Shanhai Pass 山海關(guān)

Located 15 kilometers from Qinhuangdao City, Shanhai Pass is a sleepy port town on the northern coast of the Bohai Gulf. Built in 583, Shanhai Pass was renovated repeatedly during various dynasties until Ming Dynasty rulers transformed it into a formidable military stronghold.

Shanhai also considered the Great Wall's "number one" pass and key to the defense of two ancient capitals, Beijing in the east and Chang'an, now Xi'an, in the west.