In Chinese history, the Han Great Wall was the longest Great Wall ever built. The Han Great Wall extends from Liaodong in the east to Xinjiang in the west, having a total length of 10,000 km. The Hexi Great Wall, a section of the Han Great Wall, extends along the Silk Road in the Hexi Corridor. It was not only defensive, but also protected merchants passing by and promoted exchanges between and development of areas on both sides of the Great Wall.

Beyond the Yumen Pass vernal wind will never blow, and willows are not green. However, hardy rose willows can be found in the saline-alkali soil there. Their branches were used to build the Great Wall. Rose willows bring forth coccineous flowers in early summer, making the Silk Road in the desert full of life.