The Great Wall Museum is located in the Badaling Scenic Area, at the foot of the famous section of the Great Wall, approximately 400 metres from the entrance. It is the only state museum in China entirely dedicated to the history and culture of the Great Wall. The museum was opened to the public in September 1994 and, after a large-scale renovation completed in 2026, it once again welcomes visitors.
Architecture of the Museum
Its exterior appearance resembles the Great Wall itself, while the internal exhibition routes follow the curves and elevation changes of the fortress walls. After the renovation, the total area of the museum was significantly increased — from 4,000 to 16,000 square metres.
The main architectural feature of the renovated museum is the extensive use of glass. The most important hall on the second floor, the "Great Wall Hall," features a fully glazed curtain wall facing south, towards the actual Badaling Wall. This glass wall makes the Great Wall itself the museum`s most impressive "exhibit," creating a sense of unity between the exhibition and the real historical monument. The hall`s construction uses large cantilever steel structure technology, allowing for an unobstructed view. At the same time, the museum`s façade combines glass elements with stone reliefs, harmoniously integrating the modern building into the mountain landscape at the foot of the wall.
Exhibition and Halls
The museum includes nine exhibition halls, grouped into eight thematic sections. The main themes of the exhibition are:
• "The Great Wall of Past Eras" — tells the story of the wall`s origin and development from ancient times.
• "The Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty" — dedicated to the period when the wall acquired its modern appearance.
• "Cultural and Economic Ties" — demonstrates how the wall influenced trade and interaction between peoples on both sides.
• "Construction Equipment" and "Battles on the Wall" — show how the fortress was built and how it defended the empire.
• "Treasury of National Art" — presents the cultural heritage associated with the wall.
Museum Collection
The museum houses artefacts discovered along the Great Wall throughout China. The collection includes over 2,500 items, among them weapons, tools, construction instruments, coins, fragments of ceramics and brickwork. Among the most valuable exhibits are:
An artillery piece from the Ming Dynasty.
• A fortress gate lock — the largest iron lock ever found on the wall, discovered during road construction in the Badaling area in 1997.
• A bronze arquebus with an engraved date of manufacture — 1409.
• A stele with builders` names — a tablet bearing the names of officials and craftsmen who participated in the construction of the Badaling section in 1583.
The museum also features photographs and autographs of more than 200 heads of state and government who have visited the Great Wall over the past 40 years. The certificate of the Great Wall`s inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List is also kept here.
Practical Information for Tourists
• Address: Badaling Scenic Area, Badaling Town, Yanqing District, Beijing.
• Opening Hours: Daily from 9:00 to 17:00 in the high season and from 9:00 to 16:30 in the low season. Closed on Mondays.
• Admission: Free.
A visit to the museum will be an excellent addition to a walk along Badaling — here you can gain a deeper understanding of the history and significance of this great structure, see unique artefacts, and enjoy the view of the actual wall from the panoramic glass window of the renovated museum.
