Located in Shanhaiguan District, Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province, Shanhaiguan Scenic Area is a national 5A-level tourist attraction and a key national cultural heritage site, known as the "First Pass Under Heaven". Bordered by the Yanshan Mountains in the north and the Bohai Sea in the south, it serves as one of the northeastern passes of the Ming Great Wall and a transportation hub between North China and Northeast China.
The scenic area covers approximately 12 square kilometers, with the core area being the Shanhaiguan Ancient City. The ancient city wall has a circumference of about 4,700 meters, a height of 14 meters, and a width of 7 meters, with four gates (east, west, south, and north). The east gate, "Zhendong Gate," serves as the main entrance to the scenic area. The gate tower is 13.7 meters high, hanging the plaque "First Pass Under Heaven". Integrating Great Wall culture, military culture, pass culture, and coastal scenery, the scenic area holds the important position of "throat of border counties, safeguard of the capital" and is a significant representative of Chinese Great Wall culture.
Historical Culture
Shanhaiguan was first built in the 14th year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty (1381), presided over by Xu Da, a founding general of the Ming Dynasty, with a history of more than 600 years. Due to its strategic location, it has been a contested place for military strategists since the Ming and Qing dynasties. Many important battles in history, such as Wu Sangui leading the Qing army into the pass at the end of the Ming Dynasty and the Yuguan Resistance War in modern times, have left rich historical relics and stories.
The ancient city of Shanhaiguan is a relatively well-preserved military defense system along the Ming Great Wall. The city distributes Ming and Qing buildings such as yamen, temples, and residences, reflecting the ancient urban planning concept of "garrisoning troops to defend borders" and "integration of military and civilians". In 1988, Shanhaiguan was listed in the World Cultural Heritage - the Great Wall of China project, becoming a cultural landmark connecting mountains and seas and carrying history.
Main Attractions
First Pass Under Heaven Tower
The First Pass Under Heaven Tower is the landmark building of Shanhaiguan, located at the east gate of the ancient city, also known as the "Zhendong Tower". The tower is of brick-wood structure, five bays wide and three bays deep, 13.7 meters high, with a double-eave hip roof. The plaque "First Pass Under Heaven" on the tower was written by Xiao Xian, a calligrapher of the Ming Dynasty, with vigorous and powerful fonts. The tower displays cultural relics such as Ming Dynasty weapons and city defense models. Climbing the tower offers a panoramic view of the ancient city and the Yanshan Mountains.
Old Dragon's Head
Old Dragon's Head is located 5 kilometers south of Shanhaiguan City, the eastern starting point of the Ming Great Wall, named because the wall stretches into the Bohai Sea like a giant dragon. It consists of buildings such as the Sea-Entry Stone City, Jinglu Terrace, Chenghai Tower, and Nanhaikou Pass. The Sea-Entry Stone City extends 22.4 meters into the sea, built with giant stone strips, a wonder of ancient military defense engineering. The Great Wall Museum in the scenic area displays the integration of Great Wall history and marine culture.
Meng Jiangnu Temple
Meng Jiangnu Temple is located on Fenghuang Mountain, 6 kilometers east of Shanhaiguan City, built to commemorate the folk legend "Meng Jiangnu Crying Over the Great Wall". First built in the Song Dynasty, the existing buildings were rebuilt during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. The temple covers an area of about 4,000 square meters, with main buildings such as the mountain gate, main hall, and rear hall. The main hall has a statue of Meng Jiangnu. The temple preserves the "Greatest Wonder Couplet Under Heaven": "Haishui chao zhao zhao chao zhao chao zhao luo, Fuyun chang chang chang chang chang chang chang xiao", which cleverly uses the polyphonic characteristics of Chinese characters, thought-provoking.
Jiaoshan Great Wall
Jiaoshan Great Wall is located 3 kilometers north of Shanhaiguan City, the first mountain peak crossed by the Ming Great Wall from the Old Dragon's Head, with an altitude of 519 meters, named because the mountain shape is like a horn. The wall winds along the mountain ridge, about 3 kilometers in total length, with defense facilities such as enemy platforms and beacon towers. The Jiaoshan Scenic Area also has attractions such as Qixian Temple and Ruilian Pengri. Climbing the wall offers a distant view of Shanhaiguan Ancient City and the Bohai Bay, feeling the spectacular scene of the "Great Wall Hanging Inverted".
