History
A fortified post where the Yellow River turns east after meeting the Wei was established in the late 2nd century under the Han dynasty, replacing the older Hangu Pass. In 211 Cao Cao fought a hard battle here against Ma Chao and Han Sui, and in 756 the defeat of the general Geshu Han opened the road to Chang'an for An Lushan's rebels and forced Emperor Xuanzong to flee. Under the Ming dynasty a walled garrison town grew up around the pass, straddling the main road from northern China to the west. It survived into the 20th century, but around 1959, before the reservoir behind the Sanmenxia Dam was filled, the walls were dismantled and the county seat was moved elsewhere.
What to see
Of the old town on the Yellow River there remain mainly stretches of rammed-earth wall and the loess terraces where gates and towers once stood. In recent years parts of the defences have been rebuilt for visitors, including gate towers and sections of wall. The riverside bluffs give wide views over the bend of the river, where the provinces of Shaanxi, Shanxi and Henan meet, with the Mount Hua massif rising to the west.
Wikipedia article Wikidata Q6757995
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