Shanhaiguan Pass of the Great Wall

Shanhaiguan, hailed as the "First Pass Under Heaven," marks the eastern end of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall where it plunges into the Bohai Sea. This fortress symbolizes China’s historical defense against invasions and blends awe-inspiring architecture with coastal majesty.

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- Shanhaiguan Pass, also called "Yu guan Pass", is located in the northeast of Qinhuangdao City. It was built in 1381 during the Ming Dynasty and was the most important pass of the Great Wall at that time. The pass was once a strong and powerful defense system, protecting the strategic passage between the north and northeast China. The city wall of Shanhaiguan Pass connects with the great wall stretching onto the Yanshan Mountains in the north and into the Bohai Sea in the south.

Address in English : No.1 East Avenue, Shanhaiguan District, Qinghuangdao, Hebei Province
Address in Chinese : 河北省秦皇岛市山海关区东大街1号
Tel : 86-335-5051313
Post code : 66200
Ticket time : 7:00-17:00
Open time : 7:00-17:30
Closing time :
Location : Shanhaiguan Pass of the Great Wall is around 28 km to downtown Qinhuangdao

- Public bus: 25, 13, 21
Private car is the best method to visit Shanhaiguan Pass of the Great Wall with local tour operator.

Shanhaiguan Pass was constructed in 1381 during the Ming Dynasty by General Xuda. Because it was built between mountain and sea, so called Shanhaiguan(mountain-sea-pass). General Qi Jiguang constructed a military city around the pass and made it one of the most heavily fortified passes in China. The pass protected the widest corridor between China and its strongest rival neighbors. It was considered as "the No.1 Pass". During the Qing Dynasty, Shanhaiguan Pass was referred to as the "Key to the Capital" for it position between Shenyang and Beijing. Shanhaiguan Pass witnessed many conflicts in the period of the Republic of China and World War II.

Shanhaiguan Pass is a small town built as a square, with a perimeter of around 4 kilometres. The city wall the great wall stretching onto the Yanshan Mountains in the north and into the Bohai Sea in the south. The wall is 14 meters high and 7 meters thick. The east, south and north sides are surrounded by the deep, wide moat.
There are four main city gates and many defensive buildings. The most important gate is Zhendong Gate in the east wall. The arrow tower on the east gate is 13.7 meters higer with two floors. A plaque inscribed with the Chinese characters 'tian xia di yi guan' (the No.1 Pass under the Heaven) is hanging on the tower.
The first floor is the of Great Wall Museum now. Standing on the second floor, visitors can have a full view of both inside and outside of the Shanhaiguan Pass.
On the same axis with Zhendong Tower, there are four other towers, Weiyuan Tower, Jingbian Tower, Muying Tower and Linlu tower. These five towers form a strong protective screen guarding the Pass.

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Shanhaiguan Pass of the Great Wall
Shanhaiguan, hailed as the "First Pass Under Heaven," marks the eastern end of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall where it plunges into the Bohai Sea. This fortress symbolizes China’s historical defense against invasions and blends awe-inspiring architecture with coastal majesty.
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The Great Wall at Shanhaiguan stretches 26 kilometers long. closing the 10-kilometer gap between the Jiaoshan mountains and the sea in the south. So the section on Jiaoshan Mountain and the great wall into the Bohai Sea(called Laolongtou) are worth to visit.
In addition, travelers can visit the Temple of Meng Jiang Nu, climbing Changshoushan Mountain or go boating on Yansai Lake.