Dúshíkǒu

Dushikou is a mountain pass on the northern edge of the Ming frontier defences. Its fortress and watchtowers guarded a route from the grasslands towards Xuanfu and Beijing. In 1449 an Oirat army advanced through Dushi and Maying during the campaign that ended in the capture of the Ming emperor at Tumu. Local kilns supplied building materials for the walls and signal towers; in 1734 the Qing established an administrative office at the pass.