Yanmenguan pass
Yanmenguan Pass is one of the three important passes through the inner line of the Great Wall – an important military facility in ancient China.
Read on travel tips on it’s location, history, ticket price, opening time etc. It lies in Yanmen Mountain within the Heng Mountain ranges, around 20 km. (12 mi.) of Dai County in China’s Shanxi Province.
It is one of the three important passes through the inner line of the Great Wall in the Shanxi section together with other two passes: Ningwuguan Pass and Pianguan Pass.
In 2001, it was listed as a Key National Cultural Site under national protection.
Since it’s located at a place which is of strategic importance and is difficult for any potential enemies to get through, it was regarded as the principal one among the nine passes under heaven in ancient times.
Go Head and Start Your Private China Tour Today!
Yanmenguan Pass witnessed many big and small battles in history and became therefore a hotly contested spot in the past.
Yanmenguan Pass is made up of Guancheng, Wengcheng, and Weicheng. Guancheng is 10 m. (32.8 ft.) high with a perimeter of 1 km. (0.62 mi.).
It has a stone foundation which is built up with bricks. There are also numerous crenels on the city wall where military weapons like guns were set in preparation for any possible enemies attacking the city in ancient times.
Three gates are designed for Yanmenguan Pass which include the north gate, the west gate and the east gate.
The north gate is actually the gate of Wengcheng and is inscribed with three characters, “Yan Men Guan” while the west gate is inscribed with two characters “Di Li” meaning holding favorable geographic position and the south gate “Tian Xian” which means it is strategically located and is difficult to access.
Nowadays, Yanmenguan Pass is well preserved as an important historical site and an increasing number of tourists are attracted there every year to appreciate the remains of this strategically located military fortress.
Final travel tips for you: ticket price for Yanmenguan Pass is 90 RMB (15 USD) and it opens from 08:00-18:00.
Related tours
This 11-day Beijing Xi’an Lhasa Train Tour links China’s ancient capitals with Tibet’s cultural heart. Visit the Great Wall and Terracotta Warriors, then take the Qinghai-Tibet Railway to Lhasa to explore the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and the stunning Namtso Lake or Yamdrok tso.
Gyantse Horse Racing Festival is one of the largest feastival in Tibet. A great way to see Tibetan world famous horse racing, archery, dancing and more. With a tibet guide experience the local life, culture and sightseeing beyond Lhasa.
Experience an 8-day Chongqing Yangtze Cruise and Zhangjiajie Tour, combining a classic Three Gorges cruise from Chongqing to Yichang with Zhangjiajie’s top sites, including Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, the Glass Bridge, and Tianmen Mountain.
Visit Chengdu’s panda base, tour Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong’s UNESCO landscapes, then sail a Yangtze River cruise through the Three Gorges to Yichang. A well-paced Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou and Yangtze itinerary with nature, culture, and guided excursions.