Refers to the east of Shanhaiguan
Shanhaiguan, also known as Yuguan, Yuguan and Linluguan, is located 15 kilometers northeast of Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province and is northeast of the Ming Great Wall One of the passes, it is known as "one of the three wonders" of the Great Wall of China (Shanhaiguan in the east, Zhenbeitai in the middle, and Jiayuguan in the west), "the first pass in the world", and "the throat of border counties and the guarantee of the capital". It echoes the Jiayuguan Pass thousands of miles away and is famous all over the world.
The ancient city of Shanhaiguan is an important military city defense system on the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty. The east tower of Dongmen Town is majestic. Because it is located in a strategic pass and the situation is dangerous, it is also the first pass from the east of the Great Wall, so it is called " "The First Pass in the World" is a landmark building in the ancient city of Shanhaiguan. On the left and right sides of it are the Jingbian Tower, the Muying Tower, the Zhendong Tower, the Linlu Tower and the Weiyuan Hall. Five watchtowers are lined up in a row. It is open and evenly distributed along the line of the Great Wall, which is more than 1,000 meters long, and is called the "East of Five Tigers Town"; there is a bell and drum tower in the center of the city, and the streets and lanes of Guancheng are laid out in a checkerboard pattern. Four urn cities are guarding the outside of the city, forming a strong city. It has the power of protection; the outer layer is built with Luocheng, Yicheng, Acropolis, Shaoling City, etc., showing the strict city defense architectural style in ancient China.
The First Pass in the World is the first pass at the eastern starting point of the Great Wall. It is the dividing line between the inner and outer passes and an important barrier for Beijing, the capital of the Ming Dynasty. It is a historical relic and cultural scenic spot that mainly displays the important pass of the Ming Dynasty and the Great Wall of the Plain. Shanhaiguan is an important military town and strategic location. During the Xuande period of the Ming Dynasty, a special military department was established here. It was the only branch of the Ministry of War in the Ming Dynasty and had unique military and political value. From its establishment to the fall of the Ming Dynasty, for more than 200 years, there were 90 military department chiefs here.
Shanhaiguan is only about 280 kilometers away from Beijing, and the terrain between the two places is mainly plains that are conducive to cavalry attacks. It is precisely because of the special geographical location of Shanhaiguan that it is related to the safety of the capital of the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, starting from the middle and late Ming Dynasty, Shanhaiguan gradually won the title of "the first pass in the world". The so-called "first" in "the first pass in the world" not only refers to Shanhaiguan's location at the eastern end of the Great Wall, but also shows its important geographical value in guarding the Western Liaoning Corridor and protecting the North China Plain.
Historical value
Due to its location at the hub of the farming culture of the Central Plains and the nomadic culture of the Northeast, Shanhaiguan's commercial status was particularly significant during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. There were frequent business trips between the Central Plains and ethnic minorities. It is both a military and commercial center.
Shanhaiguan and its buildings played a decisive role in preventing the rise of the Jurchen tribe in the Northeast and the remnants of the Yuan Dynasty in the Ming Dynasty.