Yinchuan Ming Great Wall at Sanguankou

Among the Ming great walls in Ningxia, Ming Great Wall at Sanguankou (三关口明长城), probably the most recognized pass here, continues to be well-preserved. It is actually situated at the border between Ningxia and Inner Mongolia, on the south of the Helan Mountain and around 40 km to the west of Yinchuan City.

Just like its name indicates, Sanguankou contains three passes, at a distance of about 2.5 km in between. The first pass is the primary one in the three, which is found at an open mountain area linking to the great wall in the north as well as the south. The second one just has a rammed earth platform on the top of the mountain towards the south of the pass. The third one takes up a very strategic position, enclosed by cliffs to both the sides.
 

In comparison to the fantastic Badaling Great Wall, Shanhaiguan as well as Jiayuguan, the great wall in Ningxia has been very seriously damaged as a result of very long history along with very little protection. Living through more than 2,000 years' history, the wall constructed by Qinshihuang near Shanpotou of Zhongwei City on the southern bank of the Yellow River has been in ruins absolutely.

Nevertheless, the protection of the Ningxia Great Wall continues to be in trouble, as the walls are mainly found in the Gobi desert or on the high mountains, and are also incredibly far-ranging and remote.