As this is the west end-point of the Great Wall of China, it was regarded as the outskirts of the Chinese land. People leaving the 嘉峪关 gate are said to have entered foreign grounds, akin to us travelling overseas.
嘉峪关 at a distance...
While walking along the pavement leading up to the 嘉峪关... The snowy mountains looks on at the background.
The wide passageway leading to the 嘉峪关.
嘉峪关 houses an opera house in addition to a temple (which the soldiers pray for safety) and a general house. This opera house is used mainly as the sole entertainment for soldiers who are stationed here permanently. On careful examination, this opera house also promotes moral education. Taoist paintings on the inner walls speak of stories and consequences which one has to bear because of his immoral actions. One such story is about a monk who fell in love with a lady. Subsequently, the lady was pregnant. However, she didn't give birth to a child. Instead, it was a hideous looking animal which the lady was holding onto on the paintings.
The remains of the Great Wall of China. Facing the west, there are 2 layers of brick wall instead of one. In doing so, the outer layer of brick wall is used to block all light from the city which it surrounds. This gives foreigners a false sense of inactivity within the Chinese land, detering any invading conquest.
These 2 gates (second one in the background) are built precisely on a straight line.
The large assembly hall in the middle is used for morning trainings. Notice the life-size straw men in the foreground? They are used for archery shooting practices. Archerers position themselves ontop of the city wall and aim down at these straw targets.
Passageways leading up the peak of the city wall are divided into 2 sections: slopes and steps to accomodate both horses and soldiers respectively up the city wall.
