Jiayuguan Fort

Why Jiayuguan Fort is special
The remote Ming Dynasty Jiayuguan fort was the last and farthest west of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall outposts. It successfully guarded the strategic Jiayuguan Pass for centuries.

Jiayuguan Fort tips and insights
How to pronounce
Jiayuguan: zhee'ah-yoo-zhew'ahn

Strategic location
It commands a narrow critical mountain pass which was a tempting route for an ancient invading army. And, because the Silk Road went through the pass, Jiayuguan was a logical place to collect duties from the caravans.

Great Wall of China
This icon of China stretched out from both sides of the fortress. If you wanted to enter China's heartland, you had to travel through the fort, in one guarded gate and out the other.

Architectural design
The Jiayuguan bastion has a formidable (yet elegant) design. Its walls are 10 meters (33 feet) high and exceptionally thick. The bastion's solid construction and intelligent military layout inspired ancients to proudly call Jiayuguan "The strongest pass under heaven".

Construction history
The Ming Dynasty Jiayuguan fort was built in 1372. It was enlarged in 1539 and restored a couple of decades ago.

Measurements
Jiayuguan's outer wall is 733 meters (nearly a half mile) in circumference. Its two gate watchtowers are 20 meters (63 feet) tall.

Best viewpoint
For an awesome view, climb the nearby section of the Great Wall called the Overhanging Great Wall. Be forewarned, though, one part has a 45 degree incline.

Nearest major cities
Jiayuguan is about 380 kilometers (230 miles) from Dinhuang city and 750 kilometers (450 miles) northwest of Lanzhou city, the capital of Gansu province.