Plan at a glance
Entrance and visit area
Old Dragon's Head (老龙头) is at 1 Longhai Avenue in Shanhaiguan District. The main entrance is Daqilou (大旗楼), the main entrance tower. The main buildings follow a single walking route from Ninghai City (宁海城) and Longwu Camp (龙武营) to Chenghai Tower (澄海楼), Ruhai Shicheng (入海石城), the stone fort extending into the sea, and Haishenmiao (海神庙). The core walk takes about 1.5–2 hours; adding Bagua Maze (八卦阵) and Jinglu Platform (靖卤台) takes about 2–3 hours.
Tickets and opening hours
An adult ticket is about RMB 60 and can be bought online or on site; no reservation is required. Students and visitors aged 60 or older may qualify for half-price admission. Visitors aged 70 or older and children under 1.2 m are generally admitted free. In peak season, roughly April–October, hours are about 7:30 am–6:00 pm; in the off-season, roughly November–March, they are about 8:00 am–5:00 pm. The site has no evening opening.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
Choose your visit
Where the Great Wall meets the coast
Ruhai Shicheng (入海石城), the stone fort extending into the sea, reaches about 22 m into the water and is the focal point of this coastal visit. A nearby stele marks the starting point of the Great Wall. Chenghai Tower overlooks the shoreline from higher ground, while Ninghai City and Longwu Camp introduce the layout and exhibits of Ming-era military camps. Haishenmiao sits beside the water. The core walk brings the wall, towers, and sea together in one visit.
Choose a comfortable pace
Allow 1.5–2 hours for the core route or 2–3 hours if you also want to see Bagua Maze and Jinglu Platform. Most of the route is relatively level, so families can choose the shorter walk for younger children. For softer light on the coast, arrive before 8:00 am or after 3:00 pm.
Build your day
1.5–2 hour core route
Enter through Daqilou (大旗楼) and first visit the exhibits at Ninghai City and Longwu Camp. Continue to Chenghai Tower, Ruhai Shicheng, and finish at Haishenmiao. Allow about 1.5–2 hours, with extra time at Chenghai Tower and where the Great Wall meets the sea. Follow the signs inside the scenic area back to the exit.
2–3 hour extended route
Follow the core route through Ninghai City, Longwu Camp, Chenghai Tower, Ruhai Shicheng, and Haishenmiao, then add Bagua Maze and Jinglu Platform. The extended walk takes about 2–3 hours. Security checks and visitor numbers can slow entry during holidays; if you have another stop afterward, use the core-route timing to decide whether to add the extension.
Evening plans after Old Dragon's Head
Old Dragon's Head does not open at night. After an afternoon visit, a taxi ride to the First Pass Under Heaven old town takes about 10 minutes for evening activities. Old-town performances are seasonal and date-specific; check the day's program before deciding when to leave. Old Dragon's Head generally closes at 6:00 pm, so exit before closing.
Get there
From Shanhaiguan Railway Station
After arriving at Shanhaiguan Railway Station, a taxi to the attraction takes about 15 minutes and costs around RMB 15–20. You can also take bus 25 or 35 to the “Old Dragon's Head” stop (老龙头站). For driving, navigate to “Old Dragon's Head Scenic Area Parking Lot” (老龙头景区停车场); parking is about RMB 10 per visit.
Shuttle to the old town and return options
Old Dragon's Head is about 6 km from Shanhaiguan Old Town, or around 10 minutes by taxi. Whether a tourist shuttle is running, where it boards, and its last departure depend on that day's notice. If you plan to continue to the old town at night, check your return arrangements first; allow time for a taxi if the shuttle is not confirmed.
Know before you go
Ticket discounts and seasonal changes
An adult ticket is about RMB 60. Students and visitors aged 60 or older may qualify for half-price admission; visitors aged 70 or older and children under 1.2 m are generally admitted free. Hours vary by season. Online and on-site tickets are both available; check the ticket terms for entry times and discount eligibility.
Queues, food, and extra activities
Entry queues can be long during holidays. Food inside the scenic area is relatively expensive, so you may bring water and snacks. Ye Cunli Haixian Daxian Zhengjiao (叶存利海鲜大馅蒸饺) is near the ticket office; hun guo (浑锅), a local Shanhaiguan-style hot pot, and Sitiao Baozi (四条包子) are options back in the old town. Speedboat rides are an extra activity; ask about the ride duration, price, and service details before booking.
Rocks, sun, and photography
Coastal rocks can be slippery. Wear shoes with good grip and stay on the safe paths. There is little shade along the coast in summer, and jellyfish may appear on the beach; do not touch them. For photos, use a low wide angle from the end of Ruhai Shicheng to include the water, photograph the coastline from the top floor of Chenghai Tower, or frame Haishenmiao from its pier. Wind and weather can affect activities by the water.