Qinhuangdao - China's Popular Summer Resort

Qinhuangdao, lying at the northeastern tip of Hebei province on the Bohai Sea, Qinhuangdao is one of China's busiest harbors. Beidaihe is a seaside resort nearby, favored by foreign diplomats since late 19th Century. 50 km north of Beidaihe, is Shanghaiguan, also known as the First Pass Under Heaven, where the Great Wall tumbles into the sea.

Qinhuangdao City Ratings

** The following ratings are based on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the best.

History(6)	Art(3)	Local Culture/Unique Tour(6)
Nature/Scenic(8)	Food/Shopping(4)	Night Life(3)
Religion(2)	Adventure/Sports(8)	Reasonable Cost(6)

Recommended Days of Stay: 2

Quick Facts

Population - 6 million

Getting In and Out

By Air - Shanhaiguan airport, 15 km from Qinhuangdao, has flights from a dozen of Chinese cities;
By Train - Qinhuangdao is 2.5 hours by express train from Beijing.

Qin Shihuang's Palace * * *

The Qinshihuang's Palace is built in memory of China's first emperor, Qinshihuang, who united the country in 221 BC. The site, never a real palace, has good demonstration of Emperor Qinshihuang's life and history.

Xiaobaohezhai Village * * * *

Xiaobaohezhai Village is one of the first in China to offer pensions for its senior citizens. It is also one of the first to implement birth-control programs. Fall is the best season to visit the village, with its harvest of fruits and vegetables.

Pigeon Nest Park * * * * *

Pigeon Nest Park is one of China's famous places to watch the sun rise.

Lianfengshan Park * * *

Lianfengshan Park is a good place for a relaxing stroll.

Old Dragon's Head (Laolongtou) * * * * *

Old Dragon's Head, a national tourist attraction, is situated four km south of Shanhai Pass. Washed by the Bohai Sea, it was the eastern end of the Great Wall during the Ming Dynasty. Built in 1381 was the Ninghai Stone City, half a kilometer in diameter and jutting 23 meters into the sea with the Chenghai Tower standing on the city wall. Later it was destroyed in the havoc of war and only broken walls remained. The stone city and the tower were restored in 1985 during the national campaign of renovating the Great Wall.

Shanhaiguan - First Pass Under Heaven * * * * *

Built in 1381, Shanhai (Mountains and Sea) Pass is a national tourist attraction and the first strategic pass at the eastern terminus of the Great Wall. Shanhai Pass, 15 kilometers from the tourist city of Qinhuangdao, is so called because it is situated between the Yanshan Mountains and the Bohai Sea. As the strategic passage between North and Northeast China, the pass has always been a bone of contention for military strategists since ancient times. On the eastern city tower hangs a huge plaque bearing the horizontal inscription of five Chinese characters in bold script, meaning the "No.1 Pass Under Heaven." The magnificent city tower, the almost inaccessible terrain and the calligraphic art of the inscription are regarded as "three unique things" of Shanhai pass.

Beidaihe Beach * * * * *

Situated 15 kilometers southwest of the Qinhuangdao City limit, Beidaihe Beach is a national scenic spot washed by the Bohai Sea. The beach is two-km wide and 10-km long with the bay winding along. Its fine sand, moderate climate and picturesque landscape make Beidaihe Beach a favorite tourist resort. In addition, the Beach is also known for its rare rocks and cultural relics. As far back as 1898 the Qing government officially turned it into a summer resort. Since 1949 when New China was founded, over 3,000 restaurants, shops, hotels and guesthouses have been built, turning Beidaihe into a popular tourist spot in North China.