Qinhuangdao

Qinhuangdao (秦皇岛 Qínhuángdǎo) is a city of 1.9 million people (2020) in the urban area in Hebei province. Qinhuangdao Port is the largest coal shipping port in the country. The Qinhuangdao Wildlife Park and is China's second largest wildlife park.

Qinhuangdao, located in northeastern Hebei Province, is a coastal city on the Bohai Sea. It is known for its beaches, the eastern end of the Great Wall at Shanhaiguan, and nearby seaside resort areas such as Beidaihe and the southern coastal developments in Changli County.

Qinhuangdao is commonly divided into four main areas for travel purposes:

• Beidaihe: A seaside resort district known for beaches and seasonal tourism.
• Nandaihe: A coastal resort area south of Beidaihe in Changli County, known for beaches and a cool arts scene.
• Haigang: The main urban and port district, generally considered Qinhuangdao proper.
• Shanhaiguan: The historic eastern terminus of the Great Wall and a preserved fortified town.

40°0′36″N 119°45′0″E

Map of Qinhuangdao

• 39.6664119.0591 Qinhuangdao Beidaihe Airport (BPE  ^IATA). There is a tiny (by Chinese standards) airport. There are some daily domestic flights to Qingdao, Shijiazhuang, Shanghai and some other places. You can book through the airlines websites, but they are Chinese only. Alternatively, ask someone from your hostel or hotel to book for you; they are glad to help and works out fine.  

Other airports close by are Tianjin (TSN ^IATA) or Beijing Capital Airport (PEK ^IATA) where you can take Inter-Provincial Bus ^{[dead link]}. Take note of the timetable. Or you can take the train from those cities, see below.

There are multiple train options when traveling to Qinhuangdao. Most visitors to Qinhuangdao are coming from either Beijing or Tianjin. Both cities are a two-hour ride on one of CRC's (China Railway Corp.) 'D' or 'Dong' trains. A ticket for a fast train to or from Beijing is ¥93, but expect to pay a ¥5 ticketing fee if not purchased directly at the departure train station. 'T', 'K', and 'numbered' trains also make daily journeys through Qinhuangdao, but they are much slower (4-6 hours from Beijing) and rarely worth the savings for western travelers who value time over cost.

Long distance buses are common in China, and Qinhuangdao is no exception. Buses depart from a central station near to the central train station in the Haiguan area of the city. Bus tickets from Beijing will often cost as much as train tickets, but the departures are more frequent. There is a direct bus from Beijing Capital International Airport direct to Qinhuangdao. Travel time is roughly 4 hours (depending on traffic), and tickets can be purchased directly at the bus station at the airport for ¥150.

Qinhuangdao is a relatively small city by China standards. However, due to its location on the water, the city tends to sprawl in a linear fashion along the coast from Shanhaiguan to Beidaihe, thus making buses and taxis necessary means for getting around.

Taxis are inexpensive and abundant, thus making them the preferred means of transport for travelers. Be sure you can confidently communicate where you want to go before you get into a cab as most of the drivers in Qinhuangdao can not speak English, but many of them can read Chinese. You can ask somebody to write down the place where you want go in Chinese on a card, and show this card to taxi driver. The best approach is to have a valid phone number for where you are going, or a phone number for a contact who can communicate with the driver in Chinese, should there be a problem.

While most taxi drivers are honest and use meters, the ones around railway stations tend to refuse to use meters. The prices they ask are usually a rip off. Be prepared.

Buses are also a good option for getting around the city. City maps, which contain bus routes on them, can be obtained from kiosks near to the central bus and train stations. Buses cost ¥1-2 for a single ticket ride. However, the low cost means that buses are always overcrowded, and occasional pickpockets make it essential to protect your personal belongings.

Many of Qinhuangdao's attractions have been extensively restored or rebuilt in the 1980s. This includes most of the city wall as well as the Great Wall going towards the sea. The other side of the wall, going up the mountains, has been partly restored but some parts remain in their original, crumbling state.

Much of the "old" town, especially along the main north-south road, was completely reconstructed in 2008/09. Several city blocks were remade into a faux-old Chinese city that, despite the lack of history, is quite pleasant to walk through. Most of it, however, is still largely uninhabited and quite like a ghost town. Especially in the evening after sunset, with the tourists gone, you will find even the main streets almost deserted.

Qinhuangdao's attractions are spread across its three main urban areas: Shanhaiguan, Haigang and Beidaihe. Shanhaiguan is known for the eastern end of the Great Wall and the restored old fortified town. Haigang contains the main harbor district and several coastal attractions. Beidaihe is the city's famous seaside resort area.

• 39.966604119.7953851 Old Dragon Head (老龙头) (Take bus 25 from the south gate or train station, taxi around ¥10), ☏ +86 355-5152996. 05:30-17:30. At Qinhuangdao, the Great Wall juts out into the sea. The original wall is long gone, but an extensive rebuilt section has been put up. Bus 25 will take you there for ¥1-3. To get onto the wall and into an area with several rebuilt halls, you need to buy a ticket for ¥60. ¥60.  

