Geographical Location: It is located about 20 kilometers north of Daixian County Town, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province, in the Yanmen Mountains.
History and Culture: It is an important pass on the Great Wall, famous for its “danger” and known as “Among the nine great passes under heaven, Yanmenguan ranks first.” In history, it has experienced countless wars and was an important defense line of the ancient Central Plains dynasties against the northern nomadic peoples, leaving rich historical sites and legends.
Main Attractions
The Pass City
It consists of the pass city, the urn city, and the surrounding city. The city walls are tall and solid, with a magnificent momentum. Standing on the city walls, one can overlook the surrounding mountains and terrain and feel its majestic and precipitous nature.
There are various ancient weapon displays on the city tower, such as knives, spears, swords, halberds, etc., as well as models of ancient city defense equipment, such as catapults and crossbow carts, making people feel as if they have traveled back to the ancient war period.
The Ancient Post Road of Yanmenguan
This is an important ancient traffic artery, and the flagstone road has been polished very smooth by time. Walking on the post road, one can imagine the scene of merchants and travelers coming and going and the sound of camel bells in ancient times.
There are many ancient steles on both sides of the post road, recording historical events of different periods and poems and inscriptions of literati, etc., which have high cultural value.
Mingyue Tower and Yang Liulang Shrine
Mingyue Tower is one of the landmark buildings of Yanmenguan, with a unique architectural style, upturned eaves and brackets, and an extraordinary momentum. Under the moonlight at night, it looks more simple and elegant.
Yang Liulang Shrine was built to commemorate Yang Liulang, a famous general of the Northern Song Dynasty. Inside the shrine, there is a statue of Yang Liulang as well as an introduction to his life story and relevant cultural relics on display. Tourists can learn about the loyal and brave story of the Yang family generals here.
Tour Route Planning
Half-day Tour Route
Visitor Center Mingyue Tower The Ancient Post Road of Yanmenguan The Pass City Yang Liulang Shrine Visitor Center
One-day Tour Route
Visitor Center Yanmenguan Folk Village (to experience local folk culture) Bianmao Street (to buy characteristic souvenirs) Mingyue Tower The Ancient Post Road of Yanmenguan The Pass City Stele Forest Zhenbian Shrine (to understand ancient border defense military culture) Yang Liulang Shrine Observation Deck (to overlook the panoramic view of Yanmenguan) Visitor Center
Tickets and Opening Hours
Ticket Price: Full-price ticket is 90 yuan per person, half-price ticket is 45 yuan per person (specific preferential policies can be queried on the official website).
Opening Hours: From April 1st to October 31st, 08:00 18:00; from November 1st to March 31st of the following year, 08:30 17:00.
Food Guide of Yanmenguan
Specialty Foods
Daixian Braised Fish
Dish Features: Select fresh carp or grass carp in the local area. First, fry the fish and then stew it. With a unique seasoning formula, the fish meat is tender, and the soup is rich and thick, with a salty and slightly spicy taste, carrying a strong local characteristic flavor.
Recommended Restaurant: There are many restaurants in Daixian County Town near Yanmenguan that are good at making this dish, such as “Laoweidao Restaurant”, which is highly praised by local residents and tourists.
Daixian Sesame Flakes
Dish Features: This is a traditional Chinese dessert made from flour, sugar, sesame, etc. It is in the shape of thin flakes, golden in color, crispy and sweet in taste, with a strong sesame flavor, and is one of the famous special snacks in Daixian.
Purchase Location: Authentic Daixian Sesame Flakes can be bought in specialty stores or some supermarkets in Daixian. There are also some merchants selling freshly made sesame flakes on Bianmao Street, and you can taste them before buying.
Daixian Shaobing (Sesame Seed Cake)
Dish Features: There are sweet and salty flavors. The filling of the sweet Shaobing is usually jujube paste, brown sugar, etc., while the salty Shaobing is mostly filled with pork and scallions, etc. The outer skin is crispy with distinct layers, and the inner filling is soft and delicious. It is a favorite breakfast or snack among the locals.
Recommended Store: “Laodaizhou Shaobing Store” in Daixian County Town makes authentic Shaobing, and there are always many customers queuing up to buy every day.
