The Jiayuguan Cultural Relics Scenic Spot (嘉峪关文物景区) covers an area of 4,523.36 square meters. Its main feature, Jiayu Pass, built in the fifth year of the Hongwu reign (1372) during the Ming Dynasty, marks the westernmost end of the Ming Great Wall. Completed in the 18th year of the Jiajing reign (1539), its construction spanned 168 years. Known as “the First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven” and the “Key to the Border,” it holds significant historical value.
The scenic spot includes three major attractions: Jiayuguan Pass, the Overhanging Great Wall, and the First Beacon Tower. The Jiayuguan Cultural Relics Scenic Spot leverages the historical relics and sites of Jiayuguan’s military defense system as its primary landscape resources. It highlights the border culture, Great Wall culture, and Silk Road culture, creating a unique and desolate yet majestic atmosphere of the border and the Gobi desert. This spot showcases the historical role of the Hexi Corridor as a military stronghold and a crucial town on the Silk Road.
The area’s distinctive features present a vivid picture of the region’s historical significance, offering visitors a deep insight into the defensive strategies of ancient China and the cultural exchanges facilitated by the Silk Road.
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Basic Information
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Location and Transportation
Jiayuguan Cultural Relics Scenic Spot is located at 421 Guancheng South Road, Jiayuguan City, Gansu Province, China. Most tourist attractions in Jiayuguan City can be reached by taxi. The base fare is 6 yuan, and the meter is used for short distances. For longer trips, it is advisable to negotiate the price in advance.
Highlights of Jiayuguan Cultural Relics Scenic Spot
Jiayuguan Pass
Jiayuguan Pass, the central structure of the Jiayuguan Cultural Relics Scenic Spot, took 168 years to complete. Its design is strategic and fortified, featuring three layers of city walls and multiple defense lines, creating a fortified enclosure. The Pass comprises an inner city, an outer city, a moat, and three high pavilions with three layers and three eaves. The complex also includes fortifications, Great Wall watchtowers, and other defensive structures.
The inner city is the core of the Pass, with a circumference of 640 meters and an area of 25,000 square meters. Each of the two gates in the inner city is protected by a wengcheng (enclosed wall) with an area of over 500 square meters. The wengcheng gates open southward, and the western wengcheng has an additional luocheng (outer city) with a gate facing west. Above this gate is the inscription “嘉峪关.” Key structures within the Pass include the General’s Mansion, Guan Yin Temple, the Opera Stage, and Wenchang Pavilion.
Overhanging Great Wall
The Overhanging Great Wall, located 14 kilometers northwest of Jiayuguan city and 8.4 kilometers south of Jiayuguan Pass, is a crucial part of the military defense system. During a visit to inspect the Hexi defenses, Minister Zhailuan noticed that the Jiayuguan defenses were incomplete. He reported this to the court, resulting in the construction of the southern and northern wings of the Great Wall by Li Han, the military commander of Suzhou. These wings are known as the “Ming Wall” and the “Dark Wall.”
The Ming Wall extends south to the “First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall” near Taolai River, while the Dark Wall extends north to the Overhanging Great Wall at Shiguan Gorge. Together, these walls resemble iron wings guarding the Hexi Corridor. The Pass, along with the southern and northern wings of the Great Wall and nearby beacon towers, forms a comprehensive military defense system. The Overhanging Great Wall is similar in appearance to the Badaling section of the Great Wall near Beijing, earning it the nickname “Western Badaling.”
First Beacon Tower
The First Beacon Tower, also known as the “First Pier Under Heaven,” marks the westernmost end of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. Historically called Taolai River Pier, it is strategically located near the Taolai River, flanked by Jiuquan to the east, the desert to the west, Jiayuguan to the north, and the Qilian Mountains to the south. The tower stands on a cliff 56 meters above the Taolai River, earning it the title “The Most Dangerous Pier Under Heaven.”
The First Beacon Tower Scenic Area includes various attractions such as the Underground Canyon, Viewing Platform, Taolai Inn, Dangerous Suspension Bridge, Ancient Military Camp, Drunken in the Desert, and Century Dragon Forest. These points of interest offer visitors a glimpse into the historical significance and the natural beauty surrounding the beacon tower.
Jiayuguan Great Wall Museum
The Jiayuguan Great Wall Museum is China’s first museum dedicated to the history and culture of the Great Wall. Originally built in the Jiayuguan city area in October 1989, the new museum is now located within the Jiayuguan Cultural Relics Scenic Spot. Covering an area of 4,523.36 square meters with a total building area of 3,499 square meters, the museum provides a comprehensive overview of the Great Wall’s history.
The main exhibition hall, titled “The Great Wall,” features a rich and intricately designed display. Through a combination of text, charts, photographs, electric models, and artifacts, the exhibition presents a thorough and systematic introduction to the Great Wall across different Chinese dynasties. Visitors can explore the extensive history of the Great Wall, which spans 3,000 years and stretches over 100,000 miles.
