Follow the Textbook to Travel - Shanhaiguan: Eating, Accommodation, and Transportation Tips! (Pitfall Avoidance Guide)

This time, departing from Beijing to Qinhuangdao, we avoided the crowded Beidaihe and went to Shanhaiguan first. It felt like Shanhaiguan's cultural heritage had a lot to offer! During this one and a half day trip to Shanhaiguan, we gained a lot and have compiled a guide to eating, accommodation, and transportation to avoid pitfalls! Hope it helps those who love life! ⛱️Must-visit attractions: Laolongtou, The First Pass Under Heaven, Shanhaiguan Old Town, Drum Tower, Wang Family Courtyard We arrived at Shanhaiguan around nine in the morning, then took a taxi directly to the old town. Since it wasn't check-in time yet, we put down our luggage and went to play first! 🌄Travel Tips: Buy the 130 yuan combo ticket in advance, which includes a sightseeing bus (the combo ticket is valid for two days, but the sightseeing bus is only valid for the day. The driver will scan the ticket at each attraction, and you can't take the bus twice to the same attraction). If you plan to stay overnight, it is recommended to go to Laolongtou in the morning. Although it is outside the old town, going early means fewer people. Taking photos at Laolongtou is very picturesque, and there is also a beach with fine sand where you can play with children! (Be prepared for sun protection and bring food and drinks in advance). In the afternoon, return to the old town and stroll around the commercial street, Drum Tower, and Wang Family Courtyard (or you can visit these the next morning). Then go to The First Pass Under Heaven, as there is a light show at night. If you don't want to see the light show, you can choose to visit The First Pass Under Heaven early the next morning (we chose to climb The First Pass Under Heaven early the next morning). With fewer people, walking along the ancient city wall allows you to take many beautiful photos! Additionally, there is a welcoming performance at 9:30 in front of The First Pass Under Heaven square! 🏨Accommodation Tips: We booked a homestay inside the old town in advance. It was a small courtyard with two households, clean and tidy, with a double bed, a single bed, and a large tatami in the inner room that can sleep three people, accommodating six people in total without any problem. There was a projector, board games, children's toys, and even a thermometer prepared, very thoughtful! There were also sunshades and lounge chairs in the yard! The environment was quiet at night, and it was a five to six-minute walk to the commercial street without any detours! Food Tips: (1) Shanhaiguan's specialty is Hun Pot (meat pot). We asked the ride-hailing driver in the morning, and he recommended several restaurants in the old town that were economical and affordable. We went to Lao Mutan Hun Pot and wanted to order a four-person meal. The owner was very honest and suggested that a two-person meal would be enough for us, saying we wouldn't finish a four-person meal. It turned out he was right because the two-person meal was already a lot! The table next to us had eight people and only ordered a four-person meal! (2) Si Tiao Baozi, economical and affordable, not far from Lao Mutan Hun Pot, both on the commercial street. Two adults and two children ate for less than 50 yuan and were full! (3) Shanhaiguan Old Soda and Old Ice Cream should not be bought on the commercial street or at attractions. Buy them at small shops in the alleys of the old town; they are much cheaper! Other Suggestions: If you are taking very young children, be sure to stay overnight, then stroll around the old town in the morning when there are fewer people. There are many beautiful graffiti paintings on the walls, full of artistic vibes, reminiscent of Gulangyu in Xiamen! Although the old town is somewhat dilapidated, strolling around in the evening or early morning when there are fewer people gives a sense of time travel. The old houses feel like they have been through the test of time, completely different from the bustling scene during the day!