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As one of the popular travel destinations along the silk road, it is the best place where you can experience the connotations of Chinese culture and history.
Introduction of Badaling Great Wall
Badaling Great Wall is the most impressive and the most visited section of the Great Wall of China. Constructed in 1502 during the Ming Dynasty, the Badaling Great Wall once served as an important military fortification. Many leaders from China and around the world, like Richard Nixon, Margaret Thatcher…all visited this section of the wall. In 1987, it was listed as the World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is located in Yanqing County, about 70 kilometres from the downtown area of Beijing.
What to visit in Badaling Great Wall?
Badaling was once an important military strategy point, here the wall is comparatively high and firm. It has a length of 3,741 metres and it is equipped with dense watchtowers. The wall is about 8.5 metres high and slopes inward as it rises in height. The wall is 6.5 metres wide at its base, and its rim spans about 5.7 metres across. The wall's exterior is composed of large granite slabs that surround layers of loess and gravel. Its coping is made of large bricks that provide a smooth walkway, wide enough for ten people to easily walk side by side. A parapet on the coping once provided a defense barrier against assailants. Badaling Great Wall is situated about 10 kilometres further north of Juyongguan Great Wall. They are both sited on the same natural pass through the mountains to the north of Beijing and hence a critical point of defense. Crenellated battlements decorate the parapet's exterior. In the battlement, there are square holes, from which soldiers had an outlook and shot at the enemy. Two-storey castles lie approximately every 400 metres on the wall. The castle's second floor gave soldiers an additional advantage over attackers; the arched cavity below was used to store artillery and also doubled as a simple dormitory for the watchmen. A number of high beacon towers were built so that when the enemies invaded, signals could be sent out to call for reinforcement.
Furthermore, there are three major sections of the Great Wall open to tourists near Beijing: Badaling, Mutianyu and Simatai. All three are built on steep terrain so it's a good idea to wear comfortable shoes and bring water. This advice holds especially true when going to the Simatai section or to the " Wild Wall "sections that haven't been restored.
When is the beat time to visit?
Spring and Autumn are the best seasons for climbing the Great Wall; although autumn in Beijing is relatively short, it is also the most beautiful season of the year in Beijing. Meanwhile, during the national holidays, the city's hotels and sights will be packed. Autumns are dry with strong winds and winters can dip down to 15 degree Celsius. Summers are hot but dry and temperatures average around 30 degree Celsius.
The influence of the Great Wall:
Despite such defensive features, the Great Wall failed in its purpose of keeping out invaders. It was breached several times, notably by the armies of Genghis Khan in 1215 and by Manchu troops in 1644. Conversely, the Great Wall was a tremendous success in forging a sense of nationhood since it marked the physical boundary between China and abroad and the psychological boundary between civilization and chaos. Scaling forbidding landscapes of mountains and deserts, the Great Wall was also a triumph of the emperors will over nature.
The best place to overlook the Great Wall:
In addition to climbing the Great Wall in Guancheng, there are also entrances to the Great Wall on the fourth floor in the south, the 4th floor in the north, the 8th floor in the north and the 11th floor in the north. Among them, the North 8th floor is the highest enemy building of Badaling Great Wall, also known as "Watching Sun Tai". It's more than 1500 metres away from Guancheng, and it's an excellent place to overlook the Great Wall.
Other information of the Great Wall:
The Badaling Great Wall has not served as a military fortification since the Qing Dynasty, and after having been carefully restored in 1957, Badaling Great Wall was the first section of the Great Wall to open to tourists officially. A Great Wall Museum has been established near to the wall. More than 100 million visitors have climbed Badaling Great Wall. A Chinese proverb goes like this: “ One who has never been to the Great Wall is not a real man. ” Badaling Great Wall offers an interesting climb and great views, although it can also be the most crowded. The newly completed Badaling Expressway provides a fast and direct route to Badaling from Beijing. It only takes 65 minutes to Badaling Great Wall from Beijing. Travelers can go to the Badaling Great Wall by taking coach or bus 919 from Deshengmen (a little east of Jishuitan subway station).
Travel tips:
1. The Badaling is situated in a high terrain and is in a tuyere, so travelers should bring some warm clothes.
2. Some parts of the Great Wall have a large slope, so you'd better to wear trainer.
3. Badaling North Track Road has resumed operation, tourists can choose to take a cable car tour
The admission fees:
Peak season: 40 RMB/Person ( 1st April to 31st October )
Off season: 35 RMB/Person ( 1st November to 31st May )
Opening time:
Peak season: 1st April to 31st October ( 6.30 AM to 7.00 PM )
Off season: 1st November to 31st May ( 7.30 AM to 6.00 PM )
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Introduction of Badaling Great Wall
Badaling Great Wall is the most impressive and the most visited section of the Great Wall of China. Constructed in 1502 during the Ming Dynasty, the Badaling Great Wall once served as an important military fortification. Many leaders from China and around the world, like Richard Nixon, Margaret Thatcher…all visited this section of the wall. In 1987, it was listed as the World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is located in Yanqing County, about 70 kilometres from the downtown area of Beijing.
