Jianmen Pass
Name in Chinese: 剑门关 Jiàn Mén Guān [dʒæ men guæ]
Duration of Tour: Half a Day
Location: Jiange County, Guangyuan Prefecture, Sichuan Province
Highlight: Exploration of the Three Kingdoms’ History
Must-see Sightseeing Spots: Jianmen Fortress and Cuiyun Corridor
Reputations: A National Five-star Scenic Area, a National Key Historical and Cultural Relic Site under Protection
Jianmen Pass is located in the north of Sichuan Province. It was originally constructed by Zhuge Liang(181-234), the prime minister of the Shu Han Kingdom(221-263). The pass has become well-known for over 1,700 years due to its strategic location. It is nicknamed as the No.1 Pass in China. During the Three Kingdoms Period(220-280), Zhuge Liang launched his military expedition against the Wei Kingdom(220-265). He repaired the Ancient Shu Path, built fortresses along the path and garrisoned his troops in the fortresses. The view of the pass is awe-inspiring and magnificent. The whole scenic area comprises two parts, namely Jianmen Fortress and Cuiyun Corridor.
Jianmen Fortress
The watchtower at the pass looks magnificent. It serves as the gate of the fortress. The gate is 18.3 meters(60 feet) in width, 19.6 meters(64 feet) in height and 17.7 meters(58 feet) in depth. It was damaged by the earthquake which happened in 2008. The present building was reconstructed in 2009.
The Glass Viewing Platform and the Glass Bridge
Both the viewing platform and the bridge are made of glass. The project was completed in 2014. The viewing platform and the bridge lie on the summit of Dajian Mountain. The viewing platform is a 150-meter(492-foot) drop. The bridge is 3 meters(10 feet) in width and 20 meters(66 feet) in length.
Liangshan Monastery
Liangshan Monastery is situated on the summit of Dajian Mountain. It is supposed to be the place where Emperor Liang-Wu practiced his Buddhism. The monastery can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty(618-907). It was expanded in the Qing Dynasty(1644-1911). The compound consists of two main buildings, namely the Hall of Avalokitesvara and the Mahavira Hall.
Cuiyun Corridor
Cuiyun Corridor is a section of the Ancient Shu Path. The path is flanked by cypress trees. People planted 12,351 cypress trees along the path in the past 2,300 years. Cuiyun means emerald cloud in English. The part of the ancient path looks like a corridor sheltered by the verdant trees. Cuiyun Corridor is a national four-star scenic area. It lies 7 km(4.3 miles) to the south of Jianmen Pass.
Travel Tips:
How to Get to Jianmen Pass
Jianmen Pass is situated in the south of Guangyuan Prefecture. The distance between the pass and the downtown of Guangyuan is about 50 km(31 miles). It takes an our to get to the pass form the downtown by a car. Travelers can drive along the expressway or ride a bullet train from Chengdu to both Guangyuan and Jianmen Pass.
Opening Hours:
9:00 A.M. --- 6:00 P.M.
Related Articles:
Guangyuan Travel Guide
Chengdu Travel Guide
Huangze Monastery
Author: Tina Luo
Update:
