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[Jitian Vision] Jiayuguan: An epic fortress deep in the Gobi Desert
2025-07-31
Suzhou Satellite No. 1 (Jitianxing A-03) and Jilin University Satellite No. 1 (Jitianxing A-01) are the first two satellites of the next-generation optical remote sensing constellation independently developed by Jitianxingzhou. Equipped with independently developed optical cameras featuring high time efficiency, high geometry, and high spectral performance, the satellites possess both conventional and in-motion imaging capabilities, with a ground-level panchromatic, multispectral, and hyperspectral resolution of 3 meters and a swath width of 15 kilometers.
In the vast northwest, nestled in a canyon between two mountain ranges, the outline of Jiayuguan Pass, like a resilient seal, is deeply imprinted on the veins of the Hexi Corridor. Standing between the Qilian Mountains and the Black Mountains, this pass is not only the western starting point of the Ming Great Wall but also a Silk Road epic etched in stone, bearing witness to the millennia-long interweaving of swordplay and the sounds of camel bells.
Satellite imagery reveals the site of Jiayuguan as a model of ancient military geography. Nestled between the Qilian Mountains to the south and the Black Mountains to the north, the valley between the two mountains is only three kilometers wide at its narrowest point. Fascinated by this terrain, where "one man guards the pass, ten thousand cannot break through," Feng Sheng, the Ming Dynasty general who conquered the west, built a fortress here in 1372, using the river as a barrier and rammed earth, seamlessly integrating man-made defenses with natural barriers.
Today, the walls of Jiayuguan still withstand the wind and sand, but their military mission has long since ceased. Beyond the city walls, the Chinese Dragon Forest curves across the Gobi Desert. Drought-resistant saxaul and red willow trees, nurtured by drip irrigation, have taken root and flourished, giving this ancient fortress a new ecological presence. Its dragon-like silhouette crouches on the west side of the fortress, its head facing the first pier of the Great Wall and its tail extending into the modern urban area. It not only carries on the cultural legacy of the "dragon totem," but also serves as an ecological benchmark for the transformation of desert into an oasis.
Looking back over time from a satellite perspective, Jiayuguan's significance has never been limited to military defense. Historically, it was a crucial hub on the Silk Road. Persian silver coins and fragments of Chinese porcelain unearthed near the fort bear witness to a prosperous era characterized by "envoys meeting on the road and merchants traveling endlessly." Today, arrows no longer fly from the arrow windows in the fortress walls; instead, tourists gaze in search of history. Outside, photovoltaic arrays complement the verdant landscape of Longlin, writing a new chapter of development in the new era.
The true allure of this majestic fortress lies in its enduring witness to the dialogue between humanity and nature: ancient inhabitants adapted to the Gobi desert with wisdom, building a formidable barrier for survival; contemporary people, with awe, restore the ecosystem and use technology to revitalize the desert. In satellite imagery, the texture of the rammed earth walls and the curving green of Longlin form a wondrous echo, resembling a three-dimensional history of civilization—engraved with memories of swordplay, resonating with the lingering sound of camel bells, and nurturing the hope of harmonious coexistence between man and nature.
