The Badaling section is the most famous and most visited segment of the Great Wall of China. It is located 75 kilometres northwest of Beijing, in Yanqing District, at the northern entrance to the ancient Guangou road of the Jundu Mountains. In ancient times, this place was considered one of the nine great strategic points of the country and served as the forward outpost of the important Juyong Pass.
The Chinese say: "The danger of Juyong Pass lies not in its fortress, but in the Badaling section," highlighting the rugged terrain of this place, combining steepness, grandeur and picturesqueness. Juyong Pass is the main, well-fortified passage through the Jundu Mountains, located in the 18-kilometre Guangou Valley. It was one of the key gateways to Beijing and the main place where the enemy could attempt to break through.
History of Construction and Scale
Construction of the first sections of the Great Wall began as early as the 3rd century BC, during the reign of the Qin Dynasty, to protect against raids by nomadic tribes. One fifth of the population at the time — about one million people — participated in the construction.
The sections of the wall that have survived to this day were mainly built during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). During this era, brick and stone blocks became the main building materials, making the structure more reliable. The wall stretched from east to west from the Shanhaiguan Pass on the coast of the Bohai Sea to the Yumenguan Pass at the junction of Gansu and Xinjiang provinces.
The total length of the wall, including all its branches, ranges from 8,851 to 21,196 kilometres according to various sources. The average parameters of the wall are: height — 7.5 metres (9 metres with battlements), width at the crest — 5.5 metres, width at the base — 6.5 metres.
Uniqueness of the Structure
The Great Wall of China is not just a defensive structure. It was meant to serve as the extreme northern border of Chinese civilisation, to protect the subjects of the "Central Empire" from adopting a semi-nomadic way of life, and to clearly demarcate the borders of a unified empire. Such a grand structure has no equal in the world, neither in scale nor in labour input.
Condition of the Wall in the 19th–20th Centuries
The Manchu Qing Dynasty (1644–1911), having overcome the Wall with the help of Wu Sangui`s betrayal, treated it with neglect. Over the three centuries of Qing rule, the Great Wall almost crumbled under the impact of time. Only a small section near Beijing — Badaling — was maintained in order, as it served as a kind of "gateway to the capital."
In 1953, the fortress walls and the Badaling outpost were restored and turned into a tourist zone. In 1957, this section was the first to be opened for free public access. In 1984, a large-scale programme for the restoration of the Great Wall was launched. Today, the part of Badaling open to visitors is 3,741 metres long, including 21 watchtowers.
The Badaling Section: Northern and Southern Lines
The Badaling fortress has a trapezoidal shape, narrowing to the east and widening to the west, with two gates — eastern and western. Above the eastern gate is inscribed "Juyong — the outer bulwark," and above the western gate — "Northern Gate — the key to the country."
The wall is divided into two main directions:
The Northern Line is the classic route chosen by most tourists. It consists of 12 watchtowers. Northern Tower No. 8 is the highest point of the section, offering a panoramic view. Here stands the famous stone with the characters "True Hero" — a reference to the well-known Chinese saying "He who has not been to the Great Wall is not a true hero." This is where everyone heads, which is why the northern section is always very crowded.
Beyond Northern Tower No. 9 begins a very steep descent, and people with a fear of heights should be careful.
The Southern Line consists of 7 watchtowers. This route is significantly less crowded and more peaceful. The slope of the southern section is gentler than the northern one, making it suitable for a leisurely stroll. Between Southern Tower No. 5 and Southern Tower No. 7, the widest view opens up — on a clear day you can even make out the silhouette of the China Zun skyscraper in central Beijing. This is where it is easiest to take photos without crowds of tourists.
Ascending to the Southern Section
Unlike the northern section, which only has a cable car, the southern section can be accessed by a ground funicular — the only one of its kind in Northern China. This funicular takes tourists directly to Southern Tower No. 4 — the highest point of the southern section, offering a panoramic view of the winding wall. The carriages have panoramic windows and move along rails through the forest, making the ride comfortable and scenic.
The queues for the southern funicular are significantly shorter than for the northern one, so you can save time here. The fare is 100 yuan one way and 140 yuan round trip. An important nuance: tickets for the northern cable car and the southern funicular are interchangeable, so you can go up one line and descend the other.
The Great Wall Museum
At the entrance to the Badaling scenic area, next to the southern section, is the Great Wall Museum. It was opened in 1994 and is the only state museum in China dedicated to the Great Wall. In 2026, the museum completed a large-scale renovation and renewed exhibition.
The museum includes nine exhibition halls across eight thematic sections, including "The Great Wall of Past Eras," "The Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty," and "Cultural and Economic Ties." The exhibits tell the story of the wall`s origin and development, important historical battles, cultural relics discovered at various sites along the wall, as well as weapons and armour of ancient warriors. Of particular interest is a scale model of the Great Wall, allowing visitors to clearly see its layout.
The museum is open daily from 9:00 to 17:00 in the high season and from 9:00 to 16:30 in the low season, with Monday being the day off. Entrance to the museum is free.
Tips for Tourists
How to Get There and Tickets
High-speed train (recommended): from Beijing North Railway Station or Qinghe Station on the high-speed train to "Badaling Great Wall" station (about 20–25 minutes). The ticket costs about 25 yuan. From the station to the entrance is a 10-minute walk, with free luggage storage available. Tickets must be booked in advance, at least 7–14 days ahead.
Bus No. 877: departs from Deshengmen, takes about 1.5–2 hours, fare is about 12 yuan (cash or transport card only).
Ascending by Cable Car to the Northern Section
The cable car takes tourists to Northern Tower No. 7, from where there is only a short walk to the highest point (Tower No. 8). Fare: 100 yuan one way, 140 yuan round trip.
The Southern Section — A Crowd-Free Alternative
You can ascend the southern section by the ground funicular to Southern Tower No. 4. This allows you to avoid long queues and enjoy the views without crowds of tourists. The route along the southern section takes about 2–3 hours and is suitable for a leisurely stroll.
The Great Wall at the Badaling section is not just a tourist attraction, but a place where you can feel the scale of human labour and touch centuries of history. If you do not like crowds, choose the less crowded southern route with the funicular and do not forget to visit the museum to gain a deeper understanding of the significance of this great structure. In any case, the impression will stay with you forever.
