Yanmen Pass

Yanmen Pass is a mountain pass along the Great Wall in Dai County, situated in central Shanxi at roughly 1000 meters elevation. The fortification includes three gatehouses positioned between valleys that controlled movement toward the Eurasian steppe.

The defensive structures at this location were built around 300 BC by King Yong of Zhao to protect territories from northern invasions. These fortifications played a crucial role in controlling movement across the historical frontier for centuries.

The name comes from wild geese that migrate through this region, a connection that has shaped local stories and understanding of the landscape. Traders and travelers historically relied on this crossing, making it central to how people moved between north and south.

Visitors can explore the grounds daily, though hours vary with the seasons. Access is easiest via the Datong-Yuncheng Expressway or bus services departing from Xinzhou.

During the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937, a regiment led by He Bingyan executed a major military assault at this location. The operation inflicted substantial losses on Japanese forces and became a significant moment in local memory.