China Silk Road Travel Part 30: Jiayuguan Pass

We left Dunhuang and headed eastward. We have to travel another 460km to reach our next destination which is Jiayuguan Pass, an ancient pass and fort built during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644).

Jiayuguan pass is the westernmost end of the Great Wall. It was an important pass which also served as a key passageway for the ancient Silk Route.

The pass covers an area of 8 acres and the walls are averagely 10 metres tall. They are also very thick.

The pass consists of an inner city, an outer city and a moat built for defence purposes against enemies.

There are many buildings with beautiful curved roofs and walls but I do not know how much of these are authentic and how much has been restored or reconstructed. 

A stage

Standing on the high walls we could see the city beyond.

Souvenir shops

There are a few stalls selling souvenirs.Seen here are leather water pouches used during ancient times.

The exit.

After leaving Jiayuguan Pass and made our way to the city of Jiuquan.

China Silk Road Tour Related Posts: 
Part 1: Overview
Part 2: Daming Palace National Heritage Park
Part 3: Hancheng Lake
Part 4: I Stayed In Howard Johnson Ginwa Plaza, Xian
Part 5: Xinjiang Where The People Speaks Mandarin With A Funny Accent
Part 6: Heavenly Lake
Part 7: Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar
Part 8: Hooray! 2 Nights In Cinda Hoi Tak Hotel, Urumqi
Part 9: Glimpses Of Turpan (Xinjiang)
Part 10: Karez Well
Part 11: The Ruins Of Jiohe
Part 12: The Grape Valley Of Turpan
Part 13: Nothing Comes Free!
Part 14: Emin Minaret
Part 15: Flaming Mountain
Part 16: Tuyugou Canyon
Part 17: Mazar Village Of Tuyugou Valley
Part 18: Kumtag Desert
Part 19: Turpan Maixi Laipu Hotel Review
Part 20: Xinjiang Cuisine
Part 21: The Journey To Hami
Part 22: Hami Hotel Block 6 Photo Review
Part 23 : Glimpses Of Dunhuang (Photo Gallery)
Part 24: An Amazing Desert Experience At Echoing Sand Dunes
Part 25: A Camel Ride At Echoing Sand Dunes
Part 26: An Oasis Of Flowers At Echoing Sand Dunes
Part 27: Crescent Lake
Part 28: Mogao Grottoes
Part 29: Dunhuang Fuguo Hotel Photo Review
Part 30: Jiayuguan pass
Part 31: Jiuquan Park
Part 32: 1 Night In Jiuquan Hotel
Part 33: Glimpses Of Jiuquan
Part 34: Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park
Part 35: My Journey From Jiuquan Into Zhangye
Part 36: Giang Buddha Temple, Zhangye
Part 37: Power Mansion Hotel, Zhangye
Part 38: The Journey Into Wuwei
Par 39: Leitei Tomb Of The Han Dynasty
Part 40: Glimpses Of Langzhou
Part 41: Langzhou Waterwheel Garden
Part 42: Only 8 Hours In Langzhou Legend Hotel
Part 43: Huaqing Hotspring
Part 44: Terracotta Warriors

Part 45: Shaanxi Sunshine Grand Theatre