Jiayuguan

The Gobi region has a large difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures, so bring sun protection and a windproof jacket when traveling.

Jiayuguan marks the western end of the Ming Great Wall and is also known as the “First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven.” This pass has stood in the Gobi Desert for more than 600 years, while the surrounding landscape combines frontier history with the vast, open character of the desert.

• Jiayuguan Pass Fortress: The western starting point of the Ming Great Wall and the main 5A-rated scenic area. From the walls, you can look out toward the Qilian Snow Mountains and the sprawling Gobi, while learning how the fortress used a barbican to strengthen its defenses. The light is especially good around sunset, making it a suitable time to photograph the walls and desert landscape.

• Overhanging Great Wall: This section of the Great Wall was built along the steep ridges of Black Mountain and appears to hang between the cliffs when viewed from a distance. The route has relatively steep slopes; after climbing higher, you can look out over a broad stretch of Gobi and photograph the overall line of the wall.

• First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall: This is the westernmost starting point of the Ming dynasty’s Great Wall, standing on the edge of the Taolai River Grand Canyon. The transparent glass viewing platform offers views of both the canyon and the Gobi, creating a stark and expansive landscape.

• Jiayuguan Great Wall Museum: Located beside the fortress, this is one of China’s larger museums dedicated to the Great Wall. Admission is free, but it is closed on Mondays. The exhibitions and scale models offer a quick overview of frontier and Great Wall history.

• East Lake Ecotourism Scenic Area: A stretch of water and greenery in this Gobi city, suitable for walking and relaxing. From the meteorological tower, you can look across Jiayuguan’s urban area, the Gobi and the snow-capped mountains, which form a layered landscape.

• Jiayuguan Fantawild Adventure: A modern theme park suitable for families, couples or groups of friends. The park has both thrill rides and indoor attractions, so it is best to set aside a full day.

Ticket and Transportation Information

• Combined ticket: ¥110 in peak season (May–October) and ¥90 in the off-season (November–April). The ticket covers the fortress, the Overhanging Great Wall and the First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall, and is valid for three days. If you plan to visit all three sites, the combined ticket is the better option.
• Sightseeing buses: Sightseeing buses inside the fortress and between the three scenic areas require separate tickets, costing about ¥20 per person for a round trip. The fortress visitor center is about 2 kilometers from the scenic area entrance, and you can take a bus there; those with enough energy can also walk.
• Getting around:
  • Self-driving/rental car with driver: The three sites are more than 10 kilometers apart, so driving yourself or hiring a car makes it easier to arrange the order and length of your visits.
  • Scenic-area shuttle bus: The fortress visitor center operates shuttle buses to and from the three sites. The fare is about ¥20, and departure times are fixed.
  • Public transportation: Buses 4 and 6 from the city center stop at the fortress visitor center. The fare is ¥1, but transfers to the other sites are relatively inconvenient.

Classic Two-Day Itinerary

• Day 1: Majestic Passes and a Gobi Sunset
  • Morning: Start with the Overhanging Great Wall. Morning light is relatively gentle and ultraviolet radiation is weaker, making the climb less exposed to intense sun. Allow about 1.5 hours for the visit.

• Afternoon: Head to Jiayuguan Pass Fortress, arriving at around 2:00 p.m. and allowing about 2.5 hours to explore. After 4:00 p.m., the light gradually softens, so you can climb the walls and wait for the golden sunset while photographing the towers, Great Wall and Gobi.

• Evening: Head to the First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall and enjoy the Gobi sunset from the Taolai River Grand Canyon viewing platform. Take in the openness and stark beauty of the frontier landscape, allowing about one hour for the visit.

• Night: Return to the city center and dine at Fuqiang Market or Datang Food Street, trying northwestern snacks such as grilled lamb skewers and hand-kneaded fish-shaped noodles.

• Day 2: Layers of History and City Relaxation
  • Morning: Begin with the Jiayuguan Great Wall Museum, which is free to enter and provides background on the Great Wall. Then visit the Wei-Jin Tombs with Murals, a site known as an “underground gallery,” to learn about the culture of the ancient Silk Road.

• Afternoon: Take a walk and relax among the water and greenery at East Lake Ecotourism Scenic Area. If you prefer amusement rides, you can instead spend the entire day at Fantawild Adventure.

• Night: Enjoy a northwestern dinner in the city, such as lamb with rolled noodles or hand-kneaded fish-shaped noodles. You can also buy dried apricots and other souvenirs before leaving.

Where to Stay and What to Eat

• Where to stay: Restaurants are concentrated around Fuqiang Market and Liucha Road Junction, where taxis to the various scenic areas are convenient and there are plenty of hotels. This area is suitable for arranging accommodation, meals and transportation in one place.
• Must-try foods:
  • Gunjie Huguo: A common local northwestern breakfast made with a spicy pepper soup base and crisp fried dough twists, suitable for an everyday morning meal.

• Willow-branch grilled meat and grilled lamb trotters: Meat grilled on willow branches has a rich aroma, while grilled lamb trotters have a firm texture. Pair them with chilled apricot-peel drink to reduce the richness.

• Hand-kneaded fish-shaped noodles and lamb with rolled noodles: Both dishes come in generous portions and have a savory, fragrant flavor, making them suitable for sharing.
  • Meat stuffed in a lamb stomach: You can find it at a small stall opposite Fuqiang Market. It has a rich meaty flavor and firm texture, making it worth trying when you are nearby.

Travel Tips

• Sun and wind protection: Ultraviolet radiation is strong in the Gobi. Use sunscreen even on cloudy days, and wear sunglasses and a hat. Day-night temperature differences are significant, and temperatures drop quickly in the morning and evening, so bring a windproof jacket.
• Avoid so-called free viewpoints: Free views of the fortress towers mentioned online, such as Jiangjiazhuang, are far from the scenic area. They generally offer only unclear distant views, and traffic police or security staff may ask visitors to move on. If you want to climb the walls, buying a scenic-area ticket directly will save time.
• Distinguish between the two types of sightseeing buses: The sightseeing bus inside the fortress and the shuttle connecting the three scenic areas are different services, and both cost ¥20. If you do not take the internal fortress bus, you can take a taxi to the area near the North Gate and walk in, saving ¥20.
• Confirm performances in advance: The schedules for performances and light shows inside the fortress may change. After entering, confirm the day’s performance times with staff to avoid missing them.
• Buying local products: “Pass documents” and local products sold at scenic-area entrances may be overpriced. Supermarkets or cultural and creative shops in the city are usually better places to shop.
• What to wear: The steps at the Overhanging Great Wall are steep, so wear comfortable, non-slip shoes. If you want to take portraits against the old city walls, consider light-colored clothing or hanfu, paired with props such as a round silk fan.