| Yumen Pass has a history of more than two thousand years. Early in the Western Han (206 BC-24 AD), Emperor Wu of the Han, had two passes constructed: Yumen Pass and Yangguan Pass to defend and manage the western frontier. Hence, the Yumen Pass became one of the two most important passes in the western frontier during that period. |
| Later, cultural and economic exchange began as the access opened up to some countries in Central Asia, West Asia and Europe. The Yumen Pass served as a tollgate to the western countries and as an important stop for the traveling businessmen. At that time, the Yumen Pass took on a scene of prosperity, through which the silk was carried westerly, and religion, music, and some plants of the western countries were brought in. |
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Yumen Pass Location |
Yumen Pass Travel Tips |
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Open Time: |
Daily, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm |
Ticket Price: |
£¤50 yuan / adult |
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£¤25 yuan /child |
Cable car : |
No yet |
Address: |
Gansu City,Qinghai Province, China |
Weather: |
Spring(55F-43F),Summer(79F-60F) |
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Autumn(60F-46F),Winter(36F-18F) |
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| The History of Yumenguan Great Wall Pass |
The current Yumen Pass is a rectangular castle with an area of over 633 square meters (about 0.16 acre). It is 24.5 meters (about 80 feet) in length, 26.4 meters (about 87 feet) width, and 9.7 meters (about 32 feet) in height. It was built with rammed earth that required sophisticated workmanship. It's amazing that the castle is still in good condition after so many years. It has two gates each in the west and in the north.
Walkways and 'Nu Qiang' (parapets on the inner side of the wall for the safety of both men and horses) were built on the top of the castle. There is a 'Ma Dao' (horse ramp) in the southeast corner, allowing people and horses to reach the top. In the north of the castle, a carriageway reminds people it once served as a post in ancient times.
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| The original name of the pass was Small Square City, but it was later renamed as Yumen Pass. There is a legend about it, that tells: when the Silk Road was opened, the trade caravans from the west areas often transported jade through the pass to China and brought back silk in return. However, once the camels that had carried the jade arrived at the pass, they would froth at the mouth and fall unconscious. To bless the camels, the pass was then decorated with the exotic jades, and the camels made a miraculous recovery. After that the pass went by the name of Yumen Pass due to the sparkling jades on the gate. |
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