Dunhuang - Jiayuguan - Tianshui

We have breakfast at the hotel and leave for Jiayuguan; home to Jiayuguan Pass, the largest and most intact pass, or entrance, of the Great Wall. Jiayuguan Pass was built in the late Ming dynasty, somewhere around the year 1372. It was built near an oasis that was then on the extreme western edge of China. Jiayuguan Pass was the first pass on the west end of the great wall so it earned the name "The First and Greatest Pass under Heaven." Legend goes that the official in charge asked the designer to calculate how many bricks would be used. The designer gave him the number and when the project was finished, only one brick was left. It was put on the top of the pass as a symbol of commemoration. The bus ride amidst impressive scenery will take quite a while because of rather poor road conditions. In the evening we drive to Tianshui by train. Overnight on board of the train.