Let’s Explore the great wall of China
The Great Wall of China🧱
The Great Wall of China is composed of various sections, and in this article, it mainly refers to the Badaling section of the Great Wall. Badaling Great Wall is located at the northern entrance of the ancient military road in Jundushan, Yanqing District, Beijing. It is a crucial part of the Great Wall, one of China’s most renowned defensive structures, and a key pass of the Ming Dynasty‘s Great Wall. As an important outpost of Juyongguan, it was historically said, “The danger of Juyongguan does not lie at the pass, but at Badaling.”
The Badaling section of the Ming Dynasty’s Great Wall is also known as the “Yuguan Heavenly Trench” and is one of the eight scenic wonders of Juyongguan during the Ming era. Badaling is the first section of the Ming Great Wall to be opened to tourists. In addition to the wall itself, the Badaling area boasts a variety of modern tourist amenities, such as the Badaling Hotel and the China Great Wall Museum, inscribed by former president Jiang Zemin.
*The great wall of China.
*The great wall of China.
Renowned for its majestic scenery, well-maintained facilities, and rich cultural heritage, the Badaling section of the Great Wall of China has become a globally famous tourist attraction.
On June 21, 2021, Badaling hosted a grand light show to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. On the morning of February 3, 2022, the torch for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics was passed along Badaling Great Wall in Yanqing. In December 2023, the accessible section of Badaling was extended by 1,245 meters, winding from the southern Seventh Tower to the midway point of the southern Sixteenth Tower.
On April 30, 2024, Badaling’s nighttime opening began, lasting from the May Day holiday through the National Day holiday, with the open section stretching from the northern Fourth Tower to the southern Fourth Tower. By May, the restoration of the brick and stone section of Badaling Great Wall will be completed, with the entire section opening to visitors. The entire Great Wall Scenic Area will gradually open to the public.
Geographic Location🏞️
Badaling Great Wall is situated at the northern entrance of the ancient military road in Jundushan, Yanqing District, Beijing. It lies between 115°59′52”-115°59′31”E and 40°21′9”N-40°21′15”N. Historically known as one of the “Nine Passes Under Heaven,” this section of the Great Wall of China is a quintessential and representative segment of the Ming Great Wall.
The terrain here is perilous and strategically vital, serving as an important military outpost and a protective shield for Beijing. Its favorable geographical location has made it a key route to Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, and Zhangjiakou since ancient times.
Climate Conditions❄️
Located at the northern edge of the North China Plain, Badaling enjoys a typical warm-temperate, semi-humid continental monsoon climate, with four distinct seasons. Spring brings flowers, autumn showcases the moon, summer has rain, and winter offers snow, all with their unique beauty. The average annual temperature is 11.8°C. January, the coldest month, averages -4.6°C, while July, the hottest month, averages 26.1°C.
Badaling’s annual temperature is over 3°C cooler than Beijing’s, making it the crown jewel of “Summer Capital” Yanqing’s tourism industry. Beijing experiences relatively short springs and autumns, longer winters, and an average annual precipitation of 644 mm, with a frost-free period of 180 days.
Ancient Construction🪹
According to historical records such as “Records of the Grand Historian” and surveys by archaeologists, the area around Badaling had a section of the Great Wall during the Warring States period, remnants of which still exist today. The layout of the wall is almost identical to that of the later Ming Dynasty Great Wall. Han Dynasty records also mention the establishment of two strategic passes, Jundu and Juyong.
The Northern Wei Dynasty’s “Commentary on the Water Classic” mentions: “Juyongguan is located at Juyong Border, hence the name. To the south lies an impassable valley, where stones were piled to form the pass… The river flows through Jundu Border…” Thus, experts believe that the Han Dynasty established Juyongguan, with its location at Badaling.
