Top Things to See in Jiayuguan

Jiayuguan Travel Guide
Jiayuguan is rarely an important itinerary point for the tour around Gansu and Qinghai, but only a rest point between Dunhuang and Zhangye city. Through there are not so many attractions in Jiayuguan, all of attractions are expanded by Jiayuguan culture, including Jiayuguan Pass, Weijin Tomb Murals, Overhanging Great Wall and The First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall.

Jiayuguan Pass
Jiayuguan Pass, is the first pass at the west of the Great Wall of China. It is situated between the Wenshu and Heishan Mountains at the foot of Jiayuguan Hill of Qilian Mountain. Along with Juyongguan and Shanhaiguan, it is one of the main passes of the Great Wall. With a length of 733 meters and an area about 33,500 square meters, Jiyuguan Pass has tow gates that one on the east side of the pass, and the other on the west side. On each gate there is a building. It consists of three defense lines: an inner city, an outer city and a moat.

Info
Location: 6 km to the southwest of Jiayuguan city.
Opening Hours: 8:00am-6:00p.m
Admission Fee: Free

The First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall
The First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall is considered to be the western-most point of the defenses of the Great Wall of China as they were in function during most of the Ming Dynasty Era (1368 AD - 1644 AD) . In practice, the first beacon tower of the Great Wall is but an extension of the gargantuan Fortress of Jiayu Pass (Jiayu Guan), which formed the Western-most Gate of the Chinese Empire and was a border checkpoint for all those traveling along the Silk Road in- and out of China.

Info
Location: In Ji:-ayuguan city
Opening Hours: 8:30-20:00(Jun-Oct);8:30-18:00(Nov-Mar)
Admission Fee: CNY 22

Overhanging Great Wall
The overhanging Great Wall is about 11km away from Jiayuguan City and 7km away from Jiayuguan City. It is named "Overhanging Great Wall" because it is built on a 45 degree ridge and looks like magnificent painting hanging over the cliff, which is how it got its name. The overhanging Great Wall is the north extension of Jiayuguan City and an important part of the ancient military defense system of Jiayuguan. It was built in the Ming Dynasty (1539). Today is only 750 metre long, after the restoration in 1987 when gentle steps of the first ruin watchtower and ridge wall were repaired. Strolling along the only four hundred staircases, you can have an eyeful of desolation and vastness. And a touch of oasis will strike you how tenacious life is in the face of adverse natural environment.

Info
Location: on the north slope of the Black Mountain, north of Shiguan Gorge, eight kilometers away from the Jiayuguan Fort, Jiayuguan, Gansu province.
Admission fee: CNY 25.
Opening Hours: 08:30-20:00

Weijin Tomb Murals
The Weijin Tomb Murals are located in the northeast of Jiayuguan City (20km). There are more than 1400 underground mural brick tombs of Wei and Jin Dynasties (220-419 AD). Known as the "World's largest underground gallery". It was also approved as one of the national relics in 2001. Among these excavated tombs, No.5 Grave has been completely moved to Gansu Museum in May, 1973. Now only No.6 Grave and No. 7 Grave are open to tourists.

Info
Location: located about 15 kilometers northeast of Jiayugaun City, Gansu Province.
Opening Hours: 08:30-20:00.
Admission fee: CNY 31