"Kanto", as a geographical proper term in the cultural circle of Chinese characters, originated from the pre-Qin period in China and generally refers to the area east of Hanguguan. However, with the changes of the times, the meaning of "Kanto" in China has changed. From the Ming Dynasty to the present, "Kanto" generally refers to the area east of Shanhaiguan.

Guandong's appearance means that there are more prime ministers in the area east of Hanguguan, and the Book of Jin Yao Xing is published. In Qin and Han Dynasties, Hanguguan and Dasanguan, which are located in the Xiaoshan Valley, were widely used as landmarks to distinguish east, middle and west regions, and were called Kanto, Guanzhong and Kansai respectively. The above shows the origin of Kanto in Qin and Han Dynasties.

There are two concepts: broad and narrow.

Throughout history, people in areas within Shanhaiguan pass through customs to make a living can be described as "going through the Kanto", which is in a broad sense. In a narrow sense, "breaking through the Kanto" only refers to the history of the people in the customs going to Kanto to make a living from the Tongzhi period of the Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China. What we usually call "crossing the Kanto" is narrow.