Yumen Pass Site
Gateway to the Silk Road's northern route; the pass was established under Emperor Wu of Han and named for the Hetian (Khotan) jade from the Western Regions that traveled through here. The lines "Why should the Qiang flute lament the willows? Spring wind never crosses Yumen Pass" have been recited to this day
Visitor info
- Opening hours
- 08:30-18:00
- Ticket
- approx. CNY 40
Price is indicative — final quote on inquiry.
Gateway to the Silk Road's northern route; the pass was established under Emperor Wu of Han and named for the Hetian (Khotan) jade from the Western Regions that traveled through here. The lines "Why should the Qiang flute lament the willows? Spring wind never crosses Yumen Pass" have been recited to this day. The surviving Small Fangpan City (Xiaofangpancheng) was the seat of the Han Yumen Commandant and is a site segment of the 2014 World Heritage listing "Silk Roads: Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor"; along the same route, the Han Great Wall at Danggu Beacon was rammed in alternating layers of reeds and sand-gravel, and Hecang City (Dafangpan City) is the remains of a Han military grain depot; farther west lies Yadan Devil City, where wind-eroded mounds line up like a fleet of ships at sunset.
Getting there: Self-drive northwest of downtown (approx. 90 km)
Photos
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