Yongtai Fortress, Ming Dynasty fortress in Jingtai County, Gansu, China

Yongtai Fortress is a Ming dynasty walled town in Sitan Township, Jingtai County, Gansu. Its rammed-earth walls, 8 to 12 metres high with a 6-metre base and 5-metre top, enclose a 520 by 500 metre rectangle with a 1,710-metre perimeter. The outline resembles a turtle, giving it the name Guicheng, Turtle City.

Construction began in 1606 under Li Wen, Minister of War, and was completed in June 1608. The Ming garrison comprised 2,000 infantrymen and 500 cavalry. The fort was listed as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level in 2006.

The fortress follows traditional military planning with a distinctive turtle shape created by its walls and watchtowers. Visitors walking through can still see how this design helped defenders control the surrounding landscape.

This remote site requires arranged transportation from larger cities in Gansu Province to reach it. Visitors should plan sufficient time and wear sturdy footwear, as exploring the fortress and its grounds involves considerable walking.

The fortress had a sophisticated water management system with reservoirs and a moat roughly 6 meters wide that sustained the residents. This system reveals how the builders thought beyond just defense to ensure long-term survival for those living there.