Jiayuguan ancient fortress reopens to public

Jiayuguan, Gansu province, is the western terminal of the Ming Great Wall.[Photo/xinhuanet.com]

Jiayuguan, the ancient fortress of the Great Wall in Northwest China's Gansu province, opened to the public recently after several years of renovation.

The renovation started in 2011 and cost 2.03 billion yuan ($319 million).

As one of the gates of the Great Wall, Jiayuguan was built in 1372, during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). In 1987, it was listed among the World Cultural Heritage Sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).