• 40.01119.762 Shanhaiguan Pass，First Pass under Heaven (山海关，天下第一关) (East of the Drum Tower in the center of the old town), ☏ +86 335-5258000. 08:00-17:00. The area between the sea and the mountains at Qinhuangdao is called the "First Pass under Heaven", being the place where the Ming dynasty Great Wall began. Guarding the pass is the city of Qinhuangdao, with its (restored) east gate marking the main road through the pass. You can see the tower guarding the gate and, depending on choice of ticket, various exhibitions or take a walk along the city walls. ¥50.  

• Shanhaiguan Fortifications. The walls of the old city of Qinhuangdao can essentially be considered part of the Great Wall: the whole city was built as a wall fortification to guard the pass between the mountains and the sea. The walls of Qinhuangdao are square, with a perimeter of around 4 km in length. The walls reach the height of 14 m, and are 7 meters thick. The east, south and north sides of the fortification are surrounded by a moat 3 m deep and 5 m wide. There are drawbridges to get over the moat. You can only go up on the wall by buying a ticket for the First Pass under Heaven (see above). The other sides of the city have gates as well, but these have been rebuilt: the original buildings long gone. 

• ^{[dead link]} Five Buddha Park, Jiao Shan (角山) (Head straight north from the north gate, 2-3km, taxi ¥10). Further inland, there's a fairly extensive park near another section of the wall. Here, the wall can be seen snaking it's way over the hills. The lower part has been restored in the 1980s, you can walk up the hill about 2/3 of the way before an unrestored part of the wall has been blocked off by a concrete barrier. Next to the wall, there is a walkway towards a temple further back in the hills (alternatively, you can take a chairlift from the bottom). From the temple, you can reach the rear part of the wall going over the hills, where it is made of raw stone rather than bricks and in many places not much more than a convenient walking path remains. By walking south from here, you can reach the other end of the unrestored brick-wall section, blocked by an iron fence on this side. For the adventurous, the barriers on either side are not insurmountable, but some steep parts and loose stones makes this section less safe than those below and above it. ¥30. 

• Other Great Wall ruins. When heading out to Jiao Shan (above), you will see a large earth wall on the right side about 50 m from the road. This is actually a (completely unrestored) part of the Great Wall. On the barbarian side (east) you can still see the bricks and the moat, while the top and the western side are overgrown and few bricks remain. Locals can be seen herding sheep or walking their dogs on this part of the wall. From the road, you can see small paths leading up this wall at intervals; to get to Jiao Shan, the walk up here is much more pleasant than going along the road. When you reach Jiao Shan, the wall is blocked off by a barbed-wire fence, so you will need to buy a ticket to get in. Alternatively, you can walk off the earth wall on the east side and follow a path leading up the hills to a small watchtower. There is another path from here leading off into the hills, but it's not used much and heavily overgrown in places. 

• 40.03119.743 ^{[dead link]} Great Wall Museum (长城博物馆) (take the southeastern gate (near the train station) to the old town and walk north along the eastern wall). Admission is included with some of the First Pass tickets, but it's not inside the compound. Free.  

• 39.933119.6174 Park of Shrine of Emperor's Quest (秦皇求仙入海处), No. 56 Nanshan Street, Haigang District, ☏ +86 335-3410300. 09:00-16:30. A coastal park commemorating the legend of Qin Shi Huang searching for immortality. According to historical accounts, the emperor visited this area in 215 BC and sent expeditions into the Bohai Sea seeking the elixir of life. The site includes statues, reconstructed pavilions and seaside viewpoints.  

• Laodao Ocean Park (Laodao Ocean park). Laodao Ocean Park, with the theme of Ocean Park, is 8 km from Qinhuangdao Airport and 2 km to Old Dragon's Head Great Wall. The park offers rich and colorful entertainment items, which all bring happiness in your tour. The park breeds numerous sea animals and the sea lion, dolphin, and beluga will play brilliant performance. At the bottom of the sea, you can get zero-distance contract with wild animal of ocean, and explore the arcanum of nature as much as you like. Meanwhile, if you are interested in the natural culture, you will have a chance to view the performance full of exoticism. The polar region exhibition hall takes you to the romantic world of ice and snow, and hope you will have a good time with the cute polar bear and penguin. At night, the ebullient bonfire party will give you an enthusiastic evening. 

Beidaihe is Qinhuangdao’s main seaside resort district, known for its beaches, summer tourism, and long-established low- to mid-budget holiday infrastructure.

Camping is permitted in designated areas along the beach including the section locally signed as “Happy Gulf” (欢乐湾).

• 39.87119.525 Qinhuangdao Wildlife Park (秦皇岛野生动物园), ☏ +86 335-4182201. Located near Beidaihe Scenic Area, covering an area of about 5,000 acres, this is a large free-range wildlife park. It contains more than 150 species including tigers, lions, giraffes, and pandas. Visitors can take a sightseeing vehicle through the safari area or walk through designated animal zones. ¥90.  (updated Oct 2025)

South of Beidaihe, Changli County’s coastline contains newer resort developments and beach areas, including Nandaihe and the Aranya community.