Approximately 1,500 years ago, during the Northern Wei Dynasty, the Great Wall of China in the Badaling area was constructed. Historical records show that in 446 AD, during the seventh year of the Taiping Zhenjun reign, the Northern Wei ruler Tuoba Tao built a section of the wall called “Ji Shang Siewei” (Defense of the Capital), stretching from Jundu Mountain to the Yellow River. Later, during the Northern Qi Dynasty, in 555 AD, the Great Wall was extended from Datong, through Jundu Mountain, all the way to the sea.
*The great wall of china.
Name Origins🕐
The name “Badaling” first appeared in the long poems of Jin Dynasty poet Liu Ying, specifically in his works “Arriving Late at Badaling and Climbing at Dawn” and “Leaving Badaling.” During the Yuan Dynasty, this area was referred to as “Beikou,” meaning “North Pass,” in contrast to “Nankou,” or “South Pass,” which was located in Changping, north of Beijing. Between Nankou and Beikou lies a 40-mile gorge known as “Guangou” (Pass Gorge), home to the famous Juyongguan pass. Badaling is perched at the highest point at the northern end of this gorge.
Architectural Structure🕸️
The Badaling section of the Great Wall is trapezoidal in shape, built in the 18th year of the Hongzhi reign (1505 AD) during the Ming Dynasty. It underwent renovations during the reigns of emperors Jiajing and Wanli. The eastern gate bears the inscription “Juyong Outer Stronghold,” engraved in 1539, while the western gate reads “The Northern Key,” carved in 1582.
Both gates are brick and stone structures with platforms above them, connected to the city wall. There are a total of 1,316 watchtowers along the Great Wall. The majestic and rugged features of Badaling showcase the grandeur and perilous terrain of the Great Wall of China. Acting as a protective barrier for Beijing, the wall winds and stretches across the steep mountains. The “Heavenly Danger” inscription on a sheer cliffside aptly reflects the military significance of Badaling’s location.
Major Attractions🕸️
Wangjing Stone: Located outside the eastern gate of Badaling Fortress, next to the “Juyong Outer Stronghold” gate, is a 15-meter-long granite stone with the words “Wangjing Stone” inscribed on it.
Heavenly Danger Inscription: Inside the eastern gate, near the Bear Park, on the mountainside is an inscription reading “Heavenly Danger,” carved in 1835 by the governor of Yanqing.
Tanqin Gorge: Situated below the Fifth Ghost Head Mountain, Tanqin Gorge is one of the scenic wonders of Guangou.
Pass and Fortifications🕸️
Originally a pass, Badaling was later developed into a fortress. Between 1569 and 1582, the fortress was expanded, with walls built along the surrounding mountains, eventually forming part of the Great Wall of China. The complete defense system includes passes, watchtowers, beacon towers, and other military structures.
Historical Cannons💣
At the entrance to Badaling Great Wall, near the path to the wall, there are five iron cannons on display, dating back to the Ming Dynasty. The largest cannon, 2.85 meters long with a 105mm caliber, has a range of over a kilometer and was one of the advanced weapons of its time.
*Crowds at the Great Wall Of China.
*A Scenic View of a Section of the Great Wall of China.
The Fortress🛞
Outside the east gate of the Badaling fortress lies a temple called Wangjing Temple, which once housed a large Buddha statue carved from the stone cliff. Outside the west gate stood a memorial archway with an inscription that read, “Chase the invaders for thousands of miles.” Both the temple and the archway were demolished in 1505 when the fortress was rebuilt by Wu Yiguan, then a high-ranking official overseeing border defense.
The fortress has both east and west gates. The lower part of the west wall is built with over ten layers of granite blocks, while the upper part is constructed with large bricks. The wall is over 20 meters wide, 17 meters thick, and 7.8 meters high. Atop the wall is a rectangular fortress platform, 19.8 meters long, 14.15 meters wide, and covering an area of 280.17 square meters, with parapets on all sides.
On either side of the platform, about 30 to 40 meters away, stand watchtowers, connected by walls to the fortress, forming a strategic defense formation. The south and north walls of the fortress are built along the mountain ridges, meeting at the east gate.
