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Visit Shanhaiguan (The First Pass Under Heaven), a 5A Ming Great Wall pass in Qinhuangdao, Hebei. Explore the historic fortress, towers, and plains Great Wall with advisor-confirmed entry.
Shanhaiguan (The First Pass Under Heaven) is located 15 kilometers northeast of Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province. It is one of the northeastern passes of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall and was considered the eastern terminus of the Ming Great Wall until 1990. Established in 1381 during the Hongwu reign, the fortress was named for its position against the mountains and beside the sea. Its walls stand 14 meters high and 7 meters thick, with a perimeter of about 4 kilometers, four main gates, defensive structures, and a 1,350-meter stretch of Ming-era Great Wall built across the plains. Shanhaiguan is celebrated as one of the Great Wall's "Three Great Wonders" along with Zhenbeitai and Jiayuguan. It is a 5A-rated site, was designated a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level in 1961, and the Great Wall was inscribed as a World Cultural Heritage site in 1987.
15 kilometers northeast of Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province
Shanhaiguan, located 15 kilometers northeast of Qinhuangdao City in Hebei Province, is one of the northeastern passes of the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty. Until 1990, it was considered the eastern terminus of the Ming Great Wall. It is renowned as one of the "Three Great Wonders" of the Great Wall—along with Zhenbeitai in the central section and Jiayuguan in the west—and is famously hailed as the "First Pass Under Heaven" and the "Throat of the Frontier, Guardian of the Capital." Situated thousands of miles away from Jiayuguan, it stands as a celebrated landmark. The fortress and pass were established in 1381 (the 14th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty). It was named "Shanhaiguan" (literally "Mountain-Sea Pass") because of its location—nestled against the mountains and bordering the sea. The fortress, which connects to the Great Wall, has a perimeter of approximately 4 kilometers. Its walls stand 14 meters high and 7 meters thick, featuring four main gates and an array of defensive structures. Notable features include the "First Pass Under Heaven" arrow tower, the Jingbian, Muying, and Linlü towers, a *wengcheng* (barbican/enclosed courtyard), and a 1,350-meter-long stretch of the Ming-era Great Wall built across the plains. On March 4, 1961, the Great Wall at Shanhaiguan was designated by the State Council as one of the first batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level. In December 1987, the Great Wall was inscribed as a World Cultural Heritage site.
See the famous "First Pass Under Heaven" arrow tower at Shanhaiguan, a landmark of the Ming Great Wall.
The fortress and pass were established in 1381, the 14th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty.
The fortress has walls about 14 meters high and 7 meters thick, with four main gates, the Jingbian, Muying, and Linlü towers, a wengcheng, and defensive structures.
A 1,350-meter-long stretch of Ming-era Great Wall built across the plains is a notable feature of the site.
Shanhaiguan is known as one of the Great Wall's "Three Great Wonders," together with Zhenbeitai and Jiayuguan.
The Great Wall at Shanhaiguan was nationally protected in 1961, and the Great Wall was inscribed as a World Cultural Heritage site in December 1987.
Opening hours are subject to official notices.
Full refund before the advisor starts procurement. Once procurement has started or tickets have been issued, customer-initiated cancellations are non-refundable. If the supplier cannot fulfill the booking, the ticket amount and service fee are refunded in full; third-party payment processing fees are not refundable.
Shanhaiguan is located 15 kilometers northeast of Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province.
It is known as the "First Pass Under Heaven" and the "Throat of the Frontier, Guardian of the Capital." It is one of the northeastern passes of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall and one of the Great Wall's "Three Great Wonders" along with Zhenbeitai and Jiayuguan.
The fortress and pass were established in 1381, the 14th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty.
The suggested visiting time is about 4 hours.
The Great Wall at Shanhaiguan was designated by the State Council as one of the first batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level on March 4, 1961. In December 1987, the Great Wall was inscribed as a World Cultural Heritage site.
Passport entry is required. After manual advisor confirmation, present your passport and confirmation details at the entrance.
You may cancel for a full refund before procurement starts. Once procurement has started or the ticket has been issued, the order is non-refundable unless HelloChinaTrip cannot fulfill it. Third-party payment processing fees are not refundable.
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