Laolongtou Seaside at Shanhaiguan

Laolongtou Seaside at Shanhaiguan is the shoreline around Old Dragon's Head, the point where the Ming-dynasty Great Wall runs out into the Bohai Sea, in Shanhaiguan District, Qinhuangdao, Hebei province. Unlike the resort beaches of Beidaihe, this is primarily a historic and scenic coastline: the wall's seaward end, built as a defensive fortification, juts into the water and is the main reason visitors come. The site sits roughly 4 km south of Shanhaiguan's old town, at the eastern end of the Hebei coast near the border with Liaoning.

The shoreline here is a mix of sand and shingle with a boardwalk and viewing areas, and the character is that of a sightseeing stop rather than a long sunbathing beach. The Bohai Sea water is greenish and cool, and swimming is not the main activity; visitors typically walk the boardwalk, view the wall meeting the sea, and photograph the fortifications. The coast is open and exposed to the wind, and conditions can be breezy even in summer. Waves are generally small, but the setting does not offer the organised swim zones found at the Beidaihe resort beaches.

Amenities are basic. Public toilets and a boardwalk serve visitors, and a seafood market nearby sells fresh catch and prepared dishes. The Old Dragon's Head site itself is a ticketed heritage attraction, and the surrounding area includes a restored fortress, temple, and museum-style exhibits, so a visit is usually combined with the Great Wall history rather than a beach day. Families and domestic tour groups form most of the crowd, with peak visitor numbers in summer and national holidays.

Access is simple from Shanhaiguan old town. A taxi takes about 15 minutes, and the site can also be reached from Shanhaiguan Railway Station by taxi or local bus. Visitors typically combine Laolongtou with Shanhaiguan Pass, known as the First Pass Under Heaven, and the old town for a full day of Great Wall sightseeing. The best conditions are from May to September, when the weather is warm enough to enjoy the boardwalk, and early morning visits offer better light and fewer tour groups. The site is much less suitable than the central Beidaihe beaches for those who want a conventional swimming day, and it is better regarded as a coastal heritage walk with sea views.