The Great Wall of China spanned more than 5,000 miles consisting of spurs and other features including gates, fortresses, and one bridge (more about that in the next post). During the Ming dynasty, people entered China from the northeast through Shanhaiguan, mountain sea pass.
The First Gate Under Heaven
To enter the country, visitors passed through the First Gate Under Heaven into a walled village. Today, this gate and walled village have been restored. The village boasts a few historic homes and museums as well as the bell and drum tower. My first of two visits to Shanhaiguan this year included a walk around half of the city wall. This allowed for some great views of the village and pics on the wall without crowds because part of the wall is only accessible to those who buy a more comprehensive ticket.
The first time I visited Shanhaiguan was on a holiday weekend. The village teemed with life. The second time was not a holiday. The village felt like a ghost town. The museums and sights were open though.
Old Dragon’s Head
A few kilometers from the village, the wall extends into the Bohai Sea. This is Laolongtou or the old dragon’s head because the wall looks like the head of dragon getting a drink of water. At this section of wall, a garrison was stationed, so the historic site includes the barracks, commanders’ offices and quarters, and more.
Getting There
To get to Shanhaiguan from Beijing, take a high-speed train. The ride is only a couple of hours, and the station is walking distance to the walled village and First Gate Under Heaven. A short taxi drive can get you to Laolongtou and back to the station. All of this can be done in a day trip.
