01Historic Walk
Jiayuguan Pass Fortress
嘉峪关关城
All Ages
Admission
CNY 110 for the three-site pass; sightseeing bus extra
Typical Visit
2-3 hours
Quick Facts
Ticket
Included with First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall admission; no separate ticket
Hours
Peak season (May 1-Oct 31): 08:00-20:00, ticket sales and entry end 19:30; low season (Nov 1-Apr 30): 08:30-18:00, ticket sales and entry end 17:30
Transport
No direct metro; use a private car, taxi, or scenic-area transport
Duration
1-1.5 hours with the First Beacon Tower
Best Time
May-Oct
Visitors
Visitors comfortable with open canyon viewpoints
How to Visit
1
Treat the canyon as part of the First Beacon Tower visit
Do not plan it as a separate ticketed stop or a separate scenic-area visit.
Tip:Use the First Beacon Tower admission and visit the canyon on the same route.
2
See the tower, cliffs, and river channel in sequence
From the First Beacon Tower side, view the beacon tower, canyon cliffs, and river channel in order.
Tip:Understanding why the Great Wall began here makes the canyon more meaningful than going straight to a viewpoint.
3
Add an activity only if it suits the day
If your energy level and the day's available activities allow, use the glass viewing platform, suspension bridge, or zipline for an additional angle.
Tip:The regular viewing paths are enough to appreciate the canyon's scale without joining an activity.
Highlights
- The river valley cuts abruptly through Gobi terrain, creating a sharp contrast with the open landscape around it.
- Taolai River Canyon helps explain the First Beacon Tower's location, bringing the natural barrier and Great Wall remains into one view.
- The cliff-top viewpoints emphasize the canyon's depth and the river's erosion of the land.
- The river channel, steep cliffs, and distant mountains form the most natural, large-scale part of this group of sights.
Insider Tips
✦Wind is often stronger in the canyon than in the city; a light outer layer and a secure hat are useful.
✦Most viewpoints are open to the elements, so carry water and use sun protection on clear days.
✦Water can be muddy during high-flow periods or after rain; the river channel is often clearer in autumn, winter, and lower-water periods.
✦Drone use must follow on-site rules; do not launch near cliff edges or crowded areas.
✦This is best seen together with the First Beacon Tower. If time is limited, make sure to see the cliff top, canyon, and beacon tower together.
More Jiayuguan Attractions
02Historic Walk
Overhanging Great Wall
悬壁长城
Admission
Included with CNY 110 three-site pass; sightseeing bus extra
Typical Visit
1-3 hours
03Historic Walk
First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall
长城第一墩
Admission
Included with CNY 110 three-site pass; sightseeing bus extra
Typical Visit
1-1.5 hours
04Historic Walk
Jiayuguan Great Wall Museum
嘉峪关长城博物馆
Admission
Free entry with a valid ID; real-name reservation required.
Typical Visit
45-60 minutes
05City Guide
Xincheng Wei and Jin Mural Tombs
新城魏晋壁画墓
Admission
CNY 31; tickets are purchased on site.
Typical Visit
About 1.5 hours
06City Guide
Jiayuguan City Museum
嘉峪关城市博物馆
Admission
Free entry; bring identification to collect an admission ticket.
Typical Visit
1-1.5 hours