By Simatai Great Wall
Dong Yaohui
“Taking the West Pass”
Shahukou used to be called “Xikou”. Located in Youyu County at the junction of Shanxi and Inner Mongolia, it was the most important pass on the outer Great Wall in the Yanbei region, boasting spectacular sections of the ancient Great Wall and many watchtowers.
In the early years of the Qing Dynasty, Han people weren't permitted to go beyond the confines of the Great Wall and Mongolian people were prohibited from freely crossing it. At the end of the Qing Dynasty, after the ban on Mongolian people’s entrance was lifted, Shanxi merchants prospered in their business, and Shahukou became a stop on people’s long distance trip and a commercial port for businessmen. Workers and businessmen in the Yanbei area were accustomed to using Datong as a dividing point, calling Shahukou in the west as the West Pass and Zhangjiakou in the east as the East Pass. The area inside the Great Wall was called “Kouli”, meaning “inside the pass”, and the area outside “Kouwai”, meaning “outside the pass”. Businessmen and immigrants who moved outward through Shahukou were referred to as “Zou Xikou”, meaning “taking the West Pass”.
Shahukou Great Wall by Li Ping'an / TuchongSimatai Great Wall
Shahukou is located at the foot of the Great Wall, bordering Leigong Mountain and Miaotou Mountain in the north, Yanhouliang in the south, Tangzi Mountain in the east and Dabao Mountain in the west. Shahukou was crowded because many people took the West Pass, with an endless stream of people running back and forth between the south and north. Business opportunities grew along with the population. During the Ming Dynasty, Shahukou was closely guarded by the army. During the Qing Dynasty, however, although there were garrison guards, its main function was to collect tariffs.
Shahukou Fort
The Shahukou Fort was built with rammed earth in the 23rd year of Jiajing Emperor’s reign during the Ming Dynasty (1544), and the wall was covered with bricks in the 2nd year of the reign of Wanli Emperor (1574). In 1615, another new fort was built outside of the Shahukou Fort. The new fort was called Pingji Fort, and it had the same shape and size as Shahukou. After that, the structure of the Shahukou complex contained both the new and old fort, connected with a wall. The forts had gates on four sides. On both sides of the Great Wall sections that meet at Shahukou, there were many watchtowers and fortified towers. The Great Wall, the forts and the towers worked closely with each other and formed a complete defensive system.
Shahukou Great Wall by Li Ping'an / TuchongSimatai Great Wall
The forts' gate was deliberately built low, so that only one person walking their horse could pass through, thus reducing the risk of someone charging through the gate. At present, a short, uneven stone road remains inside the city gate. It is wide enough for a carriage to drive alongside several pedestrians.
Standing on the Shahukou Fort, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the entire complex. Shahukou Fortand Pingji Fort are clearly visible, standing alongside each other. In the fort, there were eight government offices overseeing military affairs, taxation and postal services. Inside the forts there is a bridge named “Tongshun” (meaning “smooth” in Chinese). The bridge is the starting point of the ancient road towards the West Pass. Those who took the West Pass would first cross this bridge, wishing for a smooth trip, and that was how the bridge got its name.
