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Taolai River Beacon Tower is praised as "The First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall", which is the First Pier of the Great Wall. It is located 5 km from the west of Jiayuguan City,at the west part of Hexi Corridor of Gansu Province.It is the first beacon tower of theGreat Wall and also the western starting point of the Ming Great Wall, as one of the important part of the Jiayuguan Great Wall defense system. Standing about 7.5 km away from the Jiayuguan Fortress,The Beacon Tower standing at the summit of the 80 meters deep valley, which one may well say it is the most dangerous beacon tower of the world.

History of  the Beacon Tower

The First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall was constructed in 1539 under the supervision of the official of Suzhou rectifying armed force, Lihan. In the Ming Dynasty, 39 fire towers around Jiayuguan formed an efficient alarm system. In the past, the Taolai River served as the western boundary of the state. The First Pier, the westernmost fire tower standing on a 500 meter-high cliff by the river, was of great military importance. From there one could observe an enemy's intrusion at the earliest time and send a signal to the next fire tower by making thick smoke in the daytime or lifting a firebrand at night. Therefore, it is regarded as an indispensible part of the defense system of the Jiayuguan Great Wall and is known as the First and Most Vital Fire Tower under Heaven.The walls of Jiayuguan pass the valley and the highest mountain Jiayuguan Mountain connecting the Overhanging Great Wall on the Heishan Mount to the north and the first block Jiayuguan Fortress to the south.It was also the important hub of the ancient Silk Road. 

What to see ?

Based on the smoke or firebrand signals, soldiers got to know the enemy's situation correctly. For instance, as history records, giving off a smoke signal one time (or lifting one firebrand) together with a gunshot suggests there are about one hundred enemies.

The First Fire Tower once was a cubic earth construction with the height, width, and length all equal to 14 meters. As a result of water erosion over hundreds of years, some parts of the tower have been destroyed. Today the remaining site measures nine meters high and the bottom of it is an irregular square. This once vital outpost has faded into an earth mound.
Now, the First Fire Tower has been developed as a comprehensive scenic area. Besides the beacon tower, you can also have a look at the following spots:

Underground Display Hall

Documents, pictures, sandboxes, and sculptures; all these items are used to display the history of the First Fire Tower and Jiayuguan. Outside the display hall, there is a glass sightseeing platform for you to view the scenery of the Taolai Valley and Qilian Mountain at a distance with the yellow and rapid Taolai River flowing under.

Taolai Old Inn

Built of rammed earth, wooden boards, and sand, the old-style courtyard seems to blend in well with the vast desert. Standing isolated at the historical border line, the old inn seems to be still waiting for camel caravans of the central plain and western regions to stop by.

Barrack

This is connected with the old inn by a suspension bridge across Taolai Valley. Camps and training facilities of the frontier troops of the Ming Dynasty are reproduced in the barrack. There, you can also have a try at trotting along staggered wooden stakes (Plum Blossom Stakes), used to practice basic Kung Fu skills.

Travel Tips

Add: 8km south of Jiayuguan Pass and 5 km from the west of Jiayuguan City,Gansu Province
Opening Hours: 08:30-20:00
Entrance Fee: 22 CNY