Shanhaiguan Ancient City
The ancient city of Shanhaiguan is the core area of the scenic area, covering about 1.2 square kilometers, preserving the street pattern and a large number of historical buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The main street in the ancient city is the "Cross Street": the East Street connects the First Pass Under Heaven Tower, the West Street has Dabei Courtyard, the South Street has Zhenyuan Escort Agency, and the North Street has a mosque. The ancient city also distributes relics such as the Bingtun Division, Bell and Drum Tower, and Ying'en Tower. Visitors can walk on the bluestone roads and experience the urban customs of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Cuisine
Sitiao Baozi
Sitiao Baozi is a traditional famous food in Shanhaiguan, named after the original store located in Sitiao Hutong of the ancient city, starting in 1958. Made with high-quality flour and fresh meat fillings using traditional techniques, the buns have thin skins and large fillings, juicy and delicious, especially the classic pork and green onion filling. Mainly sold at Sitiao Baozi Shop in the ancient city, each steamer costs about 25 yuan, a must-try local food for visitors.
Huiji Pastries
Huiji Pastries is an old brand in Shanhaiguan, founded in 1945, famous for halal pastries. Its specialty products include Misandao (honey three knives), Matuan (sesame balls), and white-skin pastries, made with high-quality raw materials by hand, crisp, sweet, and not greasy. The shop is located on South Street in the ancient city, with an average per capita consumption of about 30 yuan, suitable for buying as souvenirs.
Yangchangzi Sausage
Yangchangzi Sausage is a characteristic meat product of Shanhaiguan, created by Yang Tingzhen from Changli, Hebei in 1913, named because it resembles a pig intestine. Made with fresh pork and various spices through multiple processes such as curing, enema, and baking, the sausage has a salty and fragrant taste and a unique flavor. Mainly sold in specialty stores inside and outside the ancient city, priced at about 40 yuan per jin, vacuum-packed for takeaway.
Great Wall Boro Cake
The Great Wall Boro Cake is a traditional pasta in Shanhaiguan, said to be created by Ming Dynasty soldiers, made by wrapping batter with local specialty boro leaves and frying. The cake skin is fragrant, soft, and waxy, which can be paired with meat or vegetable fillings, with a unique taste and rich local flavor. Many restaurants in the scenic area offer this food, priced at about 20 yuan per serving, recommended to try in old-fashioned restaurants in the ancient city.
Admission Tickets
Separate tickets are required for each attraction. It is recommended to buy a combo ticket for better value. The combo ticket (including 6 attractions + sightseeing bus) is 140 yuan/person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "山海关景区" to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is open year-round. Opening hours for each attraction are: April 1 - October 31: 7:30 - 18:00 (last entry at 17:30); November 1 - March 31 of the following year: 7:30 - 17:00 (last entry at 16:30). The Old Dragon's Head Scenic Area extends opening hours to 19:00 during the peak tourist season from July to August, and the opening hours of Meng Jiangnu Temple are appropriately adjusted during cultural activities in spring and autumn, subject to the scenic area announcement.
Tour Routes
Classic One-Day Tour Route
Morning: Enter from the First Pass Under Heaven Tower, visit the tower and then tour the ancient city along East Street, admire Ming and Qing buildings, and taste characteristic snacks like Sitiao Baozi; have lunch in the ancient city. Afternoon: Go to the Old Dragon's Head Scenic Area, visit the Sea-Entry Stone City and Chenghai Tower, and overlook the Bohai Sea; then take a car to Meng Jiangnu Temple to learn about folk legends; finally go to Jiaoshan Great Wall, climb the wall to overlook the mountain and sea scenery, ending the journey. This route covers the core attractions of the scenic area, combining walking and driving, suitable for most visitors.
