Here’s a pic of the magnificient & best preserved Jiayuguan Pass – built initially in the Ming Dynasty as far back as 1372, it underwent a construction duration of 168 years to become the most majestic Pass among more than 1000 Passes along the Great Wall of China.

Jiayuguan Pass has the overlapped Structure consisting of 3 Layers of Defence - an Inner City containing the largest Pass buildings, an Outer CIty surrounded by a large Wall dotted with Watchtowers, Turrets, & high-terrace Pavilions, & a Moat – & connected to the Great Wall of China to constitute a Military Defensive System.  

And in March 1961, Jiayuguan Pass was announced a Cultural Relic under State Protection by the Chinese Government :

Me standing outside Jiayuguan Pass :

Here’s a Map of Jiayuguan Pass :

Inside Jiayuguan Pass we see lovely Chinese Pavilions with beautiful sceneries……………..

We’re now visiting Guandi Temple (or “Guandi Miao” in Chinese) :

Here’s an Ancient Chinese Painted Ceiling of Guandi Temple :

And standing directly opposite Guandi Temple is the following Ancient-looking Chinese Opera Tower :

A popular form of Drama & Musical theatre in China with roots going as far back as 3rd Century CE, Chinese Operas feature colorful Costumes with magnificent Embroideries, gorgeous Headdresses & Hair Ornaments, eleborate Makeups (or Painted Faces), & High-court Shoes acting out Plays which come from Chinese Legendary Tales or Interpretations of actual historical events.

Performing mostly for Chinese Emperors in the past Dynasties, Chinese Opera is nowadays usually performed during Chinese Temple celebrations or Chinese Prayers offering for Chinese Deities & Ancestors, in which all are allowed to enjoy!

There’s to be a Chinese Opera show going on soon here at the Opera Tower but unfortunately our Tour group has to move on exploring Jiayuguan Pass…………….

We’ve now arrived at the Eastern Gate of Jiayuguan Pass……………..

Below pics show Guang Hua Tower at the Eastern Gate & with the above Chaozong Gate & its Guang Hua Tower, this Eastern Gate of Jiayuguan Pass is called Guang Hua Gate – which means “Purple Mist Rising from the East & Brilliance Illuminating All Things“:

Here’re lovely views of Guang Hua Gate :

The Sparrow & Stone Legend tells the Story of the Sparrows that used to live here inside Jiayuguan Pass which would fly out of Jiayuguan Pass every mornings, & flew back here in the evenings…………..

One strong windy day, when the Sparrows flew back to Jiayuguan Pass, its Gates were already closed & these Sparrows could not enter the Pass but were knocked dead against the Pass Walls – resulting in their unrested Souls…………….

And since then during cool breezy days, whenever people used Stones to knock at the Walls of Jiayuguan Pass, they would hear the Trapped Souls (inside the Walls) of the dead Sparrows :

Here’s again showing the Legendary Stone of the Sparrow & Stone Legend & part of the original Ancient Wall of Jiayuguan Pass :

Ahaha what a sad but most interesting Chinese Legendary tale…………..