Yanmen Pass, Xinzhou, Shanxi

For centuries, Yanmen Pass in Xinzhou, Shanxi, has stood as one of China's most renowned frontier fortresses, earning the saying, "Of the nine great frontier passes, Yanmen ranks first". The existing fortress dates back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and guards a historic gateway between China's Central Plains and the northern frontier. With its imposing fortifications, stretching walls, and beacon towers, Yanmen Pass offers a vivid glimpse into centuries of border defense, trade, and cultural exchange.

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