Shanhai Pass, also called Yuguan or Linlvguan, is located at No 1 East Street, Shanhaiguan district, Qinhuangdao city of Hebei province. It is one of the northeastern passes of the Great Wall from the Ming Dynasty. Until 1990, Shanhai Pass was regarded as the eastern starting point of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. Together with Zhenbei Tai and Jiayu Pass, Shanhai Pass is known as one of the three grand views of the Great Wall in China. It is also known as “the first pass under Heaven” and “the safeguard of the capital”.
In 1381, Zhu Yuanzhan, the founder of the Ming Dynasty, ordered the construction of Shanhai Pass, making it a strategically important military town to safeguard Northeast and North China. The name Shanhai Pass is derived from its location, with mountains to its back and the sea in front. It boasts the title “The First Pass under Heaven”, with a plaque inscribed by the famous Ming calligrapher Xiao Xian. Shanhai Pass connects to the Great Wall, with the pass itself standing 14 meters high and 7 meters thick. It has four main gates and various defense structures, including the Arrow Tower, Jingbian Tower and Muying Tower.
