The Jiayuguan Pass is the most spectacular and best-preserved ancient military pass in the world. It was built in 1372.
 

        "Jiayuguan Pass" means a "Beautiful Valley" as it adjoins Qilian Mountain in the south, Mazong Mountain in the north, Jiuquan Basin in the east and flat Gobi in the west. It is just situated in the narrowest place of the western corridor in a reasonable layout. With both eastern and western gates within the Pass City, there are cities for gates protection covering an area of more than 500 square meters respectively. Both the city gates are open to the south, while in the west of the western enclosure, there built an outer city, and in the middle of the wall of the outer city, a pass gate is set in the west. On the lintel, three Chinese words of Jiayuguan are inscribed. Within the Pass City, the existing buildings mainly include Guerrilla General Office, Official Well, Guanyu Temple, Stage and Wenchang Pavilion.

        Located in westward 5 kilometers away from Jiayuguan City, under the jurisdiction of Gansu Province, Jiayuguan Pass is not only the first strategic pass at the western end of the Great Wall of Ming Dynasty, but also the vital traffic hub of the ancient "Silk Road". It is known for its good reputations of "the impregnable pass in the world" and "the west staring point of the Great Wall, etc".