The towering gateway to southern Xinjiang, a fortress with a millennia of history—Friendship Pass.
One of China's nine famous passes and the only one still in use, it's known as China's southern gateway. Originally built during the Han Dynasty, it has weathered many vicissitudes and remains remarkably well-preserved. To the left of the gate tower are the walls of Zuobi Mountain, and to the right, the walls of Youfu Mountain, each imposing and majestic, like a giant python bridging the foothills of two mountains. Here, you can see the ancient Great Wall built during the Ming Dynasty, with its sturdy tree roots entwined within the walls. Climb the stone steps to the summit, where you'll admire the ancient artillery fort and experience the vicissitudes of Zhennan Pass's history.
"Open the door and you're in Vietnam; a few steps and you're in ASEAN" vividly describes the Friendship Pass's status and convenience as a crucial land route between China and Vietnam.
The blood-red kapok flowers are in full bloom, and as the years pass peacefully and the people prosper, the thousand-year-old fortress still guards the southern border. With the vast mountains and rivers as witness, the border defense line stands like an iron wall. Guarding every inch of land is the blood belief of border guards.