The Great Wall Shanhaiguan Pass in Shanhaiguan District, Qinhuangdao

The Great Wall Shanhaiguan Pass

Shanhai Pass is one of the major passes in the Great Wall of China. It is located in Shanhaiguan District, Qinhuangdao, Hebei province. In 1961, the pass was selected as a National Cultural Site of China.

Why is The Great Wall Shanhaiguan Pass So Special

Shanhaiguan Great Wall, also known as Shanhaiguan Pass or Shanhai Pass, is reputed as the “First Pass under Heaven”, because it is the first pass along the Great Wall of China in the east, also because it stood in a strategic location easy to hold but hard to attack and protecting the central plain from the invasion of northern nomadic tribes in ancient times. Shanhaiguan of China is located 9 miles (15 km) northeast of Qinhuangdao City in Hebei Province and 190 miles (305 km) away from Beijing.

Introduction of The Great Wall Shanhaiguan Pass

Shanhai Pass is one of the major passes in the Great Wall of China. It is located in Shanhaiguan District, Qinhuangdao, Hebei province. In 1961, the pass was selected as a National Cultural Site of China. It is a popular tourist destination at the eastern terminal point of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall

History

Located south of Yan Mountain, and north of the Bohai Sea, for centuries the pass guarded the narrow passage between Northeast and Central East China. Both the Northern Qi Dynasty and the Tang Dynasty constructed passes here. In 1381, Ming general Xu Da constructed the present pass, which was named Shanhaiguan (literally “mountain-sea-pass”) because of its position between the mountains and the sea. In the late 16th century, Ming general Qi Jiguang began fortification and construction of a military city around the pass, building cities and forts to the east, south and north, making it one of the most heavily fortified passes in China. Today it is one of the best preserved passes in the Great Wall.

Battle of Shanhai Pass

In 1644, Li Zicheng led a rebel army into the Ming dynasty capital of Beijing, marking the official end of the Ming dynasty. After occupying the capital, Li attempted to enlist the support of Ming general Wu Sangui, commander of the powerful Ningyuan garrison north of the Great Wall. Rather than submit to Li, Wu contacted the Manchu Qing dynasty, suggesting that they combine forces to drive the rebels from the capital. Dorgon, regent of the Qing, marched his army to Shanhai Pass to receive Wu’s surrender. Together, Wu and the Manchus defeated Li Zicheng’s army near the pass, and Li was forced to abandon the capital. The Qing victory enabled their army to enter Beijing unopposed, and established them as the dominant power in China.

Structure

The Shanhai Pass is where the Great Wall of China meets the ocean (at the Bohai Sea).

The Shanhai Pass is built as a square, with a perimeter of around four kilometres (2.5 mi). The walls reach a height of 14 metres (46 feet), and are seven metres (23 feet) thick. The east, south and north sides are surrounded by a deep, wide moat with drawbridges over it. In the middle of the pass stands a tall bell tower.

All four sides of the Shanhai Pass once possessed a gate or mén (門), with the Zhèndōng Gate (鎮東門) in the east wall, the Yíng’ēn Gate (迎恩門) in the west, the Wàngyáng Gate (望洋門) in the south and the Wēiyuǎn Gate (威遠門) in the north. Due to lack of repairs over the centuries, only the Zhèndōng Gate remains today. This was the most important gate due to its position, which faces outside the pass towards Beijing.

Best Time to Visit The Great Wall Shanhaiguan Pass

You can go for a visit all year round. The four seasons endow the site with different charms. The weather is very comfortable in spring and autumn (April, May, September and October). In summer (July and August), it is a perfect summer resort for you to admire the grand Great Wall and the vast sea. Once the snow comes, it is covered in a white mask, infusing a bit of solemnity to the old construction. To have a better tour experience, you should try to avoid the peak times like May Day holiday (May 1 to May 3) and National Day holiday (October 1 to October 7).

Main Attractions of The Great Wall Shanhaiguan Pass

  • First Pass under Heaven
    The eastern wall was the major defense line of the pass. The well-known ‘First Pass under Heaven’ (Zhendong Tower) is located at this side. The tower is 45 feet (13.7 meters) high with two floors. There is a big board hanging under the eaves with five huge Chinese characters ‘Tian Xia Di Yi Guan’ (the First Pass under Heaven) inscribed in the Ming Dynasty
  • An Old Cultural Town
    Getting down from the pass, the ancient town inside will immerse you in its historical atmosphere. With many well-preserved old buildings, it is a great place to enjoy the ancient architectural style. Old residences and traditional workshops are dotted along the quaint chessboard-like streets. Since the Ming and Qing dynasties, a number of temples were constructed inside the pass. Most of them can still be seen today.
  • Shanhaiguan Great Wall Museum
    The old-style construction is to the south of the Zhendong Tower. Exhibitions in the museum introduce the history, structure, and military function of the Great Wall with a large collection of its construction material, firearms, and other precious items.

How to Get to Shanhaiguan Pass

  • Taking 13 high-speed train (daily running between Beijing and Beijing South train stations and Shanhaiguan), 2 or 3 hours. The First Pass Under Heaven is about 10 minutes’ walk north of Shanhaiguan Train Station. 
  • Public buses to the First Pass Under Heaven (天下第一关 Tianxiadiyiguan): 13, 25, 33, 302

Nearby Attraction in Qinhuangdao

  • Old Dragon Head
  • Beidaihe Scenic Area
  • Emerald Isle
  • Gold Coast
  • Qinghuangdao Wildlife Park
  • Nandaihe Scenic Resort