Cultural In-depth Two-Day Tour Route
Day 1: Morning - Visit the First Pass Under Heaven and Shanhaiguan Ancient City, tour the Bingtun Division and Bell and Drum Tower, and experience ancient city life; afternoon - Go to Jiaoshan Great Wall, hike the wall to feel its steepness, and return to the ancient city in the evening to enjoy the night view. Day 2: Morning - Go to the Old Dragon's Head, focus on visiting the Sea-Entry Stone City and Great Wall Museum to learn about marine defense culture; afternoon - Go to Meng Jiangnu Temple, deeply understand Great Wall culture combined with legends, then go to the nearby Yansai Lake Scenic Area (optional, ticket 40 yuan) for a boat tour, ending the in-depth journey.
Transportation
- Bus: Take Bus No. 25 or 33 from Qinhuangdao Urban Area directly to Shanhaiguan Scenic Area. Buses run from 6:00 to 19:00, about every 10 minutes, with a full fare of 2 yuan and a journey time of about 40 minutes.
- Self-driving: Exit at Shanhaiguan on the Beijing-Harbin Expressway, drive about 3 kilometers along Guancheng South Road to reach the scenic area. The parking lot charges 10 yuan/hour, with about 500 parking spaces.
- Train: Shanhaiguan Railway Station is about 1.5 kilometers from the scenic area, and you can walk or take a taxi (5 yuan) after exiting the station; Qinhuangdao Station is about 15 kilometers from the scenic area, and you can take Bus No. 33 directly.
- Tourist Shuttle: Qinhuangdao Beidaihe Airport has tourist shuttle buses to Shanhaiguan Scenic Area. Departure times are adjusted according to flights, with a fare of 30 yuan/person and a journey time of about 1.5 hours.
Must-Visit Attractions
- First Pass Under Heaven Tower: The symbol of Shanhaiguan, climb the tower to overlook the ancient city and Yanshan Mountains, ticket 40 yuan, recommended tour time 1.5 hours.
- Old Dragon's Head: Where the Great Wall enters the sea, admire the wonder of "Dragon Head Probing the Sea", including the Great Wall Museum, ticket 50 yuan, recommended tour time 2 hours.
- Jiaoshan Great Wall: Climb high to overlook the connection of mountains and sea, experience the "Inverted Great Wall", ticket 30 yuan, recommended tour time 2 hours (can hike or take a cable car, one-way cable car 30 yuan).
- Shanhaiguan Ancient City: Free admission, walk through Ming and Qing streets, taste characteristic foods, recommended tour time 1-2 hours.
- Meng Jiangnu Temple: Learn about folk legends, admire wonderful couplets, ticket 25 yuan, recommended tour time 1 hour.
Tour Tips
- Recommended visit duration: 1-2 days. For in-depth experience of Great Wall culture and ancient city customs, arrange 2 days.
- In summer (June-August), the weather is hot, and the ultraviolet rays by the sea at Old Dragon's Head are strong. Bring sunscreen and a sunhat; in winter (November-February), the wind is strong and cold, pay attention to keeping warm, especially when climbing the Great Wall.
- There are many stone slab roads in the ancient city; it is recommended to wear non-slip shoes; some sections of Jiaoshan Great Wall are steep, so the elderly and children should pay attention to safety and can choose to take a cable car.
- Combo tickets are more cost-effective. You can purchase tickets in advance on the official WeChat public account to avoid queuing; there are many visitors on weekends and holidays, it is recommended to enter the park before 8:00 to avoid peaks.
- There are sea cruises (50 yuan/person) in the Old Dragon's Head Scenic Area, allowing you to experience viewing the Great Wall from the sea; Meng Jiangnu Temple holds a temple fair on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month every year, with traditional folk performances.
Precautions
- The steps of the First Pass Under Heaven Tower are steep; pay attention to safety when going up and down, especially for visitors with children.
- The Sea-Entry Stone City of Old Dragon's Head is slippery; no frolicking is allowed at the edge of the stone city to avoid falling into the water; swimming is prohibited in the scenic area, and please follow the sign regulations.
- There are many cultural relics in Meng Jiangnu Temple; do not touch or use flash photography when taking photos; the temple is located on a hillside with many steps, it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes.
- Some stores and restaurants in the ancient city support code scanning payment, but it is recommended to carry a small amount of cash; compare prices when buying specialties to avoid high-price consumption.
- The parking lot is prone to saturation on weekends; it is recommended to take public transportation or train; the last bus of No. 25 is at 19:00, pay attention to the return time to avoid being stranded.