Yangguan, Mountain pass and watchtower in Dunhuang, China
Yangguan is a mountain pass with a watchtower and defensive structures that once guarded China's western frontier. The site commands views across the surrounding terrain and its layout shows how passage was controlled.
The site was built around 120 BCE during the Han Dynasty to secure trade routes and monitor activity along the Silk Road. It remained a key control point for as long as these routes mattered.
Merchants and travelers from distant regions met here to exchange goods and knowledge, making this a meeting point of different worlds. The traces of these encounters still shape how we understand this frontier station today.
The site is open year-round and is best visited from Dunhuang, where local tourism agencies arrange visits. The most comfortable time to go is outside the intense summer heat.
Archaeological work uncovered an ancient signaling system using fire and smoke between watchtower stations across great distances. This method allowed messages to travel quickly without sending messengers.
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