the city, keeping watch over the area.
The layout of Hecang City is rectangular, constructed using rammed earth. It measures approximately 132 meters east-west and 17 meters north-south, with the highest remaining walls reaching 6.7 meters. Inside the city are three equally-sized storage warehouses, divided by two walls running north-south. Each warehouse has a door facing south. Most of the walls have collapsed, except for the relatively intact northern wall. Triangular small holes, three on top and five below, evenly spaced and staggered, suggest ventilation or lighting features.
The city’s external defenses consist of two concentric walls on the east, west, and north sides. The outermost wall has broken segments and traces of earth mounds at the corners, while remnants of earth mound traces mark the second wall, particularly on the northern side.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 hour |
| Ticket Price | 40 RMB including Hecang City, Yumen Pass, Han Dynasty Great Wall |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours a day throughout the year |
Location and Transportation
Hecang City is situated in the midst of the Gobi Desert, approximately 60 kilometers northwest of Dunhuang. It is located 15 kilometers west of Yumen Pass (Xiaofangpan City). Access to Hecang City is challenging due to its remote desert location, and there is no public transportation available. Travelers typically need to arrange private transport from Dunhuang city center, which costs approximately 300 yuan.
