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.
The Great Wall at Laolongtou is like a huge dragon lying with its head on the beach and mouth in the sea. The square watchtower on the beach looks uncannily like a raised reptilian skull when viewed at a distance, along with the seaward wall extension, resembling a mouth, and the narrower landward wall resembling a neck.
Quick Facts
- Chinese Name: 老龙头 Lǎolóngtóu /laoww-long-toh/ 'Old Dragon Head'
- Location: 5 km (3 mi) southeast of Shanhaiguan Town, 19 km (12 mi) east of Qinhuangdao City
- Address: Laolongtou, Haikou Road, Shanhaiguan District, Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province
- History: over 400 years.
- Ticket price: 60 RMB
- Activities: enjoying seaside views, learning of China's history, photography
- Open: 7:00am–6:00 pm
- Features: the Ninghai Fortress area, a well-restored 800-meter section of wall, the Laolongtou Tower, historically-popular Chenghai Tower, and Sea God Temple.
The History of Laolongtou's Great Wall Section
The Entering Sea Stone WallDuring the reign of Emperor Hongwu (1368–1398), in order to defend against the looting and harassment of China's Manchurian neighbors at the border, General Xu Da acted under orders to construct the Great Wall around Shanhai Pass, including Ninghai Fortress at Laolongtou.
In 1565, Chief Executor Sun Yingyuan was in charge of constructing Jinglu Beacon Tower (靖虏一号敌台 Jìnglǔ Yīhào Dítái /jing-loo ee-how dee-tigh/ 'Quiet Capture No. 1 Enemy Platform'), the tower that forms 'Old Dragon's Head'.
In 1579, national hero General Qi Jiguang built Entering Sea Stone Wall' (Rùhǎi Shíchéng /roo-hi shrr-chnng/), the rest of the Old Dragon's Head wall including the part that extends 22 meters into the sea.
In 1670, the 9th year of the reign of Kangxi, Chenghai Tower was rebuilt, and later visited by Qing emperors on pilgrimage to Mukden (Shenyang).
In 1900, when the Eight-Nation Alliance invaded China to defeat the Boxer Rebellion, the Laolongtou Great Wall fortifications were destroyed.
In 1985 the restoration of Laolongtou's Great Wall section began. After 8 years the past grandeur of Laolongtou was restored.
- 2-Day Great Wall Mutianyu-Simatai Day-Night Tour
- 1-Day Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking Tour
- 2-Day Jiankou Wild Great Wall Camping Tour
Features
Laolongtou, along with the Jiaoshan mountain-top fort and the town fort (known as "First Pass Under Heaven"), defended Shanhai Pass Town.
When the Qing Dynasty Manchurians united the regions north and south of Shanhaiguan, the Great Wall at Laolongtou lost its function of military defense, and became a beautiful scenic spot for emperors, ministers, and men of letters to visit.
'Laolongtou Great Wall' is one of the "top 40 tourist areas in China" and listed as a National 5A Tourist Attraction. At Laolongtou, visitors may be faced with roaring waves or foggy sea sights.
After ascending Chenghai Tower, visitors can have a panoramic view of the Laolongtou fortifications.
Major Sights
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.
'Entering Sea Stone Wall' was built using giant strip-shaped granite blocks averaging 2 to 3 tonnes. The foundation of stone city in the sea was made using many iron piles and then filled with rocks. Later, Nanhaikou Tower and Chenghai Tower were added to Ninghai Fortress, making Laolongtou a strong fortress capping off the Shanhai Pass defences.
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).
Jinglu Beacon Tower was made of stone blocks, 15 meters (50') high and 10 meters (33') square, with two doors, one north (landwards) and one south (seawards). The battlements on all sides are 1.72 meters in height.
Nanhaikou Pass Tower
Nanhaikou 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.
In the 22nd year of the reign of Daoguang (1840), in the Qing Dynasty, a canon mounting was built on top.
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.
The plaque "Chenghai Tower" hanging on the front of Chenghai Tower was a work of Emperor Qianlong. The whole tower is made of wood. The tower's east and west walls are inset with stone tablets of poems written by emperors and literati in the Qing Dynasty.
The tower also exhibits cultural relics excavated around Laolongtou and inscriptions written by Communist Party and state leaders.
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.
In the 12th year of the reign of Wanli (1584), Chief Executor Wang Bangjun restored the temple. The temple was destroyed during the invasion of the Eight-Nation Alliance in 1900.
In 1988 the restoration of the temple began, echoing Laolongtou around 350 meters (400 yards) northeast, it also stretches across the beach and into the sea.
Sea God Temple is made up a memorial archway, a three-hole stone bridge, a drum tower and bell tower, the Sea God Palace, the Queen of Heaven (Tianhou) Palace, and Sea-Viewing Pavilion at its seaward end.
- 1-Day Beijing Layover Tour
- 1-Day Jiankou to Mutianyu Great Wall Hiking Tour
- 2-Day Huanghuacheng Lakeside Great Wall Hiking and Camping Tour
Travel Essentials
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.
Walking Conditions
The Great Wall at Laolongtou is well-restored, and therefore walking conditions pose no risks.
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 Airport to Laolongtou is about 10 kilometers (15 minutes and about 25 yuan by taxi).
China Highlights' private transfer service is the most convenient way for you to get to Laolongtou. We use high-quality air-conditioned private transport with an experienced driver and an English-speaking tour guide to take the hassle out of getting to the wall. See the tour options below.
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.
Packing tips
Dress for walking and dress for the weather. 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.
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.
- 1-Day Beijing Highlights Private Tour
- 3-Day Jiankou to Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking Discovery Tour
- 5-Day Huangyaguan to Huanghuacheng Great Wall Hiking Tour
Visit Laolongtou's Great Wall Fort with China Highlights
If you want to visit Laolongtou to see the majestic appearance of its Great Wall fortress, China Highlights can help you. Contact us with your interests and requirements, including anywhere else you'd like to visit, and we will tailor-make your China tour.
Nearby Attractions
Shanhai PassShanhaiguan is the "First Pass Under Heaven." In this world famous Great Wall town, about 5 km (3 mi) north of Laolongtou, its Great Wall fortress architecture has magnificent beauty and grand stateliness.
The Jiaoshan Great Wall Section is about 5 km north of Shanhai Pass. 500 meters up, it finishes off and overlooks the Great Wall defences at Shanhai Pass.
Jiumenkou was probably the second most vulnerable pass, just 10 km north of Shanhai Pass. There you can see a restored Great Wall section than crosses a river. There is original Great Wall on one side of the river.
Beidaihe is North China's favorite seaside resort (one China's 44 key tourist areas). It is about 35 km (22 mi) west of Laolongtou.
Meng Jiangnv Temple: Meng Jiangnv Temple commemorates the famous Great Wall legend of Meng Jiangnv, and is 7 km (4 mi) northeast of Shanhai Pass. It was built before the Song Dynasty and is about 12 kilometers away from Laolongtou Grea Wall.
Yansai Lake: Yansai Lake is a scenic reservoir area in the gorge below Jiaoshan ('Horn Mountain'), north of Shanhaiguan.