The Jiayuguan or Jiayu Fort is the first pass at the west end of the Great Wall of China, near the city of Jiayuguan in Gansu province
The pass is located at the narrowest point of the western section of the Hexi Corridor in the well-known Silk Road. It was built near an oasis that was then on the extreme western edge of China.
The structure was initially built during the early Ming dynasty around the year 1372, and it was completed through the strenuous efforts of 168 year.
The pass is trapezoid-shaped with a perimeter of 733 meters and an area of more than 33,500 square meters. The total length of the city wall is 733 meters and the height is 11 meters, including three defense lines: an inner city, an outer city and a moat.
There is a Great Wall Museum in the fort attraction displaying the history and legendary of the Great Wall in China.
In 1987, it was inscribed on the world heritage by UNESCO.
