Qinhuangdao is situated near a section of the Beijing-Shenyang Railway Line in the northeastern part of Hebei Province. It borders the Yanshan Mountains in the north and Bohai Bay in the south. One of north China's ice-free natural harbors, it abounds in fish, prawns, and other aquatic products. The famous health resort, Beidaihe Beach, lies southwest of the city.

 

"The First Pass Under Heaven"

 

This pass, also called Shanhai pass, is located fifteen kilometers northeast of Qinhuangdao at the eastern terminus of the Great Wall. The "pass city" was built during the Ming Dynasty in the fourteenth year of Emperor Hong Wu's rule (A.D. 1381). It controlled communications between north and northeast China, a strategic location for which wars were often fought.

 

At the entrance to the pass is a twelve-meter-high rectangular city gate, which connects the Great Wall to the south and north. On top of the gate is a two-storied tower, which is 13 meters high, 20 meters wide, and 11 meters tick and decorated with painted eaves. The tower commands a spectacular view of distant Bohai Bay to the south and the tortuous path of the Great Wall to the north.

 

Admission fee: 40 yuan
Opening hours: 08:10 to 16:00

 

Laolongtou Great Wall

 

Four kilometers south of Shanhaiguan, Laolongtou (Old Dragon's Head) is the easternmost end of the Great Wall, which stretches 23 meters into the sea like a dragon drinking water, hence its name. This part of the Great Wall was built in the 7 th year of Wanli reign in the Ming dynasty (1579) and was mended in the 7 th year of Kangxi reign in the Qing dynasty (1668). Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty would stop here for a visit on their way to Fengtian (Present - day Shenyang) to worship their ancestors, which makes the city even more worthy of its name.

It consists of the Estuary Stone City, Jinglu Watchtower, Wangshou Watchtower, Nanhaikou Pass, Chenghai Tower, Ninghai City and Binhai City.

 

Admission Fee: 50 yuan
Bus route: 25, 34

 

Meng Jiangnu Temple

 

This temple is located in the Shanhai Pass District of Qinhuangdao. Legend says that in the time of Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty, Meng Jaingn|'s husband was conscripted to help build the Great Wall. Missing her husband very much, Meng jiangnu set out on the long journey to see him. When she arrived at eh foot of the wall, she learned that her husband had been worked to death and buried beneath it, and she wept so many tears that a huge section of the Great Wall crumbled away. The sorrowful woman then drowned herself in the sea, and a temple was erected to commemorate her. A clay sculpture of Meng Jaingnnu stands in front of the temple hall. Dressed in a black gown, she gazes out at the sea, her expression revealing her grief and indignation.

 

Admission Fee: 30 yuan

Opening hours: 08:10 to 16:00

 

Beidaihe Beach

 

This resort is located fifteen kilometers southwest of Qinhuangdao. It faces Bohai to the south and has the Lianfeng Hills, with their forests of pine and cypress, as a back drop. The beach is two kilometers wide and extends for ten kilometers from Daihekou in the west to Eagle Rock in the east. With its beautiful winding coastline and its pleasant, moderate climate, Beidaihe Beach is a popular spot for summer vacations.

 

The area is dotted with buildings and villas, some along the beach and others hidden in groves. The main attractions are South Heavenly Gate (Nantianmen), Cave Leading to the Sky (Tongtiandong), Camel Rock (Luotuosi), Tiger Rock (Laohusi), Guanyin Monastery, and Lotus Park.

 

Since national liberation of 1949, roads in downtown districts and a beachside highway have been built or repaired. Sanatoriums embracing an area of 3,160,000 square meters have been built and five beachside parks restored.

 

(china.org.cn May 29, 2007)