The walls are 3.3 meters thick, 2,070 meters long, and 7.6 meters high. The distance between the east and west gates is 63.9 meters, and the fortress area is around 5,000 square meters. The east gate, inscribed with “Outpost of Juyong,” was built in 1539, and the west gate, inscribed with “Key to the Northern Gate,” was added in 1582, both of which remain intact today.
The Wall🧱
The Badaling section of the Great Wall stands 6 to 9 meters high. Its cross-section is trapezoidal, with the base width ranging from 6.5 to 7.5 meters and the top width from 4.5 to 5.8 meters. Most of the wall’s top is broad and flat, wide enough for five horses to ride abreast or ten people to walk side by side. The centerline of the wall leans slightly toward the outside, with the outer wall being higher than the inner one.
Watchtowers🔭
There are 43 watchtowers along the Badaling Great Wall, each uniquely designed while sharing similar structures. Some towers are used for patrolling, while others have two levels. The upper levels feature crenellations and shooting holes, while the lower levels serve as quarters for soldiers and storage for supplies. The distances between towers are determined by the terrain.
All the towers are constructed from brick and stone, with arched ceilings on both levels and stairways connecting them. Each level is equipped with firing and observation holes, as well as water drainage spouts. The towers extend out from the wall, with the wall connecting back to the towers. Sixteen watchtowers, including the South Four Tower, North Four Tower, and North Five Tower, have been restored.
Battle Platforms🥁
The battle cannons, originally named “Jiesheng Feikong Mielu Anbian Fayuan Shenpao” (meaning “Victory in Battle and Suppression of Invaders”), were installed along key transportation routes or strategically important spots on the Great Wall. These platforms, similar to fortresses, had one to three levels depending on their size. Inside, they stored weapons, ammunition, and other military supplies, serving a more significant role than the watchtowers.
According to Ming dynasty records by Liu Xiaozu, under the supervision of General Qi Jiguang, a total of 1,200 enemy towers and battle platforms were built along the Great Wall from Shanhaiguan to Beijing, though the original plan was to construct 3,000. In times of war, these platforms could be used to “strike downward with firearms, Frankish cannons, and mother-child cannons in rotation.” If supplies ran low, cannons would be used as replacements.
A single platform typically required 30 men to guard the platform and another 30 to guard the parapets, organized into six squads. Each platform held 300 pounds of gunpowder and was stocked with divine arrows, iron clubs, and thousands of large and small stones. Additionally, a month’s worth of food and water was stored.
These meticulously designed platforms were capable of both offensive and defensive actions, working closely with other military structures such as the fortress platforms and enemy towers to form a dense network of firepower. This greatly enhanced the defensive capabilities, allowing effective resistance against enemy cavalry and playing a crucial role in military strategy.
*An Autumn Scene of the Great Wall of China.
*An Autumn Scene of the Great Wall.
Historical Significance🗃️
Badaling has been a critical military strategic point since ancient times. During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the Great Wall was built here to defend against northern tribes, and remnants of the original walls and watchtowers can still be seen today. These remnants run mostly parallel to the Ming Dynasty Great Wall.
Badaling is a mountain pass nestled among the peaks of the Jundu Mountains, a place where even the slightest disturbance could be felt. A Ming-era text, “Changan Night Talks”, notes: “The road diverges here, leading in all directions, hence the name Badaling, as it is the highest among the mountain passes.” This illustrates the strategic importance of Badaling’s geographic location.
After more than 80 years of construction, the Badaling Great Wall evolved into a well-organized defense system, with interlocking fortresses, watchtowers, and beacon towers forming a tight network of protection.
Historically, the Badaling Great Wall served as the gateway to protect Juyong Pass. From Badaling to what is now Nankou, there is a 40-li (approx. 20-kilometer) gorge, at the center of which is the fortress of Juyong Pass. This gorge is known as Guanguo (Pass Gorge), and the Badaling Great Wall, which sits at the northernmost and highest point of the gorge, controls the pass. The two peaks on either side of the wall create a natural bottleneck, making it an extremely perilous spot.
