Qinhuangdao Private Day Trip: Shanhaiguan Pass, Old Dragon's Head and Great Wall

Located along the coastal border of present-day Hebei and Liaoning provinces, Shanhaiguan takes its name from its unique position where the mountains (shan) meet the sea (hai). The exact point where the Great Wall meets the Bohai Sea is famously known as “Old Dragon’s Head” (Laolongtou).

Throughout Chinese history, Shanhaiguan served as a critical frontline defense against northern ethnic groups from Manchuria, including the Khitan, Jurchen, and Manchus. In 1381, Ming general Xu Da led the construction of a new fortress here, known as the “First Pass Under Heaven”. Xu Da also oversaw the building of other key Great Wall sections such as Juyongguan and Mutianyu, helping shape much of what we recognize today as the Ming Great Wall. For nearly 300 years, Shanhaiguan played a vital role in protecting the Ming capital and safeguarding the empire’s eastern frontier.

Shanhai Pass is one of the most important strategic passes along the Great Wall of China. Located in the Shanhaiguan District of Qinhuangdao, Hebei Province, it marks the eastern end of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall where the wall meets the sea. Recognized as a National Cultural Heritage Site in 1961, Shanhai Pass is now a popular tourist destination known for its historical significance and well-preserved architecture.

The Great Wall of China winds its way across northern China, starting at Laolongtou (Old Dragon’s Head) on the Bohai Sea and stretching all the way to the deserts of the west. Jiaoshan is the first mountain the Wall ascends, earning it the title “First Mountain of the Great Wall.”

Built in the early Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), the Jiaoshan section of the Wall has stood for over 600 years. It is located approximately 3 kilometers (2 miles) north of Shanhaiguan Pass, and about 8 kilometers (5 miles) north of Laolongtou. Some parts of the wall here have been restored to accommodate visitors, while others remain untouched, preserving their original, rugged beauty.