Day 47: Jia Yuguan City

The destination today was Jia Yuguan city, perched in the narrowest region of the Hexi Corridor. Travelling there it was clear was it was termed such: mountain ridges can be seen either side of the road. It is for this reason that the development of the Great Wall in Jia Yuguan was very strategic. Several portions of the Great Wall from different periods are preserved in Jia Yuguan, and we visited a village fort. This village contained the one well for the region, and the foretress was also very strategic. There are various traps employed in the construction of it.

First was the location, in a dip that enables it to be hidden from the view of approaching enemies. When it did come into view, the tops of the walls were constructed with areas to place their torches so that they too could not be seen, so approaching enemies would believe the village be asleep. When the enemy was close enough, the villagers could quickly appear and take the offence. Finally, were the enemy to make progress, the fortress' front gate lead to a courtyard that, rather than being in the village as it appeared, was another trap. The 'front gate' would be opened, the enemy storm in, and then the gates would be closed, trapping the enemy in the courtyard.

We then travelled to the First Beacon Tower, a series of which was used to communicate messages. Towers were built every kilometre, and when we saw the location of this tower it was obvious why. It was perched on a clifftop that saw for miles!

Following dinner we were lead for a walk around the nearby park. In this park is a gigantic dolphin-like structure, on whose nose is resting a ball. This ball is infact a meteorological centre. The park surrounded a large lake and included many statues, wall-carvings and brilliantly lit sculptures. It is very beautiful, if not somewhat unnatural. Each lake and stream is concrete-lined and -banked. It is very nice to have such an area, though, and must be greatly appreciated by the locals.