Baiyin, Gansu Province

The Earthen Sentinel: Discovering the Ming Dynasty Legacy of Yongtai Tortoise City

🏯Old Towns 📸Photography 🚙Road Trip 🛤️Silk Road(丝绸之路)

Altitude

1,750m

Best Time

🌸 🍂

Ticket

Paid

ℹ️

About This Attraction

Located approximately 25 kilometers southwest of Sitan Town in Jingtai County, Baiyin, Yongtai Tortoise City is a rare and remarkably preserved military fortress dating back to the Ming Dynasty. Constructed in 1608 during the 36th year of the Wanli Emperor’s reign, it was built as a strategic base to defend against northern tribal incursions along the frontier. The city earned its name from its unique architectural layout, which resembles a "Golden Tortoise Seizing the Sea" when viewed from above: the southern gate acts as the head, the northern gate as the tail, and the four peripheral gates as the legs.

The fortress features a perimeter wall of 1.7 kilometers, standing 12 meters high and made entirely of compacted yellow earth. Historically, the city was a complete military ecosystem, equipped with battlements, gates, horse tracks, and a surrounding moat. Within its walls, the city once supported a garrison of soldiers and their families, housing granaries, temples, and even a historic school. Surrounding the city are several beacon towers located on high ground, which were used to transmit military signals across the desert.

Today, Yongtai Tortoise City is recognized as a "Living Fossil" of ancient Chinese military architecture. While it remains a living village, it faces challenges from desertification and a declining population. For travelers, it offers a hauntingly beautiful landscape of ruin and resilience. It has become a premier destination for photography, particularly at sunset when the golden light hits the earthen walls and local shepherds drive their flocks through the ancient gates. Its rugged, authentic atmosphere has also made it a popular filming location for numerous movies and television dramas.

✨ Why Visit Yongtai Turtle City / Fortress

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The Tortoise Layout

Witness the unique Ming Dynasty design where the gates and walls form the shape of a massive tortoise.

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Ancient Military Defense

Explore a complete 400-year-old defense system including 12-meter-high earthen walls and high-altitude beacon towers.

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Living Frontier History

Walk through a fortress that transitioned from an imperial garrison to a modern-day village.

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Cinematic Landscapes

Visit the rugged site that has served as a backdrop for various famous Chinese films and desert dramas.

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Sunset Shepherding Scenes

Capture the iconic sight of sheep returning to the fortress under the glow of a high-plateau sunset.

Location & Nearby

📍 Baiyin, Gansu Province • 🏔️ 1750m elevation

Frequently Asked Questions - Yongtai Turtle City / Fortress Travel Guide

When was Yongtai Tortoise City built?

It was established in 1608 during the Ming Dynasty to serve as a military garrison.

Is the city still inhabited?

Yes, it is still a living village, although many residents have moved away due to the harsh desert environment and lack of water.

Where is it located?

It is situated in the寺滩 (Sitan) area of Jingtai County, within the Baiyin region of Gansu Province.

Why do you include Chinese characters and Pinyin in the descriptions for Yongtai Turtle City / Fortress?

We provide the original Chinese names and Pinyin to make your travel smoother. Since English is rarely spoken in remote parts of Western China, you can easily show these Chinese names to local taxi drivers, hotel staff, or police when asking for help, or copy-paste them directly into Chinese navigation apps like Amap (高德地图) or Baidu Maps.