Overhanging Great Wall

Located seven miles to Jiayuguan City in Gansu Province and four miles to the northwest of the pass city of Jiayuguan Pass, the overhanging Great Wall is an important part of the defensive work of Jiayuguan Pass. It was built in the year of 1539 during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644).

The wall was built by using local gravels and yellow earth layer upon layer. Originally, it measured 0.9 miles long. But due to natural disasters and human destruction, only 820 yards of the present wall remains with 253 yards climbing onto the north slope of Heishan Mountain which is 492-feet high and tilted 45 degrees. Take a grand view, the wall seems to overhang in the sky, hence its name. The wall is composed of the main path, battlements and three observation posts. Its imposing appearance and manner are very much like those of Badaling Great Wall, so it is reputed as 'the Western Badaling Great Wall'.

Stand at the top of the wall and scan widely, you will see the boundless desert extending to the faraway places, with scarce oasis distributed in. What a desolate and lonely view!