What to visit in Badaling Great Wall?
Badaling was once an important military strategy point, here the wall is comparatively high and firm. It has a length of 3,741 metres and it is equipped with dense watchtowers. The wall is about 8.5 metres high and slopes inward as it rises in height. The wall is 6.5 metres wide at its base, and its rim spans about 5.7 metres across. The wall's exterior is composed of large granite slabs that surround layers of loess and gravel. Its coping is made of large bricks that provide a smooth walkway, wide enough for ten people to easily walk side by side. A parapet on the coping once provided a defense barrier against assailants. Badaling Great Wall is situated about 10 kilometres further north of Juyongguan Great Wall. They are both sited on the same natural pass through the mountains to the north of Beijing and hence a critical point of defense. Crenellated battlements decorate the parapet's exterior. In the battlement, there are square holes, from which soldiers had an outlook and shot at the enemy. Two-storey castles lie approximately every 400 metres on the wall. The castle's second floor gave soldiers an additional advantage over attackers; the arched cavity below was used to store artillery and also doubled as a simple dormitory for the watchmen. A number of high beacon towers were built so that when the enemies invaded, signals could be sent out to call for reinforcement.
Furthermore, there are three major sections of the Great Wall open to tourists near Beijing: Badaling, Mutianyu and Simatai. All three are built on steep terrain so it's a good idea to wear comfortable shoes and bring water. This advice holds especially true when going to the Simatai section or to the " Wild Wall "sections that haven't been restored.
When is the beat time to visit?
Spring and Autumn are the best seasons for climbing the Great Wall; although autumn in Beijing is relatively short, it is also the most beautiful season of the year in Beijing. Meanwhile, during the national holidays, the city's hotels and sights will be packed. Autumns are dry with strong winds and winters can dip down to 15 degree Celsius. Summers are hot but dry and temperatures average around 30 degree Celsius.
The influence of the Great Wall:
Despite such defensive features, the Great Wall failed in its purpose of keeping out invaders. It was breached several times, notably by the armies of Genghis Khan in 1215 and by Manchu troops in 1644. Conversely, the Great Wall was a tremendous success in forging a sense of nationhood since it marked the physical boundary between China and abroad and the psychological boundary between civilization and chaos. Scaling forbidding landscapes of mountains and deserts, the Great Wall was also a triumph of the emperors will over nature.
The best place to overlook the Great Wall:
In addition to climbing the Great Wall in Guancheng, there are also entrances to the Great Wall on the fourth floor in the south, the 4th floor in the north, the 8th floor in the north and the 11th floor in the north. Among them, the North 8th floor is the highest enemy building of Badaling Great Wall, also known as "Watching Sun Tai". It's more than 1500 metres away from Guancheng, and it's an excellent place to overlook the Great Wall.
Other information of the Great Wall:
The Badaling Great Wall has not served as a military fortification since the Qing Dynasty, and after having been carefully restored in 1957, Badaling Great Wall was the first section of the Great Wall to open to tourists officially. A Great Wall Museum has been established near to the wall. More than 100 million visitors have climbed Badaling Great Wall. A Chinese proverb goes like this: “ One who has never been to the Great Wall is not a real man. ” Badaling Great Wall offers an interesting climb and great views, although it can also be the most crowded. The newly completed Badaling Expressway provides a fast and direct route to Badaling from Beijing. It only takes 65 minutes to Badaling Great Wall from Beijing. Travelers can go to the Badaling Great Wall by taking coach or bus 919 from Deshengmen (a little east of Jishuitan subway station).
Travel tips:
1. The Badaling is situated in a high terrain and is in a tuyere, so travelers should bring some warm clothes.
2. Some parts of the Great Wall have a large slope, so you'd better to wear trainer.
3. Badaling North Track Road has resumed operation, tourists can choose to take a cable car tour
The admission fees:
Peak season: 40 RMB/Person ( 1st April to 31st October )
Off season: 35 RMB/Person ( 1st November to 31st May )
Opening time:
Peak season: 1st April to 31st October ( 6.30 AM to 7.00 PM )
Off season: 1st November to 31st May ( 7.30 AM to 6.00 PM )
Related Articles & Posts
Han Great Wall Jiayuguan Pass Mutianyu Great Wall The Great Wall on the Cliff Recommended Silk Road Tours
Silk Road Travel from Beijing to Bishkek 14 Days Silk Road Culture Exploration Tour 9 Days Beijing and Yangtze River Cruise 20 Days Silk Road Culture Diversity Tour 
