China > The fort of Jiayuguan

Up early. My alarm goes off at four o’clock. I want to catch the train in Jiayuguan this afternoon, and I also want to visit the Ming fort there. For that, I need to set out extra early. As the bus leaves Dunhuang, I try to get some more sleep. It was a very short night. Around ten o’clock I wake up again. I arrive in Jiayuguan. At the edge of the city lies the large Jiayuguan Fort. The fort was built in 1372 during the Ming dynasty. It was responsible for defending the western side of the Chinese empire.

China - The gatehouse of Jiayuguan Fort

From Jiayuguan, the 3,000-kilometer-long Great Wall of China begins, stretching all the way to Beijing. After passing through the first gate, I still have a long walk before reaching the East Gate. Through the East Gate, I enter the walled inner courtyard. The large pagoda towers high above the fort. On the courtyard, various demonstrations of guards and archers are being held. I wander among the old but well-restored buildings. All of them feature the typical Chinese roofs with upturned corners. At the West Gate, I climb onto the wall. I walk along the defensive wall. It is about ten meters high and sturdily built. It’s no wonder that this fort was once nicknamed “the Impregnable Fort.” When I head back toward the entrance, I end up at the wrong exit.

China - An image in Jiayuguan Fort

I leave the complex at the museum, where the parking lot for cars is located. To get back to the bus parking area, I have to walk around the complex. I return to the bus a little later than planned, but I’m not the only one who took the wrong way. Once everyone is back, the bus drives to Jiayuguan’s city center for lunch. After that, I head to the station. I am well on time. I take a seat in the departure hall. When my train arrives, I walk onto the platform to the correct carriage. Once again, it’s quite a puzzle to fit all the luggage into the compartment. Still, this carriage is the most spacious of all the trains so far—especially the upper bunk, which has more room here. I lie down on my bed for a short nap. For dinner, I go to the dining car. I order a dish with mushrooms and meat. Unlike the earlier meals on the train, this one tastes particularly good. I go to bed early. It’s been a long day today.