Han Dynasty Great Wall - best preserved section of the Han Dynasty Great Wall
Last Update: 17th October 2020
Built in the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC – 8 AD), Han Dynasty Great Wall stretches for more than 70 kilometers at Yumen Pass with the relatively preserved section of around 20 kilometers. Han Dynasty Great Wall in Dunhuang is the best preserved section compared to other sections in the Western Han Dynasty.
What to expect at the Han Dynasty Great Wall
Han Dynasty Great Wall in Dunhuang was not built in stone or bricks. The base was built in branches of red willow, reed, Apocynum venetum and Huyang trees which were common in Dunhuang at that time. On the base were earth, sand gravels and reed and so on. The highest point of the existing Han Dynasty Great Wall in Dunhuang is about 3 meters, and the thickest point is about 4 meters.
There are more than 80 existing watchtowers in Dunhuang. The watchtowers at Yumen Pass and West Lake area are the most intact. In the Han Dynasty, the watchtowers in square column were narrow at the top and wide at the bottom. They were mainly built in the inner side of the Great Wall. Generally speaking, the watchtowers are 7 meters tall and some are even 10 meters tall.
There are more than 80 existing watchtowers in Dunhuang. The watchtowers at Yumen Pass and West Lake area are the most intact. In the Han Dynasty, the watchtowers in square column were narrow at the top and wide at the bottom. They were mainly built in the inner side of the Great Wall. Generally speaking, the watchtowers are 7 meters tall and some are even 10 meters tall.
Best time to visit the Han Dynasty Great Wall
If you are planning to visit Han Dynasty Great Wall for photography purposes, the best time to visit is during the sunset.
The best months to visit are from May to October.
The best months to visit are from May to October.
How to get to the Han Dynasty Great Wall
There is no direct bus from Dunhuang to Han Dynasty Great Wall. Therefore, the only one option is to rent a vehicle.
Additional Han Dynasty Great Wall Travel Advice
- Opening hours: 08:00 – 18:00
- As at 17th October 2020, the entrance pricing to Han Dynasty Great Wall (including Yumen Pass and Hecang City) is 40 CNY per person; children between 1.2m tall (1.2m tall included) and 1.4m tall (1.4m tall not included) are charged 20 CNY per person; the elder between 60 years old (60 years old included) and 70 years old (70 years old not included) are charged 20 CNY per person; the elder above 70 years old (70 years old included) are free of charge; children under 1.2m tall (1.2m tall not included) are free of charge. For the latest pricing information, please contact us via email (info@wendyweitours.com)
- Please check out the weather forecast in case that Dunhuang is attacked by sand storms.
- Please wear the sunscreen cream, sunglasses and the like to stop the strong sunlight shining your body directly in the dry weather.
Interested in visiting the Han Dynasty Great Wall on a Tour?
Wendy Wei Tours offers a variety of different packaged tours as well as custom tours including the Han Dynasty Great Wall, among other attractions and destinations. To find out more, please visit our Tours page or Contact Us directly to find out more.