A Majestic Pass: Echoes of History Between Mountains and Sea
Standing beneath Shanhaiguan Pass, gazing up at the towering plaque proclaiming "The First Pass Under Heaven," the five characters, powerful and vigorous, seem to embody boundless strength. This pass, over six centuries old, awes the hearts of every visitor with its grandeur.
Beneath the Yanshan Mountains to the north and connecting to the Bohai Sea to the south, Shanhaiguan derives its name from its unique geographical location. In the fourteenth year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, Xu Da, a founding hero, established a garrison here, leaving behind this crucial military stronghold along the Great Wall. Touching the mottled walls, one feels not only the cool bricks but also the warmth of time. These weathered marks seem to whisper tales of past battles, evoking images of thunderous drums and clashing swords on ancient battlefields.
Ascending the watchtower, one can gaze far and wide. To the north, the Yanshan Mountains rise in layers, the Great Wall winding like a giant dragon across them; to the south, the Bohai Sea surges, the sea and sky merging into one. This fortified pass, once a vital strategic point controlling China's lifeline, has influenced the nation's destiny countless times over the millennia. It was here that Wu Sangui, the Ming Dynasty general defending the pass, surrendered to the Qing Dynasty, leading to its establishment; it was also here that in 1933, Chinese troops used the pass as a shield, firing the first shot of the Great Wall resistance against Japanese aggression.
Heading south to Laolongtou, the Great Wall appears like a giant dragon entering the sea, its head poised to tumble in the waves. This sea-facing stone fortress was built under the supervision of the renowned anti-Japanese general Qi Jiguang, extending the Great Wall more than twenty meters into the sea. Standing atop Chenghai Tower, witnessing the romantic encounter between the Great Wall and the sea, one is deeply moved by the awe-inspiring grandeur and boundless spirit.
Shanhaiguan is a testament to history, covered in its traces. It is not merely a pass, but a link connecting the past and the future. Touching every brick and tile of this guardian city, feeling the ancient warmth hidden in the cool stone crevices, one is instantly moved by the historical stories and legends of Shanhaiguan.
As I left, the setting sun bathed Shanhaiguan in gold. This majestic pass, a witness to countless dynasties, still stands, silently guarding this land and its people. It has transformed from a frontier fortress into a beautiful scenic spot, but the resilience and wisdom of the Chinese nation it embodies continue to inspire us to remember history and cherish the present.
My trip to Shanhaiguan allowed me to appreciate not only the magnificence of nature but also the weight of history. This fortress is deeply etched in my heart, an indelible memory.