Jiayuguan; the 鈥楩irst and Greatest Pass under Heaven'; was completed in 1372 on the orders of Zhu Yuanzhang; the first Ming Emperor (1368-98); to mark the end of the Ming Great Wall. It was also the very limits of Chinese civilisation; and the beginnings of the outer 鈥榖arbarian' lands.

For centuries the fort was not just of strategic importance to Han Chinese; but of cultural significance as well. This was the last civilised place before the outer darkness; those proceeding beyond; whether disgraced officials or criminals; faced a life of exile among nomadic strangers.

Jiayuguan or Jiayu Pass (literally 'Excellent Valley Pass') is the first pass at the west end of the Great Wall of China; near the city of Jiayuguan in Gansu province.