Laolongtou Great Wall in Shanhaiguan District, Qinhuangdao

Laolongtou Great Wall in Shanhaiguan District, Qinhuangdao

Laolongtou ('Old Dragon's Head') is where the east end of the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty meets the Bo Sea. It's part of the Shanhai Pass Great Wall defense system covering mountains, sea, plain, and town.
English Name: Laolongtou Great Wall in Shanhaiguan District, Qinhuangdao
Chinese Name: 秦皇岛市山海关区老龙头长城
Other Name: The Old Dragon’s Head
Opening Hours: 7:00 am–6:00 pm
Recommended Visiting Hours: 1 or 2 hours
Ticket Price: 60 RMB
Location: Shanhaiguan District of Qinhuangdao, Hebei

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Laolongtou Great Wall

Laolongtou or “The Old Dragon’s Head” is part of the Shanhai Pass (also known as Shanhaiguan) of the Great Wall of China. It is where the Great Wall ends to the East and leads into the Bohai Sea. It is located in Shanhaiguan District of Qinhuangdao, Hebei and is nearly 300 kilometres (190 mi) east of Beijing.

Why is Laolongtou Great Wall So Special 

The original wall was built during the Ming Dynasty which flourished from 1368 to 1644. The wall extends about 20 meters (66 ft) into the sea, like a dragon drinking water. During an invasion in 1900 much of the original wall was destroyed and apparently in 1984, the people of Shanhaiguan worked to restore the wall. 

Introduction of Laolongtou Great Wall

Shanhai Pass is one of the major passes in the Great Wall of China. It is located in Shanhaiguan District, Qinhuangdao, Hebei province. In 1961, the pass was selected as a National Cultural Site of China. It is a popular tourist destination at the eastern terminal point of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. The location where the wall meets the Bohai Sea is nicknamed “Old Dragon’s Head” Laolongtou (simplified Chinese: 老龙头; traditional Chinese: 老龍頭; pinyin: Lǎolóngtóu). The pass lies nearly 300 kilometres (190 mi) east of Beijing and is linked via the Jingshen Expressway that runs northeastward to Shenyang.

Main Attractions of Laolongtou Great Wall

Laolongtou Great Wall consists of the “Entering Sea Stone Wall”, Sea God Temple, Jinglu Beacon Tower, Nanhaikouguan Tower, Chenghai Tower, and the large Ninghai Fortress area.

  • Entering Sea Stone Wall
    Entering Sea Stone Wall is actually about 10 meters (33′) in height and 22 meters (72′) long, but over half of its body lies below sea level at high tide. The original wall collapsed, but granite rocks of the original can still be seen at low tide.
  • Jinglu Beacon Tower
    Jinglu Beacon Tower is the first enemy warning post on the east of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall (not counting the loop round the Bo Sea to North Korea).
  • Nanhaikou Pass Tower
    Pass Tower (南海口关 Nánhǎikǒu Guān /nan-hi-koh gwan/ ‘South Estuary Pass’) was built by Sun Chengzong, a grand secretary and government commander-in-chief in charge of the Ji and Liao regions, in the second year of Tianqi (1621). Sun established Longwu Battalion there, where he trained naval forces.
  • Chenghai Tower
    Chenghai Tower is at the zenith of the Laolongtou seaside fortifications, and it is an optimal place to appreciate the sea view. Kangxi and Qianlong, emperors of the Qing Dynasty, ascended the tower many times when they went back to Mukden (Shenyang) to worship their ancestors. The magnificent views of the sea inspired them to write poems.
  • Ninghai Fortress
    Ninghai Fortress (宁海城) was built in the early Ming Dynasty, before the other Laolongtou fortifcations. The fort wall was about 900 meters in circumference, 5 meters high, and 4.5 meters thick. On the west and north gates, there were corniced watchtowers with five ridges.
  • Sea God Temple
    According to ancient records, Sea God Temple (海神庙 Hǎi Shén Miào /hi shnn myaoww/) was built in the early Ming Dynasty to pray for good sea faring.

Useful Travel Tips

  1. The Best Time to Visit. Being by the sea in North China, Laolongtou is not too hot in the summer, its most popular season, but winters are cold with snow possible.
  2. Walking Conditions. The Great Wall at Laolongtou is well-restored, and therefore walking conditions pose no risks.
  3. Choose comfortable footwear with good grip and support for the feet. Wear/bring sun protection in the summer and dress for sub-zero temperatures in the winter.
  4. Umbrellas may be used to keep off rain and sun. Bring a camera and money for souvenirs and refreshments. Snacks and refreshments are available in the tourist area around Laolongtou.

How to Get to Laolongtou

  • From Shanhaiguan Town:Take bus 25 from Shanhaiguan Railway Station (山海关火车站) to Laolongtou Intersection North (老龙头路口北). In 200m walk you’ll be in the tourist area, and continuing southeast another 600m you’ll be by the sea at Laolongtou. You could also take bus 13 from Tianxia Diyi Guan (天下第一关’the First Pass Under Heaven’) to Laolongtou.
  • From Qinhuangdao Shanhaiguan Airportto Laolongtou is about 10 kilometers (15 minutes and about 25 yuan by taxi).

Accommodation and Restaurants

Laolongtou is about 5 km south from Shanhaiguan Town. In the vicinity there are hotels with various star levels and restaurants of all kinds, which provide convenience for visitors to this popular seaside area.

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