7 Days in Jiayuguan

Begun in 1372 and finished around 1540 after 168 years of work, the fort keeps a 733-metre inner enclosure; the combined 120-yuan ticket covers the fort, the Overhanging Wall and the museum by the gate.

1. jiayuguan pass
2. jiayuguan great wall museum

The Wall clings to a black ridge 8 km north on a 750-metre braced section; to the southwest, the First Beacon stands above 80-metre Taolai river cliffs as the Ming wall's westernmost post.

1. jiayuguan overhanging wall
2. jiayuguan first beacon

About 20 km northeast, tombs of the 3rd-5th centuries lie brick-lined and painted — feasts, ploughing and kitchens in hundreds of murals; one chamber is open to visitors.

1. jiayuguan wei jin tombs

The Silk Road theme park, opened in 2019, rides the corridor's history with dark rides and shows — an easy family day inside the city.

1. jiayuguan fantawild

An honest label — Dunhuang is a separate prefecture, about 1.5 hours west by HSR. Ride out for the Singing Sand dunes and the crescent spring, back on the evening train.

1. dunhuang mingsha crescent

A cellar tour after the long rail day, then a slow loop of East Lake's lawns and shoreline paths.

1. jiayuguan zixuan winery
2. jiayuguan east lake

A market breakfast of local noodles and dried fruit, a last look at the fort from the bus window, then the HSR from Jiayuguan South.

1. jiayuguan city markets