Located in the northwestern Dengkou County of Bayannur in Inner Mongolia, the Jilu Fortress  is one of the earliest barbicans in China, which was built in 122BC during the Han Dynasty (202BC-220AD) to prevent the invasion of northern Huns. Together with the beacon towers, stone walls, and stone terraces close by, the Jilu Fortress constituted an important military stronghold in ancient times. 

 

Jilu Fortress stands on a 19 meters high mountain slope, making it very difficult to reach and easy to defend. It was built of gneiss and pebbles, and the joints filled with clay. The site is a square shape, with a side length of 68.5 meters. The ruins of the wall are 7 meters to 8 meters high. At the northwestern gap, it is only 2 meters high. The present upper part of the wall is about  3.7 meters wide, and the lower part is 5.3 meters to 5.5 meters wide. The outer surface of the wall is quite neat. The four corners of the fortress jut out for about 2 meters to watch and defend against enemies. There is only one gate: South Gate. Outside the gate lies a small barbican with an entrance in the east.

 

Owing to flash flooding, wind erosion, and human destruction, the houses inside the fortress are severely damaged, only to leave some debris of bricks and tiles. Fortunately, the fortress is well-preserved, and has never been developed for sightseeing purposes. You can ascend the fortress along the stone steps to the east of the southern wall and at the northwestern corner. Standing on the wall, you will have a bird's-eye view of the fortress, deep valleys in the east, and rolling mountains in the north. Also, you will find many sites of beacon towers around the fortress, which were used to convey military information in the past. Many cultural relics were excavated there, including cord-marked bricks and tiles, pieces of gray pottery, arrows, and a bronze crossbow.

 

Add: in the northwestern Dengkou County of Bayannur in Inner Mongolia.

Opening Hours:08:00-18:00

Entrance Fees: CNY30

Ask Questions ?