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Shanhai Pass---The First Pass Under Heaven

Shanhai Pass---The First Pass Under Heaven

2016-10-14

Shanhai Pass, known as Shanhaiguan in Chinese, is one of the major passes of the Great Wall of China. The words "First Pass Under Heaven" (traditional Chinese: 天下第一關) are engraved above one of the gates, and so the site is also known by that name. It is located in Shanhaiguan District, Qinhuangdao, Hebei province.

In 1961, the pass became a National Cultural Site of China. It is a popular tourist destination given its situation at the eastern end of the main line of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. The location where the wall meets Bohai Sea is nicknamed "Old Dragon's Head" (老龙头). The pass lies nearly 300 km (190 mi) east of Beijing and is linked via Jingshen Expressway that runs northeastward to Shenyang.

Located south of Yan Mountain and north of Bohai Sea, the pass has guarded the narrow passage between Northeast and Central East China for hundreds of years. Both the Northern Qi Dynasty and the Tang Dynasty constructed passes here. In 1381, Ming general Xu Da constructed the present pass, which was named Shanhaiguan (literally "mountain-sea-pass") because of its position between the mountains and the sea. In the late 16th century, Ming general Qi Jiguang began fortification and construction of a military city around the pass, building cities and forts to the east, south and north, making it one of the most heavily fortified passes in China. Today it is one of the best preserved passes of the Great Wall.

北京旅游网


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