Great Wall at Badaling

Located 60 kilometers northwest of Beijing in Yanqing County, Great Wall at Badaling is the most representative part of the Great Wall. As the first section open to tourists, it is the most visited section which is listed among New Seven Wonders of the World as well as World Cultural Heritage Directory by UNESCO.

A saying goes that “You're not a courageous man until you've been to the Great Wall.” Many tourists to China include Great Wall at Badaling on their route. The wall is also frequently visited by foreign leaders. For example, former USA President Richard Nixon and his wife made a visit to this wall on February 24, 1972 during his historic journey to China.

Structure of the Wall

As the best preserved part of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Great Wall at Badaling built in 1505 has a length of 3,741 meters for visit. The wall, wide in west and narrow in east, is built along the mountain range with a military outpost reflecting the location's strategic importance. Many historical events happened at here since the area is a must pass to inner Beijing and China.

Like the other sections of the Great Wall, Badaling Great Wall is made of huge bar-stones and bricks. The wall is about six meters (20 feet) wide, allowing ten people to walk side by side or five horses to gallop abreast. Signal fire platforms are set up to send military signals and small holes on the wall allow archers to shoot arrows.

Scenic Spots at Badaling Great Wall

In addition to the wall itself, the scenic area offers other attractions such as the China Great Wall Museum, Circle Cinema, Residual Wall and Water Pass Great Wall.

China Great Wall Museum looks like a joined beacon fire towers is dedicated to the Great Wall of China by exhibitions of the history, military, architecture, economy, culture, art and present situations of Great Wall. The cultural relics on show at here are unearthed in china along the Great Wall.

Next to the China Great Wall Museum is the Circle Cinema has the largest 360-degree circle cinema in China. The cinema show the Great Wall’s past and present with integrating circular screens and dome, making audiences fell as if they’re in the historical space of the great wall.

Residual Wall in west part of Badaling shows the original appearance of the wall after long history while the Water Pass Great Wall in the east section resembling a V-shape was cut off during the construction of China’s first railway.

How to Go to Badaling

Bus 919 at Deshengmen can take you directly to the Great Wall at Badaling. The bus from Deshengmen to Badaling runs every 15 minutes between 06:00 and 19:00 and the last bus back to Beijing at 18:30.