Great Wall of Han Dynasty, Gansu, China
4.0 (98 reviews) Wednesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent Ranking #10 in Dunhuang Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Go quick as it's disappearing
I've been here five times over the last 13 years and each time it's smaller and smaller than the previous visit. The most recent visit, there was a team of workers injecting some sort of 'secret' solution (they wouldn't tell me what it was) that they said was to help preserve the remaining layers of straw, reeds, pebbles and sand that the wall consists of. They've also roped off more areas to keep idiots from climbing on the crumbling walls to take selfies. It's so sad seeing the destruction that has happened to this amazing site. If you visit -- look only. Help preserve it. Don't discard bottles or anything in the vicinity.
Address
Northwest of Dunhuang, Dunhuang 736200 China
Working hours
Monday : 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday : 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday : 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday : 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday : 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday : 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday : 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Current local date and time now
Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 22:02
User Ratings
4.0 based on (98 reviews)
Reviews
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5DianneSkelton 5:00 PM Oct 12, 2019
The really ancient Great Wall
This part of the Great Wall is constructed quite differently and mostly hasn't stood the test of time. Great to be in the Gobi Desert on the Ancient Silk Road and to come across a part of the Great Wall this old.
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3ariellek_bj 5:00 PM Mar 1, 2012
"Greatness" hidden
Why is this "Great Wall" not so great? This was built in the Han Dynasty, over 2,000 years ago and so what's left of it no longer looks like a wall of defence against intruders. What you got to admire is what these walls are built with -- there were no bricks or cement available in this desert area. So people used reed, hemp, and branches from locally growing poplar and tamarisk, mixed them with sand and small rocks from the area, and build this wall by putting all these materials in compact layers. Note that this whole sightseeing area (including the Han Great Wall, Yumen Pass, and the Hecang Ancient City) are all included in the RMB 40 admission ticket. You'll need to hire or drive a car to get there. There is no public transportation going to this area, which is almost 2 hours' drive west of the city. In between these 3 sights there's also great distances. Note: Pack a light lunch and adequate water before you go. Also, make sure your driver is in good health condition and is not driving in fatigue. Whether you're going in winter (like me), or in the summer, driving 2 hours one way / 4 hours roundtrip within a day can be very tiring.
