Jiayuguan Pass - The Greatest Pass Under Heaven

The Jiayuguan Pass is a majestic and imposing ancient military fortress, known as the greatest pass under heaven. Located in the narrowest part of a valley 5 km west of Jiayuguan City, Gansu Province, the city walls on both sides of the pass stretch across the desert and Gobi. It connects to the Black Mountain Great Wall in the north and the First Beacon Tower in the south, marking the westernmost point of the Ming Great Wall. Historically known as the throat of Hexi Corridor, it's renowned for its strategic location and magnificent architecture, earning it the title of "Key to the Frontier". Jiayuguan was a vital transportation hub on the ancient Silk Road and is one of the three wonders of the Great Wall of China (Shanhaiguan in the east, Zhenbeitai in the center, and Jiayuguan in the west). Construction of Jiayuguan began in 1372 during the Ming Dynasty. It consists of an inner city, outer city, luocheng (encircling city), wengcheng (barbican), moat, and the Great Wall extending to the north and south, totaling about 60 km in length. The Great Wall's platforms, beacon towers, and forts are scattered throughout, forming a multi-layered defense system with the inner city, outer city, and moat. This created a defense network with a beacon every 5 li, a watchtower every 10 li, a fort every 30 li, and a city every 100 li. Having seen Shanhaiguan and Jiayuguan, I hope to have the opportunity to visit other passes across the magnificent landscapes of our motherland.