Hanging wall
On the ridge.
David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada — CC BY 2.0 · Aine Hickey — CC BY 3.0 · guan — CC BY 3.0 · guan — CC BY 3.0 · David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada — CC BY 2.0 · guan — CC BY 3.0 · guan — CC BY 3.0
A section of the Great Wall on the north slope of Black Mountain at the mouth of Shiguan Gorge, about eight kilometres north of the Jiayu Pass fort. Built in 1539 under the Ming, it climbs a rock ridge at close to 45 degrees, so from afar it seems to hang in the air, hence its name. It once ran about 15 km, and in 1987 some 750 m were restored with battlements and a beacon tower. Visitors climb very steep steps to the top, looking out over Jiayu Pass, the desert plains and the snowy Qilian Mountains on the horizon. Entry comes with the Jiayu Pass fort ticket, CNY 110 from May to October and 90 the rest of the year, open from 8 am to 8 pm since May, per visitor guides; the climb is tiring in the heat, so bring water.
On the ridge.
At the top.
Snow-capped.
North slope of Black Mountain at Shiguan Gorge, about 8 km north of Jiayu Pass
No, entry comes with the Jiayu Pass fort ticket, CNY 110 from May to October and 90 the rest of the year, per visitor guides.