Great Wall at Badaling

Few bucket lists are complete without a walk along the Great Wall of China, famously one of the New 7 Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988, and undoubtedly the most visited section is the Great Wall at Badaling. Often visited on a day trip from Beijing, Badaling was the first part of the wall to open to tourists back in 1958 and now draws up to 10 million annual visitors. 
Built in 1502 during the Ming Dynasty, the wall at Badaling runs for 2.3 miles around the Jundu mountain, reaching an altitude of over 1,000 meters and spanning almost 6 meters at its widest point – wide enough for 5 horses to gallop abreast. The popularity of Badaling means that it is often overrun with tour groups, but there are still many good reasons to visit - not only is Badaling the most thoroughly restored section of the wall and offers magnificent views, but it’s the most accessible, with a cable car and pulley train available for those who don’t want to walk to the top. Access to the on-site Great Wall Museum and Great Wall Circle Vision Theater is also included in the entrance fee. 

Practical Info

The Great Wall at Badaling is part of the eastern section of the Great Wall of China, around 70km north of Beijing. The Great Wall is open from 6.30am to 7pm in summer, 7am-6pm in winter, and admission is CNY 45, with additional charges for the pulley train and cable car.