Yanmenguan Pass, located in the depths of Yanmen Mountain in Shanxi, is a lonely frontier outpost of the Great Wall with over 2,000 years history. Yanmenguan Great Wall Pass is 19 kilometers to the north of
Daixian County, in Shanxi Province. It is one of the three passes of the Inner Great Wall. The Ningwu Pass and the Pianguan Pass are the others.
History
In the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC - 476 BC), King Wuling of Zhao State first established Yanmen County in this region. When Emperor Qin Shi Huang (259 – 210 BC) reigned over the country, he gave orders for the construction of Yanmen Pass to guard against the northern tribes. Since then, it has been bitterly contested.
In Northern Song Dynasty (960 – 1127), the renowned warriors of the Yang family garrisoned it against invading Qidan troops from the northern prairie. These legendary warriors included female family members. You can find the statues of some of them lining along the entrance path of the scenic area.
Features
The pass consists of a pass city, a barbican, and an enclosing wall. The pass city is located between two rolling hills, with a height ofnine meters and a perimeter of 1,006 meters. The enclosing wall stretches outwards from the east and west wings of the pass city, measuring more than five kilometers long, and it is dotted with beacon towers. The barbican was built outside the north gate of the pass city.
The northern gate is called Di Li Gate, with a barbican outside forming a double defense line. Unlike other barbicans, the entrance door was built on the east wall instead of the front to expose potential invaders on two sides.
Different from other passes, Tian Xi'an Gate, opening to the central plain, was not designed to face Di Li Gate directly. It was actually built at the northeast corner of the pass. The one right opposite the Di Li Gate was a false lead to the secluded area of the mountain. There was no walkable path behind, only thick trees, knee-height grass, and wild beasts waited ahead.
There is a large reservoir behind the Di Li Gate. It has military potentials. If Di Li Gate was broken through, defenders would wreck the dam to inundate enemies.
A pagoda is on the northern slope on the enclosing wall, occupying the highest point of this whole area with an altitude of 5,968 feet (1,819 meters). It was an ideal command post. From there one can have a commanding view of the whole area.
What to see?
Yanmenguan Great Wall Pass is now a popular tourism destination. Apart from military strategic use, you may spot landmarks as follows:
Zhenbian Hall
Outside Tian Xi'an Gate, it was intended to commemorate a distinguished General Li Mu of Zhao State (403 – 222 BC). But in 1856, a monk named Shan Quan had converted it into a duo purpose Buddhist shrine.
Temple of Guan Yu
At the west side of Di Li Gate, there is a temple dedicated to general Guan Yu, who hardly lost a battle in the Kingdom of Shu (221 – 263). Soldiers took Guan Yu to be the god of war and victory. Therefore, his temples flourished at Great Wall passes.
Yanmen Village
It is an old village at the foot of the pass. Residents have been there for generations. Their houses, lifestyle, and custom still preserve the traditional style, combining the features of the central plain and the northern nomads. By simply walking around, it gives you a profound sense of history. You may also sample the local cuisines here.
The best time to visit the pass is May to June and September to October, when it is temperate weather. In May and June, the greenery energizes you. The scenes of September and October reflect different charm with fallen leaves coating the ground in yellow. Although winter (November to February) is cold, it does not matter much when the snow covers everything in white and you feel the solitude of this thousands-year-old fortress.
In 2017, Yanmen Pass scenic area was rated as a national 5A tourist attraction.
Travel Tips
Add: 19 kilometers to the north of Daixian County, in Shanxi Province.
Entrance Fees: CNY 90
Opening Hours: :08:00-17:00
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