our kilometers south of Shanhaiguan, Laolongtou is the easternmost end of the Great Wall. It stretches 23 meters into the sea like a dragon drinking water, hence its name. This part of the Great Wall was built in the 7 th year of Wanli reign in the Ming dynasty (1579) and repaired in the 7 th year of Kangxi reign in the Qing dynasty (1668). Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty would stop here for a visit on their way to Fengtian (Present - day Shenyang) to worship their ancestors, which makes the city even more worthy of its name. Standing at Laolongtou, facing the misty sea, visitors can easily picture Emperor Qin (221-207 BC), the first emperor of China, sending people into the sea here to find the secrets to immortality. You can see the Great Wall zigzagging over the rolling mountains like a giant dragon in the north. Looking to the south you can see the vast expanse of sea stretching far to merge with the sky. Here you feel as if you could embrace the whole world.

It consists of the Estuary Stone City, Jinglu Watchtower, Wangshou
Watchtower, Nanhaikou Pass, Chenghai Tower, Ninghai City and
Binhai City.

The Estuary Stone City

The Stone City lying at the estuary was built by Qijiguang, a famous general of the Ming dynasty. It used to serve as a defence against the Nuchen and Mongolia aggression. The Stone City was built on natural reefs and constructed using huge rocks and cast iron chains. With the usual battlements set on the outer walls, the Stone City extends into the sea. It is a sight to behold.

Jinglu Watchtower

North of the Stone City is the Jinglu Watchtower. It (built with granite bars) has a commanding height of the sea.

Wangshou Watchtower

The Wangshou Watchtower and Jinglu Watchtower flank the Old
Dragon's Head Bay and serve as a look out point in which to
sound the alarm during attacks by invading armies. The Wangshou
Watchtower is 25 meters wide and 34 meters tall with a 20 meter
deep basement.

Nanhaikou Pass

Nanhaikou Pass is the only pass of the Ming Great Wall established
on the seashore. With a height of 5.4 meters, this pass was supposed
to be the commanding center of the Laolongtou Great Wall defense
system.

Chenghai Tower

Chenghai Tower, 20 meters away from Nanhaikou pass, was built
after the Nanhaikou Pass was deserted. It functioned as a defensive
tower and disused after the Qing dynasty.

Ninghai City

Ninghai City's wall was built with bricks on a stone foundation. The
city now has been rebuilt and is open to tourists.