中国甘肃省的天下第一雄關--嘉峪关 The western most pass of Jiayuguan in Gansu, China

WS 153 –中国甘肃省的天下第一雄關--嘉峪关 The western most pass of Jiayuguan in Gansu, China

嘉峪关位于甘肃省嘉峪关市向西五公里处，是明朝长城最西端的关口，历史上曾被称为河西咽喉，古代“丝绸之路”的交通要衝。关城建于狭窄的山谷中部，城关两翼的城墙横穿戈壁沙漠。嘉峪关以地势险要，巍峨壮观著称于世，被称为“天下第一雄關”。我们2017年曾到此一游。 

嘉峪关建于明洪武五年，西历1372年。现在关城以内城为主，周长六百四十米，面积二点五万平方米，城高十点七米，以黄土夯筑而成。东西城垣开门，东为光化门，西为柔远门。均筑瓮城。城墙上还建有箭楼、阁楼、闸门楼共十多座，是长城众多关城中保存最为完整的一座。关城内建有游击将军府、文昌阁，关帝庙、戏楼等。 

第二张的黑白照片彰显墙的厚度。第四，五张是瓮城和军士居所，第六张是光化楼，关内三大阁楼之一。最后两张分别是游击将军府和戏楼。

Jiayuguan is located 5 km west of Jiayuguan City, Gansu Province, China It is the westernmost pass of the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty. Historically, it was a transportation hub of the ancient "Silk Road". It is nicknamed the “Most Majestic Pass in the World”. We made our visit here in 2017. 

Jiayuguan was built in the 5th year of the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, or around 1372. The present structure is dominated by a walled inner space, with an area of 25,000 sq m. The compact earth wall has a length of 640 m and a height of 10.7 m. 

There are more than 10 structures atop the platform, including several beautiful towers and pavilions. The 2nd photo was shot in black-n-white for a rustic look to highlight the thick wall at the gate. Other photos show the buildings and settings: the last 2 showing the commander’s office and a stage for opera performance. The soldiers also need entertainment to kill monotony during peace time.