Explore Jiayuguan on a day tour

Jiayuguan is a prefecture-level city in northwestern Gansu province, with a population of 231,853 as of 2010. It is named after the nearby Jiayu Pass, the largest and most intact pass of the Great Wall of China. Jiayuguan is a major industrial city. It was established in 1958, following the establishment of Jiuquan Steel Company, the largest steel company in Gansu. Mining and mineral processing are the primary industries of the city. By area, it is by far the smallest prefecture-level division of Gansu. The fortress at Jiayuguan is situated at the end of the portion of the Great Wall of China which was built by the Ming Dynasty, in the 14th century.

This incredible structure was once the last stronghold of dynastic power on China's western frontier. It once held a military barracks, government office, and small village. Although destroyed and rebuilt many times, the original gates, general's residence, and fort temple remain. A walk along the inner fort's walls affords views of the surrounding snow-capped Qilian mountain range. Performances take place throughout the day showcasing the military styles of the late Ming dynasty including horseback riding and archer. The fort site is huge and should not be rushed through. It is best to spend time here as there are so many nooks and crannies worth exploring within the fort.

The Beacon Tower is located in Jiayuguan at the west part of Hexi Corridor of Gansu Province. The First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall, also known as Taolai River Beacon Tower, was constructed in 1539 under the supervision of the official of Suzhou rectifying armed force, Lihan. It is the first beacon tower of the Great Wall and also the western starting point of the Ming Great Wall, as one of the important part of the Jiayuguan Great Wall defense system. It is about 7.5 km away from the Jiayuguan Fortress. The Beacon Tower standing at the summit of the 80 meters deep valley, which one may well say it is the most dangerous beacon tower of the world.

Tombs of Wei and Jin Dynasties, namely Mural Brick Tombs of Wei and Jin Dynasties, are located in the New Town east of Jiayuguan City. It is part of the tombs of Wei and Jin Dynasties in Guoyuan-New Town area. It is a big tomb group with more than 1,000 tombs which were built between the third and fifth century, covering an area of almost 130,000 square kilometers. Among these tombs, most tombs are of families, housing bodies of three or even more generations. From 1972 to 1979, 18 tombs were excavated with more than 760 mural bricks unearthed, including 9 tombs with mural bricks and the other 9 tombs without. Because of the abundance of mural bricks, the Tombs of Wei and Jin Dynasties are renowned as the largest "Subterranean Art Gallery" in the world, attracting a large number of tourists from both home and abroad. It was also approved as one of the national relics in 2001.

The mountains of Hei Shan and Qilian Shan create a natural border where the Xuanbi Great Wall and fortress end. There is a part of Jiayuguan that can be seen down below, from the top of the wall. It is surrounded by the mountains, the Xuanbi Great Wall, as well as a portion of desert on the western side. The wall in this area was reconstructed in the 1980s, using compacted mud and reeds. The wall offers a spectacular view of snow-capped peaks when the weather allows.