Shanhaiguan Gate Tower & Laolongtou
Where the Ming Great Wall plunges into the sea, Shanhaiguan sits between mountains and coast, guarding the Liaoxi Corridor as the First Pass Under Heaven.
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Spatial Framework & Civilizational Geography · County-level
Shan Hai Guan District
The stone battlements of the First Pass Under Heaven 5A and Laolongtou where the Great Wall meets the sea anchor Shanhaiguan.
Regional story
A place shaped through time
The stone battlements of the First Pass Under Heaven 5A and Laolongtou where the Great Wall meets the sea anchor Shanhaiguan.
Shan Hai Guan District
5 entries
Atlas Attractions
First Pass Under Heaven (Zhendong Gate Tower) in Shanhaiguan
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.
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Ministry of War Regional Yamen in Shanhaiguan
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.
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Wang Family Grand Courtyard in Shanhaiguan
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.
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Bell & Drum Tower & Historic Streets in Shanhaiguan
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.
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Related Literature
2Set here2
- Biography of YuanyuanClassical FictionLu Ciyun
His hair rose against his cap in rage, all for a beauty.
- Draft History of Qing: Biographies of Wu Sangui, Geng Jingzhong, Shang Zhixin and Sun YanlingClassical ProseZhao Erxun (comp.)
Hearing that his concubine Chen had been carried off by Zicheng's general Liu Zongmin, he turned back in fury and routed the officers Zicheng had sent to hold the pass.