Plan at a glance
Old town and tower visit
First Pass Under Heaven (天下第一关) is on East Street in Shanhaiguan Old Town (山海关古城). The old-town lanes are free to enter; a ticket is required to climb the gate tower. Zhendong Arrow Tower (镇东箭楼) and Bell and Drum Tower (钟鼓楼) are suited to a daytime visit. Allow about 2–3 hours for the daytime route. Evening activities usually start after 7:00 pm, with performances scheduled separately.
Tickets and opening hours
The old-town lanes are free. A ticket to climb the wall and tower is about RMB 50–60; check whether your ticket includes the arrow tower and the “First Pass Under Heaven” (天下第一关) plaque. A separate ticket is required for Bell and Drum Tower (钟鼓楼). The scenic area is generally open from about 7:00 am to 10:00 pm, with ticket sales ending around 9:30 pm. No advance reservation is required. Buy through the scenic area's official channels or on site, and present the QR code and valid identification requested by your order. International visitors should confirm with the ticketing channel how to purchase and verify tickets using a passport.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
Choose your visit
Arrow tower, plaque, and Bell and Drum Tower
Zhendong Arrow Tower and the “First Pass Under Heaven” plaque are the main reasons to climb the gate tower. From the wall walkway, look out over the old-town rooftops and lanes. Bell and Drum Tower (钟鼓楼) offers elevated views of the town layout. Chuang Guandong Wenhua Tiyan Guan (闯关东文化体验馆) and the old-town streets provide additional context on local history beyond the tower buildings.
Daytime lanes or evening performances
By day, climb the tower and explore the old-town lanes. At night, there may be molten-iron performances and a light show on the gate tower. Some dates also feature Junlin Changcheng (《君临长城》), bamboo drifting, or lion dances; check that day's program. Allow 2–3 hours if you are interested in the historic buildings, Great Wall history, or night performances. Summer has more activities, but the evening program varies by date.
Build your day
One-hour old-town walk
Enter through the official West Gate Visitor Center (西门游客中心) or South Gate (南门). Walk through the lanes to view the tower from outside, continue along a short section of the old town, then leave by the same side. The lanes are free. If you want to climb the arrow tower or Bell and Drum Tower (钟鼓楼), buy the corresponding ticket at the ticket office. Do not pay people on the street who offer to take you inside.
2–3 hour daytime tower route
Buy an entry ticket at the First Pass Under Heaven Arrow Tower entrance (天下第一关箭楼入口) and climb the wall walkway. Continue to Bell and Drum Tower (钟鼓楼) for views over the old town, then visit Chuang Guandong Wenhua Tiyan Guan (闯关东文化体验馆) and return to the lanes. The arrow tower and Bell and Drum Tower use separate tickets. On a clear day, 4:00–6:00 pm is a good time to photograph the rooftops and arrow tower from above.
2–3 hour night visit
Walk from the old-town lanes to Diyi Guan Guangchang (第一关广场) for the gate-tower light show, then continue to the lakeside at Ruilian Pavilion (瑞莲阁) for the molten-iron performance. Reference showtimes are around 8:00 and 8:30 pm; arrive before 7:00 pm to check the locations and program. Performance dates, order, and times can change, so do not schedule your return around fixed showtimes unless you have seen that night's program.
Get there
Official entrances and local bus
The attraction is on East Street in the old town. Enter through the West Gate Visitor Center or South Gate. Take bus 33 to the “First Pass Under Heaven” stop (天下第一关站). A taxi from Qinhuangdao Railway Station takes about 30–40 minutes and costs around RMB 40. Ride-hailing can be difficult near the old-town entrances during peak season.
Parking and connections between attractions
Use the official parking lot and follow its signs; parking fills up during holidays. Do not accept paid directions from roadside touts. Tourist routes may connect First Pass Under Heaven, Old Dragon's Head, and Jiaoshan, but operating status and boarding credentials depend on that day's arrangements. The old-town roads are narrow, so do not drive into them.
Know before you go
Tickets, discounts, and passes
The old-town lanes are free. Tickets to climb the arrow tower are about RMB 50–60; check which areas are included. If you also plan to visit Old Dragon's Head or Jiaoshan, compare the multi-site pass, about RMB 120–150, and confirm the included attractions one by one. Discounts for seniors and children follow the ticket rules.
Evening program and crowds
Evening performances usually start after 7:00 pm. Molten-iron performances are around 8:00 pm and the gate-tower light show around 8:30 pm; other program times depend on the day's notice. Popular shows require arriving early to find a viewing spot. Parking lots and tower entrances can also have queues during holidays, so plan your trip out of the old town.
Official routes, photography, and dining
For photos, use public streets and official squares. Access to hotel courtyards, narrow lanes beside shops, and other private areas is not guaranteed. For breakfast, try Sitiao Baozi (四条包子) or Xiaobailou Tangguan (小白楼汤馆). For a main meal, options include Daliang Jia Chang Cai (大亮家常菜) for seafood hun guo (海鲜浑锅), and Shanhaiguan Hexi Hun Guo (山海关合喜浑锅). Changpinxuan (常品轩) is popular; check opening hours and book before dining.