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Home → China Travel Guide → Qinhuangdao Travel Guide - Qinhuangdao Major Attractions -

The First Pass Under Heaven, Qinhuangdao



Well-known as “the First Pass under Heaven”, Shanhaiguan Pass became a site of China First Class National Cultural Site in 1961. It is one of the major passes of the Great Wall of China. Shanhaiguan Pass is a popular tourist destination, featuring the eastern end of the Great Wall. Yanmenguan Pass got its name because it is situated between the Yanshan Mountains and the Bohai Sea. This pass has been a bone of contention for military strategists since the ancient times. It is also considered the No.1 pass of the Great Wall and the key to the defense of two ancient capitals - Beijing in the east and Chang'an (Xian) in the west.

Shanhaiguan was shaped like an irregular trapezoid with a gate on each side, namely Zhendong, Yingen, Wangyang and Weiyuan. The south and north wings are fortifications where soldiers were stationed. Outside the east and west gates are outer walls to strengthen the defence of the castle. Written on a board that hangs above the gate is an alternate name of Shanhai Pass, "First Pass Under the Heaven". This should not be confused with the "First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven", a different pass located at the west end of the Great Wall.

The starting point of the Great Wall dips into the sea like a dragon’s head, hence the name Old Dragon Head. It is a complex of a stone fortification ,theJinglu platform, the South sea pass, and the ChenghailouTower and the Ninghai Castle.

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