Yumenguan

Chinese: 玉门关
Pinyin: Yù mén guān
English: Jade gate pass
Coordinates: 40°21'13"N 93°51'51"E

Yumenguan is a rectangular castle located along the Silk Road, at the western end of Hexi Corridor. It was built, along with Yangguan, to control the western frontier during the early years of the Han Dynasty.

Yumenguan was the principal gateway from central China to the west during the Han Dynasty.

There are several different versions of a legend which tells about how Yumenguan, which was originally known as Small Square City, got its present name. Yumenguan means Jade Gate Pass. Jade in this instance symbolized goods being brought into China.

The structure is 24.5 meters (about 80 feet) long (east to west), 26.4 meters (about 87 feet) wide (north to south), and 9.7 meters (about 32 feet) high. Built using rammed earth, it is still in good condition today. Repairs were done on the eastern side of the building in modern times. It is surrounded by a fence to prevent damage.

Yumenguan has two gates, which are known as the west gate and the north gate. There is a walkway around the top. In the southeast corner is a horse ramp, allowing people and horses to reach the top.

Many important cultural relics have been found at Yumenguan, including many inscribed bamboo slips.

Yumenguan is about 90 kilometers (56 miles) northwest of the city of Dunhuang. From Dunhuang, you can take a taxi to Yumenguan and other nearby sites of interest as well.

Yumenguan

About 11 kilometers (6.7 miles) northeast of Yumenguan are the ruins of the Hecang Granary, also called Hecangcheng, which was a granary for the soldiers stationed at Yumenguan.

Hecang Granary

Location summary: Yumenguan is about 1913 kilometers (1189 miles) west of downtown Beijing. It is about 90 kilometers (56 miles) northwest of Dunhuang. Hecang Granary is about 11 kilometers (6.7 miles) northeast of Yumenguan.

Driving directions: From Dunhuang, drive west on G215 for 34 kilometers (21 miles). Turn right and drive northwest for 59 kilometers (37 miles) to Yumenguan.

Yumenguan tower

Hecang granary

Yumenguan

Yumenguan tower