Overhanging Great Wall
» Jiayuguan, Gan Su

悬壁长城 西部八达岭

It was built in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). The construction began on it in 1539 and was completed in the following year. It was built using layer upon layer of stone and yellow earth. In subsequent years, the wall has dwindled from its original length of 1.5 kilometers to its current 750 meters. Its imposing appearance and manner earns the name "the Western Great Wall at Badaling." The Wall was reconstructed in 1987, with sidesteps added to allow visitors to climb the Wall.

Have a general look

Located seven miles to Jiayuguan City in Gansu Province and four miles to the northwest of the pass city of Jiayuguan City, the overhanging Great Wall is an important part of the defensive work of Jiayu Pass, linking Jiayu Pass with the Black Mountain (Hei shan). It was built in the year of 1539 during the Ming Dynasty.

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 Black Mountain which is 492-feet high and tilted 45 degrees. After the restoration there are now three signal-fire towers, one of which is right in the middle while the other two are on each end of the Great Wall.

Something about the name

Take a grand view, the Overhanging Great 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 Great Wall at Badaling so it is reputed as "the Western Great Wall at Badaling."

Climbing up to enjoy amazing overview

It is quite a challenge for the visitors to climb up the top of the Great Wall even with 400-stairways built to ease climbing. But it is all worthwhile once you are on the top looking afar into the amazing desert.

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! It is such peculiar scenery of far-flung desert stretching to the horizon decorated by scattered oases. Yet the isolation from the civilization and the abominable weather have made the locals struggled to live there from generation to generation.

When to visit

  • 8:30a.m. - 8:00p.m. (Summer & Autumn)
  • 8:30a.m. - 6:00p.m. (Spring & Winter)

Attractions around » Jiayuguan, Gan Su

Historical Site

Historical Site

Cultural Site

Cultural Site

Historical Relic

Historical Relic

As an extending part of the Jiayu Pass, Gansu Province, the Overhanging Great Wall was once an important component in the medieval defense system, where the "Silk Road" starts from here to west.

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