
▲ The Guan City of Jiayuguan is located about 5–6 km southwest of Jiayuguan City in Gansu Province. It marks the western starting point of the Ming Dynasty's Great Wall and served as a crucial transportation stronghold along the ancient Silk Road. Here is a comprehensive introduction:

▲ Construction began in 1372 during the Ming Dynasty under the supervision of Duke Feng Sheng of Song. After intermittent construction spanning 168 years, it was completed as a comprehensive military defense system by 1539. This grand pass stands as one of the largest surviving sections of the Great Wall, renowned alongside Shanhai Pass and Zhenbeitai as the "Three Great Wonders of the Great Wall."

▲ As the strategic gateway of the Hexi Corridor, Jiayuguan served as the vital passage for trade and tributary missions between Central China and the Western Regions/Central Asia. During the Ming Dynasty, it replaced Yumenguan as the designated legal route for envoys from the Western Regions entering Central China, earning the titles "Great Frontier Defense Between China and Foreign Lands" and "Guan City of Jiayuguan."

▲ As the strategic gateway of the Hexi Corridor, Jiayuguan served as the vital passage for trade and tributary missions between Central China and the Western Regions/Central Asia. During the Ming Dynasty, it replaced Yumenguan as the designated legal route for envoys from the Western Regions entering Central China, earning the titles "Great Frontier Defense Between China and Foreign Lands" and "Guan City of Jiayuguan."

▲ The Overhanging Great Wall Scenic Spot is located on the northern slope of Heishan Mountain, north of Shiguan Gorge, 8 km north of Guan City of Jiayuguan. In 1539 during the Ming Dynasty, to strengthen Jiayuguan's defenses, Li Han, the military commander of Suzhou, supervised the construction of a 15 km long wall made of stone slabs and compacted earth, starting from the mountain ridge south of the gorge beyond the hidden wall.
▲ The Overhanging Great Wall Scenic Spot is located on the northern slope of Heishan Mountain, north of Shiguan Gorge, 8 km north of Guan City of Jiayuguan. In 1539 during the Ming Dynasty, to strengthen Jiayuguan's defenses, Li Han, the military commander of Suzhou, supervised the construction of a 15 km long wall made of stone slabs and compacted earth, starting from the mountain ridge south of the gorge beyond the hidden wall.

▲ The Great Wall pier, also known as the Taolai River pier, is the southernmost watchtower of the western section of the Jiayuguan Great Wall and the westernmost watchtower of the Ming Dynasty's Great Wall. Built in 1539 under the supervision of Li Han, the military defense official of Suzhou, it stands 7.5 km south of Guan City of Jiayuguan on a 56m-high cliff overlooking the Taolai River.

▲ The Overhanging Great Wall Scenic Spot is located on the northern slope of Heishan Mountain, north of Shiguan Gorge, 8 km north of Guan City of Jiayuguan. In 1539 during the Ming Dynasty, to strengthen Jiayuguan's defenses, Li Han, the military commander of Suzhou, supervised the construction of a 15 km long wall made of stone slabs and compacted earth, starting from the mountain ridge south of the gorge beyond the hidden wall.

▲ The Great Wall pier, also known as the Taolai River pier, is the southernmost watchtower of the western section of the Jiayuguan Great Wall and the westernmost watchtower of the Ming Dynasty's Great Wall. Built in 1539 under the supervision of Li Han, the military defense official of Suzhou, it stands 7.5 km south of Guan City of Jiayuguan on a 56m-high cliff overlooking the Taolai River.


