It was built to defend the borders of the Chinese Empire during the Ming Dynasty. Jiayuguan Fortress had a strategic place because it locked the corridor of Gansu. It also protected the route of the Silk Road on the pass that separates the Qilianshan Mountains from Heishan Mountain. The fortress is made up of several buildings including a temple and a theater where soldiers could entertain themselves. After the Jiayuguan Pass was constructed, the army of the Ming Dynasty used it to protect inner China from the invasion of nomadic groups. At the same time, the Jiayuguan Pass had also played as a key waypoint of the ancient Silk Road. Foreign travelers and traders came from Europe, and Middle Asia, and entered the inner land of China. While commodities of China also were transported to Middle Asia and Europe from this pass. Along with foreign trade, a cultural exchange of religion, art, and custom also had been brought.

There is an interesting legend about Jiayuguan Fortress: local officials prepared 100,000 bricks for the construction of Jiayuguan Fortress. When the Fortress was built finished, 99,999 bricks were used, and there was one brick left over. The officers say the last brick is the “Bricks to stabilize the fortress,” which protects the fortress from its collapse as long as it doesn’t move. So today you can still see this brick on the Fortress, where it was when Fortress was built, it hasn’t been moved for more than 600 years.

Throughout history, even though the walls and towers were partly damaged by natural infestation and wars, the Jiayuguan Pass is still the most intact surviving ancient military building. Several restorations had been conducted to protect the civil engineering structure of its fort, towers, and walls. So travelers can still see many of its original faces. The well-preserved entire building will immerse you in the rich history of the Silk Road and to better appreciate the site, we advise you to discover it by walking through its ramparts.