Map of the
Ming Great Wall. The gray dots on the map indicate the locations of the military garrisons.
The Nine Garrisons, or Nine Defense Areas (
Chinese: 九边;
pinyin: Jiǔbiān, also known as
Chinese: 九镇;
pinyin: Jiǔzhèn), was a system implemented during the
Ming dynasty (1368–1644) to protect the northern border and the
Great Wall. Originally consisting of nine garrisons, the system was later expanded to eleven. Each garrison was controlled from a fortified garrison town, strategically located at important passages and reinforced militarily. The leadership of the garrisons was divided among three supreme commanders: Jiliao, Xuanda, and Shaanxi sanbian. Each garrison had a military commander, as well as a civilian administration. In total, approximately 300,000 soldiers and officers were deployed in the garrisons.[1]
Garrisons under Jiliao
Jiliao is a shortened term used to refer to the regions of Jizhou and Liaodong.[2] The jurisdiction of Jiliao encompasses the following garrisons:
Liaodong Garrison (遼東鎮) was headquartered in
Liaoyang. Its area of responsibility extended from the
Hushan Wall on the Korean border river
Yalu in the east to
Shanhaiguan in the west, covering a total distance of 975 km.
Jizhou Garrison (薊州鎮), also known as Ji, was established by the Yongle Emperor (r. 1402–1424). Its headquarters were likely situated in Santunying, northwest of
Qianxi. The garrison's jurisdiction covered the Great Wall of China, spanning from
Shanhaiguan in the east to the
Juyong Pass north of
Beijing, encompassing a total distance of 600 km.
Changping Garrison (昌平镇), established by the
Jiajing Emperor (r. 1522–1567), was located in
Changping, northwest of Beijing. Its primary responsibility was to protect the capital and the imperial tombs. The garrison's jurisdiction extended from
Jiankou, north of Beijing, where the Great Wall divides, to Zijingguan, located outside of
Yi County, covering a total distance of 230 km.
Zhenbao Garrison (真保镇), established by the Jiajing Emperor, had its headquarters in
Baoding, and was responsible for protecting the southern part of the Great Wall of China. This section of the wall stretched from Zijingguan, past Daomaguan, along the border between
Hebei and
Shanxi, and possibly as far south as
Wu'an, covering a total distance of 390 km.
Garrisons under Xuanda
Xuanda is a combination of the names Xuanfu and Datong. The jurisdiction of Xuanda encompasses the following garrisons:[2]
Xuanfu Garrison (宣府鎮) was established by the
Yongle Emperor (r. 1402–1424) and its headquarters were situated near present-day
Xuanhua. The garrison's jurisdiction extended from
Juyongguan, north of
Beijing, to
Huai'an, northeast of
Datong, covering a total distance of 510 km. Due to its strategic location northwest of Beijing, the Xuanfu Garrison's wall was reinforced for added protection.
Datong Garrison (大同鎮) was headquartered in Datong, with a responsibility area spanning from
Tianzhen in the northeast to
Qingshuihe at the northeast bend of the
Yellow River, covering a total distance of 335 km.
Taiyuan Garrison (太原鎮) also known as the Shanxi Garrison, was controlled from
Pianguan. Its area of responsibility extended from
Hequ on the
Yellow River, facing east past Yanmenguan towards the
Taihang Mountains on the border of Hebei, to the Zhenbao Wall, covering a total distance of 800 km.
Garrisons under Shaanxi sanbian
The following garrisons were under the authority of Shaanxi sanbian:[2]
Yansui Garrison (延綏鎮) was headquartered in
Yulin. Its area of responsibility extended from
Fugu on the
Yellow River to
Yanchi in
Ningxia, near the border of
Shaanxi. This covered a total distance of 885 km.
Ningxia Garrison (寧夏鎮) was headquartered in
Yinchuan, a city located on the
Yellow River. Its area of responsibility extended from Yanchi to
Zhongwei along the Yellow River.
Guyuan Garrison (固原鎮), also known as the Shaanxi Garrison, was headquartered in
Guyuan, Ningxia. Its jurisdiction extended from
Jingbian to
Gaolan in
Gansu, along the Yellow River, covering a total distance of 500 km.
Gansu Garrison (甘肅鎮) was headquartered in
Zhangye. Its area of responsibility extended from
Lanzhou on the Yellow River westward to the
Jiayu Pass, covering a total distance of 800 km.
^Twitchett, Denis C; Mote, Frederick W., eds. (1998). The Cambridge History of China Volume 7: The Ming Dynasty, 1368–1644, Part 1. Cambridge University Press. p. 373.
ISBN0521243327.