On the way to the border with Inner Mongolia, we stopped at Yanmenguan. This is/was an important section of the Great Wall being an important mountain pass facilitating trade and be came known as the "First Pass of China". Since the Western Zhou dynasty, over 2000 battles have taken place here and it has been a focal point for cross-cultural development. The air was fresh with melting snow on the ground...the wall of notable historical characters include Mao Zedong donning his overcoat - I am not surprised.

 

 

 

 

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