Shanhaiguan Pass: The First Pass Under Heaven

Shanhaiguan Pass, also known as the First Pass Under Heaven, is located in the northeastern part of Qinhuangdao City, within […]

Shanhaiguan Pass, also known as the First Pass Under Heaven, is located in the northeastern part of Qinhuangdao City, within the Shanhaiguan District. The pass was originally constructed during the Ming Dynasty, with the Yan Mountains to its north and the Bohai Sea to its east, forming a complete defensive system and an important ancient military stronghold. The terms ‘inside the pass’ and ‘outside the pass’ commonly used in ancient times were demarcated by the Shanhaiguan Pass itself. It is one of the significant eastern passes of the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty, corresponding with the Jiayuguan Pass in the west, and together they are acclaimed as the ‘First Pass Under Heaven’.

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The perimeter of the Shanhaiguan Pass is approximately 4 kilometers, connected to the Great Wall. The city walls from the Ming Dynasty are well-preserved within the ancient city, and the main streets and alleys largely retain their original layout, adding to the city’s elegant and simple charm. The most striking feature of the ancient city is the Zhenyuan Tower at the eastern gate of the pass, also known as the ‘First Pass Under Heaven Tower’. The tower stands atop the Great Wall, commanding a view of the surrounding areas. Climbing the tower allows one to overlook the entirety of Shanhaiguan City and the scenery beyond the pass.

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Surrounding the Zhenyuan Tower, there are structures such as the Jingbian Tower, Linlu Tower, Muying Tower, Weiyuan Hall, Wengcheng, Dongluo City, and the Great Wall Museum. However, except for the Great Wall Museum, most of these structures are in ruins. Nevertheless, one can still get a general understanding of the architectural style of ancient Chinese city defenses from the layout of the ruins. Afterward, visitors can stroll into the ancient city to taste local specialties and experience the local customs and culture of Shanhaiguan.

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The Shanhaiguan scenic area is not only a military stronghold with a long history but also a scenic and pleasant tourist and summer resort with a favorable climate. There are more than 90 developed historical sites and landscapes within the scenic area, with the Great Wall as the main line, including several scenic spots such as ‘Lao Long Tou’, ‘Meng Jiangnu Temple’, ‘Jiaoshan’, ‘Changshou Mountain’, ‘Yan Sai Lake’, and ‘Wangjia Courtyard’. The distances between these scenic spots are short, and transportation is convenient, allowing for easy travel between them.

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Opening Hours: The entire area is open all year round, 24 hours a day.

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Preferential Policies: Children: Free admission for those under 6 years old (inclusive) or under 1.2 meters in height (inclusive); discounted tickets for minors aged 6 to 18 years old (inclusive) with a student ID or ID card. Students: Discounted tickets for full-time undergraduate and below students aged 19 to 22 years old (inclusive) with a student ID. School groups visiting the educational base enjoy free admission.

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Elderly: Discounted tickets for those aged 60 to 69 years old (inclusive) with an ID card; free admission for those aged 70 years old and above with valid documents; those aged 60 and above can enjoy half-price for cable cars and electric carts with an ID card. Military Personnel: ① Active-duty military personnel and disabled veterans with relevant military service certificates; ② Active, retired, and disabled firefighters and fire rescue academy students with relevant certificates; ③ Veterans with national veteran preference certificates; ④ Hebei Province’s martyrs’ family members with Hebei Province’s martyrs’ family members’ preference certificates; ⑤ Hebei Province’s military personnel who died in the line of duty with Hebei Province’s military personnel who died in the line of duty preference certificates; ⑥ Hebei Province’s military personnel who died of illness with Hebei Province’s military personnel who died of illness preference certificates.

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Free admission for disabled people: With the ‘People’s Republic of China Disability Certificate’ (severely disabled people with grade one and two severe physical disabilities, blind people, people with intellectual disabilities, and people with mental disabilities are allowed to have one accompanying person enter for free), admission is free. With a disability certificate, purchasing transportation such as cable cars and battery-operated vehicles for mobility enjoys a 50% discount.

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Half-price transportation. Targets of ‘three exemptions’ for unpaid blood donation: With the ‘Hebei Province Honor Card for Unpaid Blood Donation’ and valid identity documents, admission is free. High-level talents: High-level talents holding the ‘Yanzhao Talents Card A’ and ‘Port City Talents Card B’ enjoy free admission. Supplementary note: Inbound tourists from Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and other places who meet the above conditions can enjoy the same treatment with valid documents such as the ‘Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau Residents’, ‘Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents’ or student ID cards.

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