Visit of the Great Wall

The Great Wall of China is such a huge monument and is composed of several parts erected under different dynasties. The part that starts (or ends) western most with what is called the first beacon tower, was built in 1539 by the Ming dynasty.

Taolai river pass and First beacon tower

The first stop of our visit on the morning of the 1st August is the Taolai river pass where the Great Wall starts. We can contemplate this impressive landscape having the Qilian mountains as background from a sort of balcony hanging straight over the river.

The first beacon tower, very eroded, overhangs a cliff, 80 meters over the river. From this tower, the wall draws a line in direction to Jiayuguan fort on the north.

Jiayuguan Fort

Situated at the narrowest part of the valley in Gansu province, Jiayu pass is a strategic place where the Jiayuguan fort was built. This fort is one of the most preserved military construction of the Great Wall.

Composed of a double fortification, the Fort holds most of the buildings as well as places in an inner-city. On the main place, fighting simulation are played by soldiers dressed in the ancient armours, while other soldiers are walking the beat on the ramparts.

Jiuquan gardens

Our journey continues just before noon in the Jiuquan gardens, well known for its legendary fountain thought to be a wine spring.

Typical architecture and garden-floors are to be seen there. Among soldiers statues, drawings and engravings ornament the wood constructions and retrace the long China history

Bronze soldier statues

The time logic next part would be on the eclipse camp here but as we want to group geographic and thematic subjects, and also to keep the eclipse part for the end, the following description will be the next day overhanging walls visit on the 2nd of August.

The overhanging Great Wall

Continuing along the wall from the fort direction north-east, we stop at a unique part of the wall called the Overhanging Wall.

This monument is divided in several chunks, one of whom is constructed on a mountain flank with a slope of 45 degrees. This offers a very special view of the wall as if it was hanging in the sky. Hence the name.

Climbing under the morning already heavy sun is exhausting but I still entertain myself counting each step. There are 512 steps up to the second tower.

The view at the top is unforgettable and is worth the 20 minutes climbing. The clear sky let it possible to distinguish Jiayuguan city in the background.

Walking down is on a little path, also with 512 steps but less slope since it goes along the relief.

Next, we came back to the fort for a lunch at the park's restaurant and for a visit of the great wall museum in the afternoon.

Zixuan winery

Just before leaving the city for the airport, we finally visit Zixuan enormous winery. The partially-used disproportional production capacity of the winery let you suppose this wine will be a "mass production" wine.

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