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)
