Jiayuguan Pass, Gansu

The Jiayuguan Pass lies in the Hexi Corridor of Gansu province, marking the western end of the Great Wall built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It is celebrated as the "First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven". Construction of the pass began in 1372. To the south rise the snow-capped Qilian Mountains, while Heishan Mountain lies to the north. The Great Wall extends into the surrounding desert, guarding a strategic passage through the corridor.

Built of rammed earth, the inner city is protected by a series of defensive structures, including barbicans, an outer enclosure and a moat. In 1987, the Great Wall, including Jiayuguan Pass, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Today, visitors can climb the tower to admire the fortress rising majestically above the Gobi Desert, with the snow-capped peaks of the Qilian Mountains stretching along the horizon.

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