The Pass of Yangguan is
located 70km southwest of
Dunhuang town. Since the
location is south of Yumen
pass, hence the name of
Yangguan ( Yan means south
in Chinese). It was once
one of the two passes of
great strategic importance
at the western tip of Hexi
Corridor, built in Han Dynasty
by Emperor Wudi. A county
was set up here in Wei and
Jin Dynasties. It still
played a roll in Dang dynasty.
The eminent monk Xuanzang
went on a pilgrimage for
Buddhist scriptures. On
his way back to Chang’an
(present-day Xian), he passed
through Yangguan Pass by
the way along the foot of
the Tianshan Mountains.
The old town of Yangguan
Pass is no longer in existence,
but there are some watchtowers
doted around . Among them,
the one on top of a hill
north of the curios sands
is still preserved, little
more than a ruin, which
is 4.7m in height, top side
is 8m from south to north
and 6.8m from east to west,
the bottom side is 8m from
south to north and 7.5m
from east to west. It has
been known as the eyes and
ears of Yangguang Pass.
Many people both in ancient
and modern times have composed
poems with it as subject.
The great poet Wangwei in
the Tang Dynast once wrote
a oft-quoted and widely
loved poem. The meaning
is something like that “
Morning rain washed dust
off, houses are clean and
willows look new. Drink
up one more cup, there is
no more familiar face beyond
Yanguang Pass.
