Jiayuguan

Synopsis

Jiayuguan is located in Jiayuguan City, Gansu Province. It is the first major pass at the western end of the Ming Great Wall, initially built in the fifth year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1372 AD), and is renowned as the "First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven." The fortress is strategically situated with mountains and rivers as its backdrop, guarding the narrowest section of the Hexi Corridor. It served as a vital passage along the ancient Silk Road and stands as the iconic westernmost structure of the Great Wall.

Overview

Jiayuguan is located in Jiayuguan City, Gansu Province, situated in the middle section of the Hexi Corridor. It is the first major pass at the western end of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall and one of the most completely preserved and most magnificent passes along the entire Great Wall. Construction of Jiayuguan began in the fifth year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1372 AD) and took 168 years to complete, earning it the title "The First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven." The fortress is built against the Qilian Mountains and beside the Heishan River valley, guarding the narrowest point of the Hexi Corridor. To the south lie the perpetually snow-capped Qilian Mountains, and to the north stand the majestic Heishan Mountains. Its strategically important location made it a vital throat connecting the Central Plains to the Western Regions in ancient times.

Jiayuguan was not only a military fortification but also one of the most important checkpoints on the ancient Silk Road. All merchants and travelers leaving the pass had to complete customs procedures here; it was said that crossing Jiayuguan meant leaving China. This unique geographical position made Jiayuguan a crucial node for the convergence of Eastern and Western civilizations.

Architectural Structure

The Jiayuguan fortress consists of three lines of defense: the inner city, the outer city, and the moat, forming a tight defensive system with overlapping and layered fortifications.

The fortress has three gates. The East Gate is named Guanghua Gate, meaning "the rising sun shines its light everywhere." The West Gate is named Rouyuan Gate, meaning "to pacify distant peoples with a policy of appeasement." The characters "Jiayuguan" are inscribed on the gate outside the West Gate, which is the famous plaque declaring it "The First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven."

Historical Significance

The construction of Jiayuguan began in 1372 AD, initiated by General Feng Sheng who selected the site and built the initial fortifications. It was subsequently expanded and improved during the Chenghua, Zhengde, and Jiajing reigns of the Ming Dynasty. It reached its present scale in the 18th year of the Jiajing era (1539 AD), taking a total of 168 years from start to finish.

During the Ming Dynasty, Jiayuguan marked the westernmost border of China's territory. The imperial court decreed that those who left the pass were not allowed to return, which imbued Jiayuguan with a tragic, solemn atmosphere. Many merchants, envoys, and soldiers departing through the pass cast their last glance towards the Central Plains here. The Qing Dynasty poet Lin Zexu, exiled to Xinjiang, passed by Jiayuguan and wrote: "A stern pass a hundred feet high marks the western sky's bound, / Ten thousand miles from home, the traveler halts his steed," capturing the grandeur and desolation of this mighty fortress.

Legends and Stories

Jiayuguan has many popular legends. The most famous is the story of the "City-Fixing Brick." It is said that during construction, the master craftsman Yi Kaizhan precisely calculated the number of bricks needed and promised to accept punishment if even one brick was extra or missing. Upon completion, one brick remained. It was placed on the rear eaves platform of the West Gate tower. When the supervising official questioned this, Yi Kaizhan claimed it was a "city-fixing brick" placed by a deity, and that moving it would cause the tower to collapse. This brick remains in its original place to this day.

"Stones Chirping Like Swallows" is another peculiar natural phenomenon. Striking stones on the ground at specific spots within the pass produces an echo resembling the chirping of swallows. Legend tells of a pair of swallows that nested in the fortress. The male swallow flew out before the gates closed, trapping the female inside. She crashed against the wall and died, her spirit transforming into the echoing sound.

Tourist Information

The Jiayuguan Scenic Area includes the fortress, the Overhanging Great Wall, the First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall, and the Heishan Rock Carvings. The Overhanging Great Wall is built on a 45-degree ridge of the Heishan Mountains, appearing to hang precariously. The First Beacon Tower is the westernmost beacon tower of the Ming Great Wall, standing atop a cliff in the Heishan River valley.

Jiayuguan City is about 370 kilometers from Dunhuang and is often visited on the same itinerary as the Mogao Caves. The best time to visit is from May to October.

References

1. Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/嘉峪关
2. Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/嘉峪关
3. Jiayuguan Cultural Relics Scenic Area: https://www.jygwh.gov.cn