Ancient people once said, “Looking down from Badaling, Juyong Pass appears like a lead rope, or a well seen from above,” and “The danger of Juyong lies not in the pass, but in Badaling.” This suggests that while Juyong Pass was a fortress, the real Great Wall was constructed at Badaling. The unique terrain of the Badaling mountain pass made it a contested spot for military strategists throughout history, and building the Great Wall here had immense strategic importance.
Badaling has witnessed many significant events in Chinese history. After Emperor Qin Shi Huang visited Jieshi, he traveled through Badaling on his way to Datong and then back to Xianyang. Later, notable figures such as Empress Dowager Xiao, Genghis Khan, Ming Dynasty emperors during northern campaigns, and Li Zicheng during his capture of Beijing all passed through Badaling.
*A View of the Great Wall of China.
*The Great Wall Under the Chinese National Flag.
In modern history, Empress Dowager Cixi fled west through Badaling, tears in her eyes, while Zhan Tianyou oversaw the construction of China’s first independently built railway, the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Railway, at Badaling. Sun Yat-sen also visited the Great Wall at Badaling, leaving behind many historical anecdotes and precious memories, marking it as a place of historical significance.
The Badaling Great Wall was the first section of the Great Wall opened to the public, and has since welcomed over 130 million visitors, including 372 foreign leaders like Nixon, Reagan, Thatcher, Gorbachev, Queen Elizabeth, and others.
Notable Achievements
The Most Visited Section of the Great Wall
The Badaling Great Wall has received more visitors than any other section of the Wall. In October 1952, 10 delegates attending the Asia and South Pacific Peace Conference in China became the first recorded tourists to visit Badaling. Since then, Badaling has welcomed over 120 million visitors, including more than 13 million international tourists.
By 2009, visitors from 178 countries—91% of the world’s total—had visited the site. Only tourists from 16 countries that do not have diplomatic relations with China had yet to visit. According to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official, Badaling has hosted more world leaders than any other tourist site in China.
The Most Visited by World Leaders🫅
In 1957, Badaling welcomed its first foreign dignitary, Kliment Voroshilov, Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union. In the following decades, over 400 heads of state and government leaders, including Nixon, Reagan, Bush, Queen Elizabeth II, Margaret Thatcher, Emperor Akihito, Yeltsin, Putin, and Mandela, have visited Badaling.
In February 1999, when Vice Premier Qian Qichen inspected Badaling, he remarked, “In more than 40 years, Badaling has hosted over 300 foreign heads of state and government leaders, making it a monumental landmark in the history of New China’s diplomacy.”
*Visitor Hub at the Starting Point of the Great Wall.
*Juyong Pass of the Great Wall.
The Most Cultural Exchanges🤹
Since the 1990s, Badaling has frequently hosted cultural exchange events, with 10 to 20 large-scale events taking place annually. Since 1996, Badaling has held over 60 significant cultural activities, including the “Great Wall Peace Initiative,” the “Badaling Great Wall International Cultural and Arts Festival,” the “New Year’s International Mountaineering Festival,”
“The Dragon Dance on the Great Wall,” and “Meeting at the Millennium.” In August 2000, the Badaling Great Wall Scenic Area successfully hosted the “International Symposium on the World’s Human Cultural Heritage of the Great Wall.”
The Most Representative Section of the Great Wall👑
In 1961, the Badaling Great Wall was listed as one of the first key cultural relic protection sites by the State Council. It was also the first section of the Great Wall officially opened to the public and the designated location for receiving foreign dignitaries. In the Badaling scenic area, there is the China Great Wall Museum, whose name was inscribed by former President Jiang Zemin.
In 2000, the China Great Wall Society, the authoritative body on Great Wall research, relocated from Beijing to Badaling. Badaling has become a center for Great Wall research, cultural exchange, and exhibitions. In 1991, the Badaling Great Wall received the “World Cultural Heritage” certificate from UNESCO.
In 2002, Badaling was awarded the Guinness World Record for the “World’s Longest Wall” as the representative of the Great Wall of China. These certificates are preserved in the China Great Wall Museum.