The Shanhaiguan Great Wall, also referred to as Shanhaiguan Pass, is situated in Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province. As the easternmost pass of the Great Wall of China and the starting point of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall in the east, it is renowned as “The First Pass Under Heaven” thanks to its strategic location, formidable defensive features, and grand architectural scale.
 

1. First constructed during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), the name “Shanhaiguan” translates to “Mountain-Sea Pass.” Nestled between the Yanshan Mountains to the north and the Bohai Sea to the south, it derives its name from this unique geographical setting.
 

2. The Shanhaiguan Great Wall stands about 14 meters (46 feet) high, roughly the height of a four to five-story building, and measures 7 meters (23 feet) in thickness. In the age of cold weapons, such a structure was truly impenetrable, making Shanhaiguan an extremely difficult stronghold to breach.
 

3. Shanhaiguan fortress is laid out in a square shape, with a perimeter of about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles). It has four main gates corresponding to the four cardinal directions, with the Zhendong Gate on the east side being the most famous.
 

Known alternatively as Zhendong Tower, this structure serves as the eastern gate of the Shanhaiguan fortress. Covering a floor area of 198 square meters (2,130 square feet), its eaves are adorned with intricately carved ridge beasts at each of the four corners. The tower features 68 arrow slits on its northern, eastern, and southern sides, while its most striking element is the massive plaque inscribed with the characters “The First Pass Under Heaven.” From the top of the tower, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire ancient fortress and the distant Bohai Sea.
 

Spanning a total area of 1.5 million square meters (370 acres), the Shanhaiguan Fortress boasts ancient buildings showcasing architectural styles of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368 - 1912). Laid out in a square, the fortress centers on the Bell and Drum Tower, from which four main streets extend toward the east, south, west, and north. Inside the fortress, centuries-old residences, specialty souvenir shops, and local restaurants create a perfect setting for a leisurely stroll. After dark, the fortress is illuminated by lights, complemented by light shows and traditional cultural performances.
 

The Bustling Shanhaiguan Fortress

The iron flower performance at Shanhaiguan

Located at the intersection of the fortress’s four main streets, the Bell and Drum Tower stands at the heart of the old fortress. Historically, it served as a crucial facility for timekeeping and military command. Climbing the tower offers a sweeping view of the entire fortress. Comprising the Bell Tower, the Drum Tower, and the Wenchang Hall, its integrated structure is a rare architectural gem in China.
 

The Wang Family Courtyard is a historic residence within the Shanhaiguan Fortress, a typical mansion of a wealthy merchant from the Ming Dynasty. Today, it houses the Shanhaiguan Folk Museum, displaying a rich collection of folk cultural relics, including a 400-year-old carved wooden bed. Visitors can also try on traditional costumes here to immerse themselves further in the historical atmosphere.
 

Map of Shanhaiguan Great Wall

A typical tour of the Shanhaiguan Great Wall includes walking along the wall and exploring the ancient fortress, with a total duration of approximately 4 hours.
 

Upon arrival, start by ascending the First Pass Under Heaven Tower to take in the view of the entire fortress and the distant Bohai Sea. Next, follow a circular route along the Great Wall, passing seven watchtowers in sequence before returning to the Zhendong Tower. This 4.1-kilometer (2.5-mile) route takes roughly 2 hours to complete; alternatively, you may walk a section of the wall and descend to the fortress via one of the watchtowers. Note that ascending or descending the Great Wall is prohibited at Lingge Tower and Muying Tower.

After descending from the Zhendong Tower, head along East Street - lined primarily with souvenir shops - until you reach the Bell and Drum Tower, then turn south to explore the Wang Family Courtyard. Once you’ve experienced the traditional costume trial and finished touring the courtyard, walk north back to the Bell and Drum Tower, then proceed to visit West Street and North Street. West Street features souvenir shops and ancient architectural ruins, while North Street is lined with well-preserved traditional residences. The entire tour of the ancient town area takes about 2 hours. Sightseeing buses are available within the town to replace part of the walking.

The Bell and Drum Tower

Souvenir Shop at Shanhaiguan Fortress

The best time to visit Shanhaiguan is from May to October, when the pleasant summer temperatures make it a popular tourist destination and summer resort.
 

- The First Pass Under Heaven: Daytime: 7:00 - 17:00; Nighttime: 17:00 - 21:30 

- Wang Family Courtyard: 7:00 - 17:30
 

- The First Pass Under Heaven: Daytime: CNY 50; Nighttime: CNY 70

- Shanhaiguan Fortress: Free of charge

- Wang Family Courtyard: CNY 30

- Sightseeing Bus: CNY 10

Note: Children and elderly visitors are eligible for half-price or free admission.
 

The fastest and most convenient option is to take a taxi from downtown Qinhuangdao to Shanhaiguan, eliminating the need to travel to the railway station or locate bus stops. The journey takes 30 - 40 minutes and costs approximately CNY 80 - 100.
 

Take a train from Qinhuangdao Railway Station to Shanhaiguan Railway Station. The journey takes 15 to 25 minutes, and the fare for a second-class seat is CNY 8 to 15. After exiting the station, take a 5-minute taxi ride to Shanhaiguan, costing around CNY 10.
 

Shanhaiguan Railway Station

Train to Shanhaiguan

Board Bus No. 25 or No. 33 and alight at the First Pass Under Heaven Station. The journey takes about 1.5 hours and costs CNY 2.
 

1. Visitors to Shanhaiguan often combine their trip with visits to the Jiaoshan Great Wall, Laolongtou Great Wall, Shanhaiguan Museum of the Great Wall of China, and Meng Jiangnu Temple. All these attractions are within a short distance of the Shanhaiguan Pass; it only takes 10 to 15 minutes by car to travel between them.
 

2. The tour involves a significant amount of walking, so it is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes.
 

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