Located 5 km (3.1 miles) west of Jiayuguan City, Gansu Province, Jiayuguan is the most important pass in the west part of the Ming-dynasty great wall in China as well as one communication center of the ancient Silk Road. It was initially built in 1372, the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), and finished in 1540. Jiayuguan totals 60 kilometers (37.3 miles), consisting of three parts - the Western, the Eastern and the Northern sections. On Jiayuguan, there were built with many defensive constructions, including fortress, city wall towers and arrow towers.