Nine Garrisons of the Ming dynasty

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.

The leadership of the garrisons was divided among three supreme commanders: Jiliao, Xuanda, and Shaanxi sanbian.

[1] Jiliao is a shortened term used to refer to the regions of Jizhou and Liaodong.

[2] The jurisdiction of Jiliao encompasses the following garrisons: Xuanda is a combination of the names Xuanfu and Datong.