Jiayu Pass

Quick Facts: Who was Jiayu Pass?

Subject:

Jiayu Pass

Known for:

The westernmost frontier fortress of the Ming Great Wall, guarding the Hexi Corridor.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Jiayu Pass or (simplified Chinese: 嘉峪关; traditional Chinese: 嘉峪關; pinyin: Jiāyù Guān) is the first frontier fortress at the west end of the Ming dynasty Great Wall, near the city of Jiayuguan in Gansu province. Along with Juyong Pass and Shanhai Pass, it is one of the main passes of the Great Wall. In the Ming period, foreign merchants and envoys from Central Asia and West Asia mostly entered China through Jiayu Pass. The pass is located at the narrowest point of the western section of the Hexi Corridor, 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) southwest of the city of Jiayuguan in Gansu. The structure lies between two hills, one of which dominates Jiayuguan Pass.

Career & Major Achievements

The fortress was built near an oasis that was then on the extreme western edge of China. The fort is trapezoid-shaped with a perimeter of 733 metres (2,405 ft) and an area of more than 33,500 square metres (361,000 ft2). The length of the wall is 733 metres (2,405 ft) and the height is 11 metres (36 ft). There are two gates: one on the east side of the pass and the other on the west side. On each gate there is a building.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

An inscription of "Jiayuguan" in Chinese is written on a tablet at the building at the west gate. The south and north sides of the pass are connected to the Great Wall. There is a turret on each corner of the pass. On the north side, inside the two gates, there are wide roads leading to the top of the pass. Jiayuguan consisted of three defense lines: an inner fort, an outer fort, and a moat.

Notable Quotes by Jiayu Pass

“Every traveller toward the north-west passed through this gate, and it opened out on that great and always mysterious waste called the Desert of Gobi.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Jiayu Pass

True or False: “The name 'Greatest Pass Under Heaven' (天下第一關) refers to Jiayu Pass.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The name 'Greatest Pass Under Heaven' (天下第一關) actually belongs to Shanhai Pass at the east end of the Great Wall.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Jiayu Pass