Overview:

is the furthest western pass of the Great Wall of China located in Jiayuguan city in Gansu Province. Built in 1372 during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), this was the point where the wall turns east and stretches towards the east. It served as both fortress to protect China against threats from the west and a customs checkpoint for the Silk Road. It was the first pass that travelers encountered when entering into China through the western desert. Jiayuguan Fort is composed of several different structures and is one of the best preserved sections of the Great Wall of China. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in China
Prominent Features:

- Built in the early 1300s and is the westernmost section of the Great Wall of China. - The fortress is triangular in shape, with a long narrow wall and a larger and thicker inner wall. - Located in Jiayuguan, Gansu Province in western China, it marks the western end of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall and the westernmost point of the Ming Empire. - Its defensive functions have made it one of the most important military sites on the Great Wall and its strategic importance has prevented it from ever being breached. - The fortress is divided into several small courtyards and entrance points: the "First Gate Under Heaven" (Tian Xia Di Yi Men), the "Suspended Golden Bridge," the "White Horse Ravine", the "River Camp" (Hang Men) and the "Little West Gate" (Xiao Xi Men). - It is home to several historical sites, such as the Memorial Pavilion for the Construction of the Great Wall, a stone tablet bearing Emperor Yongle's calligraphy, and a stone inscription showing the name of the western defender of the wall. - The fortress site also features the Jiayuguan Museum, with artifacts dating back to the Ming Dynasty period. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in China.

History:

Jiayuguan Fortress is an important military stronghold on the Great Wall of China, located in the west of Gansu Province on the outskirts of modern Jiayuguan City. It is also one of the most famous and well-preserved sections of the Great Wall. Built in 1372 during the Ming Dynasty, the fortress served to protect the western borders of China, as well as the entrance to the Hexi Corridor. The site consists of two walls – one outer and one inner. The outer wall was built from mud and earth, and was later renovated in the Ming Dynasty in 1539, when the inner wall was constructed using bricks and stones. The walls were designed to withstand attacks from the nomadic tribes of the area, who were a constant threat to the Chinese empire. During the Qing Dynasty, it was further expanded and reinforced. Jiayuguan Fortress was the the second largest fortress on the Great Wall, after the Shanhai Pass. It was the official end of the Ming Dynasty's Great Wall, and was also a key waypoint along the Silk Road. Its strategic importance was such that the fortress underwent several renovations over the centuries to keep it up-to-date with the latest military technologies, such as cannons and military structures, and to defend against the constant threat of nomadic attacks. Today, the fortress is a popular tourist attraction. It is one of the best-preserved sections of the Great Wall and offers a unique perspective on ancient Chinese military architecture. It is also home to some archaeological artifacts from the Ming Dynasty, and visitors can learn about the history of the Great Wall, the Silk Road, and the settlement of Chinese emigrants in the Hexi Corridor. Visit one of the famous monuments of China with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Jiayuguan Fortress, also known as the “First Pass under Heaven”, is located at the western end of the Ming Dynasty’s Great Wall in Gansu Province, China. 2. In 1372, Ming dynasty General Lu Shuji was ordered by Emperor Xuande to construct a fortified defense system at the western end of the wall. 3. The fortress is made up of a seven-meter-thick wall and has two gates. One is the Jiayuguan Pass (or Jia’erguan Pass) and the other is the Yangguan Pass. 4. The fort system was designed to protect the Silk Road, an important economic route at the time. 5. Since Jiayuguan was the last point of the Great Wall, its design included both defensive and residential features. 6. Inside the fortress, there are four watchtowers, four beacon towers, thirteen battle posts and ten smaller battle posts. 7. Aside from its wall, the fortress also includes gardens, pavilions, wells and temples, which make the fortress look more like a settlement than a military base. 8. In 1961, the Chinese government listed Jiayuguan Fortress as a key cultural heritage site. 9. In 1997, it was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. One of the historical monuments of China, it tells the story of a bygone era