The First Beacon Tower of Great Wall
Travel in Jiayuguan
Hot China City Tours
Table of Contents
- 1. The First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall’s Facts
- 2. History of The First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall: The Eyes and Ears of the Western Frontier
- 3. What to See & Do in the First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall
- 4. How to Get to the First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall
- 5. Travel Tips
- 6. Explore Jiayuguan’s Wonders with Easy Tour China
The First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall is located in 8 km south of Jiayugyan Fort. It is the first one of the Great Wall built in Ming Dynasty from the west end, hence the name. It is also called Taolaihe Dun and Tou Dun in Chinese.
It was the ancient signal tower of the Great Wall. Even hundreds of years of erosion and weathering, the tower itself has been badly damaged, but the main structure still stands there firmly.
The First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall’s Facts
History of The First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall: The Eyes and Ears of the Western Frontier
In the Ming Dynasty, 39 fire towers around Jiayuguan formed an efficient alarm system. In the past, the Taolai River served as the western boundary of the state. The First Pier, the westernmost fire tower standing on a 180-foot-high (55-meter) cliff by the river, was of great military importance.
From there one could observe an enemy’s intrusion at the earliest time and send a signal to the next fire tower by making thick smoke in the daytime or lifting a firebrand at night. Therefore, it is regarded as an indispensible part of the defense system of this off-the-beaten-path Great Wall and is known as the First Watchtower of the Great Wall.
>> Related Reading: Which Dynasty Built the Great Wall?
What to See & Do in the First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall
The Beacon Tower’s Construction’s Ruin: Rammed Earth Genius
As the oldest watchtower of the Great Wall, the original beacon tower was built using rammed earth (soil), a technique that involves compacting soil in layers into a thick wooden frame, with each layer about 10–20 millimeters thick. Walls made using this method proved remarkably durable against enemy attacks and the harsh desert environment.
>> Related reading: How Old is the Great Wall of China?
The Underground Experience Museum
Here, all the exhibits here are used to display the history of the First Beacon Tower and Jiayuguan. Outside the exhibition hall, there is a glass observation deck that allows you to view the scenery of the Taolai Valley and the Qilian Mountains from a distance, with the yellowish and rapid Taolai River flowing beneath.
Taolai River Valley’s Views
Taolai River is the soul of the entire scenic area. Passing through the underground museum, you will see the roaring Taolai River carving a deep valley through the rocky terrain, and the beacon tower being built on this natural barrier is by no means accidental—it provides an unparalleled vantage point for defending against invading nomads.
The Taolai River Zipline
As an outdoor sports enthusiast, this is definitely a part of your Gansu tour that you cannot miss. For just CNY 60, you can zip across the entire Taolai River Valley, experiencing up close the magnificent scenery of the Northwest China.
How to Get to the First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall
The most convenient method is booking a private car or joining a guided great wall of china tours package that covers all three Jiayuguan sites. Taking a private car from Jiayuguan city center will cost approximately CNY 15–30, depending on your starting point. The base fare starts at CNY 6 for the first 3 km.
Travel Tips
>> Learn more about Jiayuguan Climate
>> Learn more about Jiayuguan Travel Tips: Everything to Know Before You Go
>> Learn more about Jiayuguan Travel Tips: Everything to Know Before You Go
Explore Jiayuguan’s Wonders with Easy Tour China
The First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall is just one of the historic treasures of the Jiayuguan city and the broader Gansu province. You can combine your visit with the other sites like the Jiayuguan Pass (the most intact fort on the Great Wall), the stunning Overhanging Great Wall and the Wei-Jin Art Gallery. Just let Easy Tour China help you craft the perfect Jiayuguan tour. Here are some recommended itineraries.
