Shanhaiguan Ancient City

Built in 1381 by Xu Da as the first pass of the Great Wall, the gate tower bears a huge plaque in Xiao Xian's calligraphy proclaiming the First Pass Under Heaven.

In the Ming and Qing this regional office of the Ministry of War oversaw Jizhou-Liaodong defences and troop movements through the pass as its top military command.

Wang Sanjiang, the wealthiest man in Qing-era Shanhaiguan, built this home of four courtyards and fifty-seven rooms, a classic North China merchant-official residence.

Rising at the centre of the old town, the Ming bell and drum tower has a double-eaved cross-gabled roof, with shops lining the four main streets around it.

The Ming established Shanhaiwei in 1381 under Xu Da's northern defense command; the walled pass was built and named Shanhaiguan the following year.

In 1987, the Shanhaiguan section was inscribed as an eastern component of the Great Wall World Heritage property.