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| Chinese New Year » Great Wall of China » Shanhaiguan Pass |
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First Pass Under Heaven
The Shanhaiguan Pass has a horizontal board with the inscription for "First Pass Under Heaven". It is a calligraphic writing by scholar Xiao Xian of the Ming dynasty which hangs in the second story of the gate tower. So Shanhaiguan became known as the First Pass Under Heaven.Situated in the east of Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province it forms a pass of strategic importance at the eastern end of the Great Wall. In the year 1381 (the 14th year of the Ming Hong Wu reign) General Xu Da set up the pass when a castle was built here.
The Name Old Dragon Head
The starting point of the Great Wall which is five kilometers to the east of Shanhaiguan dips into the sea like a dragon's head. While it dips 20 meters into the sea, it is piled up 10 meters high where the surging waves beat against the rocks thus resembling a dragon head. Hence the name Old Dragon Head. The Jinglu platform, the South sea pass, and the Chenghailou Tower and the Ninghai Castle are in a strong fortification there which add up to the structure.
Shanhaiguan Pass
Shanhaiguan Pass is irregularly shaped resembling a trapezoid. The Shanhaiguan Great Wall is 11.6 meters high and 10 meters wide. It has gates on each side namely Zhendong, Yingen, Wangyang and Weiyuan. The south and the north are heavily fortified while the east and the west has got outer walls for defending the castle. Built of rammed earth the Shanhaiguan Great Wall looks majestic together with towers at the northeast and the southeast.
The Great Wall of China is one of the wonders of the world. Know more about this spectacular Wall and its Passes at 123Chinese New Year. |
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