Yumen Pass - the main pass on the Silk Road in the ancient times
Last Update: 17th October 2020
Also named Xiaofangpan City, Yumen Pass was an important passway to the Western Region in the Han Dynasty (220 BC – 220 AD). It stands a sandstone hill 90 kilometers northwest of Dunhuang. The pass is square. The city wall is well preserved. There are two city gates in the north and the west walls.
- Chinese Name: Yumenguan (玉门关)
- Area: 633 x square meters
- Things to do there: Photography, Hiking, Archaeology
- Who visits: Photographers, Adventure Enthusiasts, Archaeologists
- Time required: 1 x hour
The city wall of Yumen Pass built in loess is 10 meters tall. It is 24 meters long from east to west and 26.4 meters wide from south to north. The top of the wall is 3 meter wide while the bottom is 5 meters wide. You will find crenelated parapet wall on the top of the city wall and the bridleways in the pass.
On the top of the city wall, you can enjoy swamps in the distance, the Han Dynasty Great Wall winding in the desert, and Huyang Forest which shows you their strong vitality in the dry desert. If interested, you could explore the Hala Lake 100 meters north of the pass. For more information on Yumen Pass, it is suggested that you visit the special exhibition hall in front of the pass.
If you are planning to visit the pool for photography purposes, the best time to visit is during the sunset.
The best months to visit are from May to October.
There is no direct bus from Dunhuang to Yumen Pass. Therefore, the only one option is to rent a vehicle.
- Opening hours: 08:00 – 18:00
- As at 17th October 2020, the entrance pricing to Yumen Pass (including Han Dynasty Great Wall 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 take enough drinking water with you.
- Please wear sunscreen creams.
- Please take sand-proof gears.
- Please check out the weather forecast beforehand.
Wendy Wei Tours offers a variety of different packaged tours as well as custom tours including the Yumen Pass, among other attractions and destinations. To find out more, please visit our Tours page or Contact Us directly to find out more.