First Pass Under Heaven (Shanhaiguan Ancient City)
Core of the national 5A-rated Shanhaiguan scenic area; the pass was built in the 14th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming dynasty (1381) on the orders of Xu Da, Prince of Zhongshan, named for backing onto mountains and adjoining the sea, and is the first pass at the eastern starting point of the Ming Great Wall
Visitor info
- Opening hours
- 07:00-18:00
- Ticket
- CNY 50 in peak season
Price is indicative — final quote on inquiry.
Core of the national 5A-rated Shanhaiguan scenic area. The pass was built in the 14th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming dynasty (1381) on the orders of Xu Da, Prince of Zhongshan, named for backing onto mountains and adjoining the sea, and is the first pass at the eastern starting point of the Ming Great Wall. The Zhendong Tower platform rises more than twelve meters; the giant 'First Pass Under Heaven' plaque is said to be the work of Ming jinshi scholar Xiao Xian, its vigorous brushwork making it a famous plaque through the ages. The military defense system formed by the pass city, barbican, Jingbian Tower and Muying Tower survives intact; in the 1644 Battle of Shanhai Pass, Li Zicheng faced off here against Wu Sangui and Dorgon, rewriting the course of the dynasty.
Getting there: Bus or taxi from Shanhaiguan Railway Station
Photos
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