Shanhai Pass

Shanhai Pass (shan=mountain; hai=sea; pass= gate/pass your feet) This is the gate between the mountain and the sea. It is the beginning of the Great Wall. It was heavily guarded as a defense from northern invasions of the Manchurians.

The very beginning of the Great Wall of China.

This is a portion of the original wall; it is encased and protected as a means of preservation.

During the Ming Dynasty the imperial administration charged the governor general to build Longwu Camp and to train the troops to strengthen the sea and land defense. The troops amounted to about 1500 soldiers. This restored soldiers’ camp is a reproduction of the past life of the soldiers.

There were 4 'barracks' similar to this one housing about 1,500 soldiers. The rooms were not heated; however, there was a system that allowed heat to be pushed under the beds. This was managed through a coal fire pit that was outside the entrance to the barracks. I think there was a lot of ‘body-genereated’ heat as the quarters were quite small for the number of soldiers needing to rest at any given time.

 This is a picture of the original sign; it reads

The First Pass Under Heaven, another name for Shanhai Pass.