Desheng Horse Market

Desheng Horse Market

Deshengkou is located 80 li north of Datong City and is an important pass of the Outer Great Wall. The Beijing-Baotou Railway intersects with the Great Wall here, marking the boundary between Shanxi and Inner Mongolia provinces. In the 18th year of the Jiajing reign during the Ming Dynasty (1539 AD), Desheng Fort was built three li south of Deshengkou — “the fort spans two li in length, stands three zhang (approximately 10 meters) high, with walls over two ren (approximately 7 meters) thick, and has two gate towers.” The Ming Dynasty and the Mongolian Huoba tribe established a mutual market agreement to promote trade, ushering in a new era of ethnic unity. At the same time, the Great Wall and beacon towers in the Datong area became symbols of ethnic solidarity and peacekeeping. This peaceful situation lasted for over sixty years. At that time, Desheng Fort was the main trading hub. Through this market, goods such as silk, tea, beans, rice, and other provisions from the Central Plains were transported to Mongolian and northwestern ethnic minority regions; while livestock such as cattle, sheep, horses, and animal hides from minority areas were brought into the Central Plains. Today, despite the many changes throughout history, Desheng Fort remains a vital transportation route between Shanxi and Inner Mongolia, as well as a commercial hub for both Mongolian and Han peoples. Visitors can come here to purchase needed goods or to reflect on history while enjoying pleasant conversation.

Guide:

The Ming Dynasty and the Mongolian Huoba tribe established a mutual market agreement to promote trade, ushering in a new era of ethnic unity. At the same time, the Great Wall and beacon towers in the Datong area became symbols of ethnic solidarity and peacekeeping. This peaceful situation lasted for over sixty years. At that time, Desheng Fort was the main trading hub. Through this market, goods such as silk, tea, beans, rice, and other provisions from the Central Plains were transported to Mongolian and northwestern ethnic minority regions; while livestock such as cattle, sheep, horses, and animal hides from minority areas were brought into the Central Plains. Today, despite the many changes throughout history, Desheng Fort remains a vital transportation route between Shanxi and Inner Mongolia, as well as a commercial hub for both Mongolian and Han peoples. Visitors can come here to purchase needed goods or to reflect on history while enjoying pleasant conversation.

Address: 80 li north of Datong City

Type: Historical Site

Recommended Visiting Time: About 2 hours