Travel Guide and Food Guide of Shanhaiguan
Travel Guide
- Major Attractions
- The First Pass Under Heaven Scenic Area
- Introduction: It is the landmark attraction of Shanhaiguan. There is the “First Pass Under Heaven” watchtower and other buildings, which are magnificent and show the charm of ancient military defense architecture. Standing on the watchtower, you can overlook the city of Shanhaiguan and the surrounding scenery and feel the vicissitudes of history.
- Tourist Advice: It is recommended to spend 2 3 hours for the tour. You can carefully appreciate the architectural details of the watchtower and also visit the Great Wall Museum in the scenic area to learn about the historical and cultural knowledge related to the Great Wall.
- Laolongtou (Old Dragon’s Head) Scenic Area
- Introduction: It is the easternmost end of the Ming Great Wall where it meets the sea. The stone city extending into the sea is like a dragon’s head probing into the sea, playing with the waves, which is very spectacular. Here, there is both the grandeur of the Great Wall and the magnificent scenery of the sea.
- Tourist Advice: Allocate 3 4 hours for the visit. Besides enjoying the natural and cultural landscapes, you can also take a walk and play by the seaside to experience the unique coastal Great Wall scenery.
- Meng Jiangnu Temple
- Introduction: It was built in memory of Meng Jiangnu. The two halls in the temple, front and back, are solemn and respectful. The statue of Meng Jiangnu in the front hall is lifelike, and there are also many inscriptions on steles and other cultural relics in the temple, carrying the profound heritage of the folk legend.
- Tourist Advice: The tour lasts 1 2 hours. During the tour, you can carefully read those inscriptions and poems about the story of Meng Jiangnu to deeply understand its cultural connotations.
- The First Pass Under Heaven Scenic Area
- Tour Route Planning
- One-day Tour Route
- Morning: The First Pass Under Heaven Scenic Area Bell and Drum Tower (located in the center of the ancient city of Shanhaiguan, which can be visited by the way to feel the rhythm of the ancient city)
- Noon: Taste local cuisine in the ancient city of Shanhaiguan and take a short rest
- Afternoon: Laolongtou Scenic Area
- Two-day Tour Route
- First Day
- Second Day
- One-day Tour Route
Food Guide
- Specialty Foods
- Sitiao Baozi (Four-Strip Baozi)
- Features: The baozi has a good appearance with even pleats, is fat but not greasy, and has a unique taste. Fresh pork and seasonal vegetables are used as fillings, and the outer skin is soft and glutinous but with a chewy texture.
- Recommended Shop: Sitiao Baozi Old Shop, located at No. 98, South Street, the ancient city of Shanhaiguan.
- Changcheng Boluo Bing (Great Wall Boluo Cake)
- Features: It is wrapped with boluo leaves (a kind of tree leaves) produced along the Great Wall line, and filled with fillings made of leeks, pork, etc. The cake skin is crispy and the filling is fresh and fragrant, with strong local characteristics.
- Recommended Shop: You can taste it in some traditional snack shops in Shanhaiguan, such as Guan Yuanchang Pastry Shop.
- Huiji Pastry
- Features: Its mung bean cake is the most famous. It is made with traditional craftsmanship, melts in the mouth, has a fine texture, moderate sweetness, and a strong mung bean fragrance, without adding any pigments and preservatives.
- Recommended Shop: Huiji Pastry (No. 22, Tianxin Hutong).
- Seafood
- Features: Since Shanhaiguan is near the sea, there are various kinds of fresh seafood. For example, steamed crabs have tender crab meat and full crab roe; boiled shrimps have firm and elastic shrimp meat, retaining the original flavor of the seafood.
- Recommended Shop: You can go to Bohai Yufu Seafood Buffet (Shanhaiguan Store) and other seafood buffet restaurants, or big seafood restaurants like Hai Tian Yi Se (Sea and Sky in One Color).
- Sitiao Baozi (Four-Strip Baozi)
- Recommended Food Streets/Shops
- Inside the ancient city of Shanhaiguan
- There are many restaurants and snack stalls here. Besides the above-mentioned specialty shops like Sitiao Baozi and Huiji Pastry, you can also find various local specialty foods on the street, such as poluo leaf cakes and fen gezi, etc. The prices are relatively affordable, and you can taste the delicious food while strolling around the ancient city.
- Near Laodao Ocean Kingdom
- If you visit Laodao Ocean Kingdom, there are also some good restaurants around, mainly serving seafood, where you can replenish your energy and taste a delicious seafood meal after playing.
- Inside the ancient city of Shanhaiguan