• Nandaihe Coastal Area (南戴河). A seaside resort area south of Beidaihe known for long beaches, summer tourism, and holiday facilities. It forms part of the broader Changli County coastline. 

• Emerald Isle (翡翠岛). A sandy coastal peninsula in Changli County known for its dunes, beaches, and coastal scenery. The area is part of a broader protected coastal zone and is often used for beach recreation and nature visits. 

• 39.643544119.3119756 UCCA Dune Art Museum (UCCA沙丘美术馆), Aranya Community, Changli County (昌黎县阿那亚) (Although sometimes described as being in Beidaihe, it is located in Changli County. Access is typically via Changli or private transport from Qinhuangdao.), ☏ +86 335 7522652, [email protected]. Tu-Su 10:00-17:00 (Nov–Apr); Tu-Su 10:00-19:00 (May–Oct). A contemporary art museum embedded in the coastal dunes of the Aranya resort development. It is part of a broader cultural and residential complex on the Changli coastline. ¥80.  (updated Mar 2020)

• Pu Shi (樸石西餐厅), Taiyangcheng Zhengyang Street No. 39, ☏ +86 3252286. 10:00 - 24:00. This is a favorite for pizza in the city. You can dine in, take out, or have it delivered straight to your door. The handmade crusts and ample toppings make this the best Chicago style pie in the city. The private rooms are classy and elegant. You will not be disappointed with the service and comfort. Watch a movie or a sports match on your own personal flat screen. If you do want some company, the piano bar is wonderful. You can curl up in the oversized, overstuffed furniture and take in the scene. This is the place to see and be seen in QHD. 
• Vietnam Youyou Cafe (越南悠悠咖啡), baojie) Sidaoqiao Nanxing 100m, ☏ +86 3034585 - 15133557977. 09:30 - 24:00. The Vietnamese owner makes this the only place to go in Qinhuangdao for Vietnamese fare. The decor is refined, the owner speaks English, the food tastes just like what you’ll find in Hanoi, and the live music is a hit. The menu is pleasantly inexpensive considering the posh surroundings and classy atmosphere. It’s a great choice for a night away from the masses. Private parties large and small are always welcomed. 
• Butterfly (蝴蝶时尚餐厅), Qinhuangdao Haigang District Kanglejie No. 1 (Renmin guangchang yingu xice), ☏ +86 3289777. 09:30 - 24:00. Next to People's Square, it sits in the heart of the entertainment district of the city. This is the place to go for quality cuts of meat and plump steaks. The prices are reasonable, and are on par with other western style steakhouses in China. The bar serves a full line of spirits and wines, and has a nice list of imported beers to choose from. A must visit for anyone who needs a "meat" fix. 
• Haitianyise Hotel (海天一色度假村), Qinhuangdao Haigang District Dongshanjie No. 51, ☏ +86 3417799. 09:00 - 21:00. Nestled among the rocks overlooking the ocean, this is the place to go for weekend brunch. The restaurant is connected to the Haitianyise Hotel and Seaside Resort. It’s a top pick among travelers and locals alike. The seafood buffet is always fresh and includes all the sides and drinks (including alcohol) that you care to consume. Enjoy your meal while watching the waves roll in. 

• Bar Lotus (阿那亚店 Ānàyà Diàn), No.1, East Side, Building 13, Zone 9, Anaya Tinghai Holiday Living Area, Binhai New Avenue, Changli County (滨海新大道阿那亚听海假日生活区九区13栋楼东侧1号), ☏ +86 15033508281. Su-Th 10:00-01:30, F Sa 10:00-02:30. This is a coffee shop and bar on the beach. It sells coffee during the day and alcohol at night. There are indoor seats and outdoor seats respectively. On Friday nights every week, professional massage doctors will also provide free massage services in the store. ¥90. (updated Oct 2023)

  

• Thirteen Invitations Bistro (十三邀小酒馆 Shísān Yāo Xiǎojiǔguǎn), No. 13-105, 9th District, Tinghai Holiday Living Area, Binhai New Avenue, Tuanlin Township, Changli County ( 团林乡滨海新大道听海假日生活区九区13-105号), ☏ +86 335-5829013. 18:30-01:00. ¥133. (updated Oct 2023)
• naive (理想国(阿那亚店)), 101, Building 14, Phase 6, Anaya Cultural and Creative District, Binhai New Avenue (滨海新大道阿那亚文创街区6期14栋101), ☏ +86 15690066891. 09:30-01:00. ¥62. (updated Oct 2023)

On the southwest of Qinhuangdao there are Tianjin and Beijing. On the northeast there are Huludao, Panjin, Shenyang. On the north there is Chifeng, if you enjoy seeing grasslands.

Jiumenkou Great Wall 九门口长城 can be combined into a day trip with Qinhuangdao. It is in Liaoning Province but close enough to Qinhuangdao. One-way taxi from Qinhuangdao to Jiumenkou Great Wall is ¥40-50. Jiumenkou Great Wall is the solely Great Wall section that is built above a river. There is also the only existing Great Wall tunnel. Prepare at least 3 hours for a trip to Jiumenkou Great Wall from Qinhuangdao.

Beijing ← Tangshan ←

W  E

→ Shanhaiguan → Harbin