Old Dragon's Head (Laolongtou)
老龙头景区
About
Old Dragon's Head (Laolongtou) sits on the Bohai Sea coast in Shanhaiguan District, Qinhuangdao, about 5-8 km south of Shanhaiguan's old town. Built in 1381 during the Ming dynasty and later expanded, it marks the easternmost starting point of the Great Wall and is the only stretch where the wall runs into the sea. Destroyed in 1900 and rebuilt in 1984, the site now covers roughly 700 mu and includes the Chenghai Tower viewing platform, the stone sea-wall fortress (Rushi Shicheng), and the Sea God Temple. It suits history and Great Wall enthusiasts and families comfortable with stairs and coastal walking.
Highlights
- Stone sea-wall fortress
- Chenghai Tower view
- Sea God Temple
- Jinglu Beacon Tower
- Ninghai Town wall
- High-tide waves at the wall
Getting there
- By train & bus
- From Shanhaiguan Old Town or Shanhaiguan Railway Station, take bus line 25 (or similar) to the Laolongtou stop, about 20-30 minutes; in summer peak season there is usually an additional tourist shuttle line, so check local bus notices for the current route.
- By car
- From downtown Qinhuangdao, drive southeast via National Highway 206 or the coastal road, about 30-40 minutes; from Shanhaiguan Old Town it's about a 15-minute taxi ride (roughly 8 km) to the entrance.
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Address 河北省秦皇岛市山海关区老龙头路(山海关古城城南约5公里)
Show the Chinese address to your driver.
Before you go
- The steps on the sea-facing side of the Rushi Stone Castle (the fort running into the sea) are steep and windy, and waves can splash the walkway at high tide, so watch your footing.
- Midday sun on the beach is intense in summer, so visit in the early morning or evening and bring a sun hat and sunscreen.
- Chenghai Tower has the best views — climb to the top for a panorama of the Rushi Stone Castle and the Bohai Sea, and it's worth prioritizing.
- Weekends and summer holidays in peak season get crowded, so book tickets online in advance and allow 2-3 hours for the visit.
- There's a fair amount of walking inside the site, so wear comfortable shoes; elderly visitors and children should watch for uneven steps.
- Sea breezes can be strong, so bring a light jacket.
Tickets Peak season (April-October) admission is about ¥50 per person; off-season and online group-buy or advance-booking discounts often bring it down to roughly ¥20-30, so check the posted price on the scenic area's official channels or a ticketing platform on the day. Children under 1.2m enter free; visitors over 70, people with disabilities, and active-duty or disabled military personnel enter free with valid ID; minors aged 6-18 and seniors aged 60-69 get half-price or discounted tickets with ID. Booking online via platforms like Ctrip or Meituan is recommended, especially in peak season and on holidays when it gets busy.
Hours Open year-round 07:30-18:00 (peak and off-season hours are roughly the same, with last entry at 17:00), but check the scenic area's daily notice for the current schedule.
Frequently asked
Are Old Dragon's Head and Shanhaiguan Old Town the same attraction?
No. Old Dragon's Head is a separate scenic area on the coast about 5-8 km south of Shanhaiguan Old Town. They have separate tickets, and you need to travel between them separately, usually by taxi or bus.
Is it better to visit at high tide or low tide?
At high tide, waves crashing against the Rushi Stone Castle create the most dramatic and iconic view of Old Dragon's Head; at low tide you can see the fortress foundation more clearly, but it's less visually striking. Check the day's tide table before you go.
How much is admission, and can I buy tickets on site?
Peak-season admission is about ¥50 per person, with frequent discounts off-season and on online platforms. Tickets can be bought on site, but during peak-season holidays it's best to book online in advance via platforms like Ctrip or Meituan to skip the line.
Nearby in Shanhaiguan
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