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When mentioning the most famous architectural marvel in China, most of us think of the Great Wall of China first. Among them, Gia Dục Quan is the starting point of the western end of the Great Wall. Thanks to its magnificent scenery, Gia Dục Quan is hailed as the 'Number One Mighty Pass of the Celestial Empire.' Despite being built 600 years ago, this architectural marvel still retains its pristine beauty just like it was in ancient times. Let's explore more about this 'ancient military pass' with Mytour through the following article!
Gia Dục Quan: Where is it located?
Gia Dục Quan today sits within the territory of Gia Dục Quan City, in the province of Cam Túc, Northwestern China. It is considered the challenging westernmost point of the Great Wall. Gia Dục Quan was once an ancient military pass built in the fifth year of Hongwu during the Ming Dynasty, which is 1372 AD, with a history of over 600 years.
Gia Dục Quan serves as the westernmost point of the Great Wall, dubbed as China's 'Number One Mighty Pass' (Source: Collection)
This military pass once stood at the narrowest point of the Hà Tây corridor. Moreover, it was nestled between two large hills, with one of them named Gia Dục Quan. Fearing an attack from the Timurid emperor, Thiếp Mộc Nhi, the fortress was heavily fortified. However, surprisingly, the emperor passed away due to old age while leading his elite army to invade China.
The legend of building Gia Dục Quan
Gia Dục Quan is also associated with a famous legend about the construction plan of the fortress. Ancient tales recount that in ancient times, Gia Dục Quan was an architectural endeavor planned and designed by Dịch Khai Chiêm, a prominent mathematician during the Ming Dynasty. He meticulously calculated and estimated the exact number of bricks required for the construction, which amounted to precisely 99,999 pieces.
However, officials doubted his calculations, thinking that such a quantity of bricks wouldn't be sufficient. They struck a deal that if Dịch Khai Chiêm miscalculated even one brick, all laborers would suffer for three years. In compliance with the officials' request, Dịch Khai Chiêm added one extra brick.
99,999 bricks is the exact number needed to construct Gia Dục Quan (Image Source: Collection)
Upon the completion of Gia Dục Quan, officials were astonished to find that the construction had precisely one extra brick, just as predicted by Dịch Khai Chiêm. The entire court was impressed by his remarkable talent. The surplus brick was then placed on the grand gate of the fortress and remains there to this day. This intriguing historical anecdote is considered a vivid 'historical testimony' that has become legendary over time.
The formation history of Gia Dục Quan
Gia Dục Quan was constructed during the early period of the Ming Dynasty, around 1372. The fortress at Gia Dục Quan served as the 'guardian point' of the entire Ming court against the invasion of Emperor Thiếp Mộc Nhi. Positioned between the Gobi Desert and the westernmost point of China, Gia Dục Quan naturally became an ideal stopover on the legendary Silk Road. Moreover, this pass also served as a vital trade link between China and the Western and Central Asian countries.
Gia Dục Quan is the vital military pass constructed during the Ming Dynasty era (Image Source: Collection)
Distinctive architecture of Gia Dục Quan
Gia Dục Quan boasts magnificent architectural scale among the segments of the Ming Dynasty's Great Wall. Hence, it is regarded as the most crucial military pass along the Ming Dynasty's border defense line. Additionally, Gia Dục Quan served as a central gateway on the ancient Silk Road. These factors collectively elevated Gia Dục Quan into a military stronghold and a significant economic trading hub of its time.
According to some records, the architect of Gia Dục Quan was Dịch Khai Chiêm, a prominent mathematician during the Ming Dynasty. Gia Dục Quan was designed in a stepped structure with a perimeter of 733 meters and an area of over 33,500 square meters.
The total length of the fortress wall is 733 meters with a height of 11 meters. Gia Dục Quan pass is divided into 2 main gates, including one on the east and one on the west. Additionally, the south and north sides of the pass are connected to the Great Wall of China. Each gate has a guard tower situated at each corner. Furthermore, there are two inner gates on the north side where broad roads lead to the top of the pass.
The architecture of Gia Dục Quan is constructed with sturdy fortress walls to protect the defense line (Image Source: Collection)
Not only that, Gia Dục Quan was also designed with three additional crucial defense lines, including: Inner defense, outer defense, and water moats. This not only helped soldiers defend against enemy attacks but also provided surveillance over all enemy movements.
Gia Dục Quan is also known as 'Hòa Bình Quan.' Perhaps because 'the name influences the object,' this place has luckily never experienced warfare despite being strongly fortified. To this day, this scenic area remains nestled in the narrowest position to the west of the Hà Tây corridor. Although the sands of the Gobi Desert have covered Gia Dục Quan for thousands of years, the architectural structure here remains intact as it was originally.
The Significance of Gia Dục Quan
Among all the passes of the Great Wall of China, Gia Dục Quan is the most well-preserved military structure. Along with Sơn Hải Quan and Cư Dung Quan, these are the three places known as the 'First Mighty Passes under Heaven.' Surrounding Gia Dục Quan are some historical relics still preserved in Cam Túc Province. Among them, the most famous are thousands of tombs dating back to the periods of the Nguyễn and Tây Tấn dynasties.
Not only a sturdy defensive line of the Ming Dynasty army, Gia Dục Quan was also a secondary trading point on the Silk Road (Image Source: Collection)
Additionally, numerous murals have been found inside and around the Gia Dục Quan area. However, it seems that this place does not open its doors to visitors for tourism purposes. If you want to visit Gia Dục Quan, plan your trip between May and October.
Gia Dục Quan is not just a pass guarding the Ming Dynasty border but also a stopover on the Silk Road. With the information shared, passionate explorers hope to add another special destination to their list. If you want to conquer this famous landmark, embark on a trip to China now! Contact Mytour via hotline Mytour for free consultation on itineraries, tour prices, and some attractive offers.
