The Great Wall is an immortal monument forged with perseverance and wisdom, winding through the towering mountains like a grand epic painting. When your eyes meet the majestic walls, a sense of awe arises in your heart. It carries countless stories of joy and sorrow, witnessing the passage of time and leaving a deep impression on all who see it. Let’s meet this summer and walk into the Great Wall to appreciate its grandeur and beauty.
Badaling Great Wall
Badaling Great Wall is located at the northern entrance of the ancient Jundu Mountain Pass in Yanqing District, Beijing. Known as one of the Nine Fortresses of the World, it is an important outpost of the Juyongguan Pass and the best-preserved and most representative section of the Ming Great Wall.
When you witness the Badaling Great Wall in person, you will be amazed by its grandeur. It winds through the mountains like a giant dragon, stretching as far as the eye can see. The sturdy walls and towering watchtowers seem to tell the stories of ancient glory and vicissitudes.
Badaling Great Wall has a long history and rich legends. Stories like “Meng Jiangnv Weeping Over the Great Wall,” where Meng Jiangnv’s tears brought down the wall as she searched for her husband, and “Beacon Fire Play,” where King You of Zhou lit the beacons to amuse his concubine, leading to the downfall of his kingdom, add a mysterious charm to the Great Wall.
Climbing the Great Wall, every brick underfoot carries the weight of history. Can you imagine how countless craftsmen and soldiers used their sweat and wisdom to build this great defensive structure? Walking along it, the breeze brings not only a cool sensation but also a sense of traversing through millennia.
The scenery around Badaling Great Wall is breathtaking. The lush forests add vitality and tenderness to the Great Wall. The undulating mountains in the distance complement the wall, creating a beautiful painting. When the sunlight shines on the wall, the golden light sparkles, making it seem as if time has stood still.
Here, you can take photos and capture precious moments with the Great Wall. You can also calm your mind and feel the pulse of history, allowing your soul to be cleansed.
With the arrival of summer, Badaling Great Wall welcomes the peak tourist season. The night view mode adds even more excitement for visitors. When night falls and the lights come on, the endless Badaling Great Wall looks like a magnificent golden dragon, illuminating the entire mountain range.
Address: Northern entrance of the ancient Jundu Mountain Pass, Yanqing District, Beijing
Mutianyu Great Wall
Mutianyu Great Wall, located in Huairou District, is one of the finest sections of the Ming Great Wall, known for its beauty and elegance. The main gate tower, composed of three enemy towers, along with the Great Corner Tower, double-sided crenellations, horse tracks, and drainage ditches, are unique architectural designs. The three-dimensional sense of the Mutianyu Great Wall and the coexistence of inner and outer walls reflect the highest artistic achievements of Ming Great Wall construction. The spectacular views of Ox Horn Edge, Eagle Flies Facing Upward, and Beijing Knot are unparalleled.
Climbing the Great Wall, the undulating walls follow the mountain’s contours, and the grandeur makes one marvel at the wisdom and courage of the ancients. Touching the ancient bricks, you can feel the pulse of history and the efforts and sacrifices made by the ancestors to defend their homeland.
Mutianyu Great Wall also attracts many international visitors. People of different skin colors and languages gather here to appreciate the charm of this ancient structure, making Mutianyu Great Wall a bridge for cultural exchange. When the sun sets, the golden afterglow on the Great Wall creates a mesmerizing scene, leaving unforgettable memories for every visitor.
The facilities in the scenic area are also very well-developed, with cable cars available to help those who may not have the physical strength to easily reach the Great Wall. There are also many local farmhouse restaurants nearby where you can enjoy authentic cuisine after your visit.
With the arrival of summer, the long-awaited night tour of the Great Wall has returned! Follow the official WeChat account of “Mutianyu Great Wall（慕田峪长城）” and click “Night Ticket Booking（夜场票预订）” to make a reservation, or visit the official website of Mutianyu Great Wall Scenic Area to book tickets in advance.
Address: Mutianyu Village, Bohai Town, Huairou District, Beijing
Juyongguan Great Wall
Juyongguan Great Wall is located about 50 kilometers northwest of Beijing and is one of the most famous passes of the Great Wall. Due to its strategic terrain, it was historically known as the “First Impregnable Pass Under Heaven.” The existing site is a Ming Dynasty structure, spanning about 13 kilometers between Cuiping and Jingui mountains. In addition to the southern and northern barbicans, gate towers, watchtowers, and water gates, which form a complete and tight military defense system, there is also the Yuan Dynasty-built Cloud Platform (Yuntai) within the pass. The platform features exquisite stone carvings of the Four Heavenly Kings, Ten Directional Buddhas, and scriptures in six different languages, making it an important reference for studying Yuan Dynasty religion and cultural exchanges among various ethnic groups. It is a fine example of Yuan Dynasty stone carving art.
As a famous ancient pass city along the northern Great Wall of Beijing, Juyongguan Great Wall has a rich historical and cultural heritage. It was initially built during the Qin Dynasty and underwent multiple repairs and expansions over various dynasties, witnessing countless wars and periods of peace. In ancient times, Juyongguan Great Wall was a crucial barrier for defending the capital, bearing the significant responsibility of protecting the nation.
When you climb the Great Wall, you will be instantly struck by its grandeur and magnificence. The winding wall follows the mountain’s contours, resembling a giant dragon coiled among the mountains. Each brick seems to tell a story of history, making one marvel at the wisdom and resilience of the ancients.
It is important to note that the Great Wall is not just a military defense project but also a symbol of the great spirit of the Chinese nation. It embodies the sweat and wisdom of countless laborers, fully reflecting the spirit of perseverance and teamwork. Walking along the Great Wall, feeling the breeze on your face, and looking at the distant mountains and the wall beneath your feet, you will feel an indescribable sense of emotion and pride.
It is worth mentioning that the “Great Wall Wonderful Night Music Summer” event, hosted by the Changping Cultural and Tourism Group, has been launched at the Juyongguan Great Wall Scenic Area. This event combines tourism, shopping, food, entertainment, and music festivities, inviting citizens and tourists to experience a new way of night touring at Juyongguan this summer. The event will continue until the end of August.
Address: Juyongguan Village, Nankou Town, Changping District, Beijing
Huanghuacheng Lakeside Great Wall
Huanghuacheng Lakeside Great Wall is located in Jiuduhe Town, Huairou District, Beijing. It is named for the three sections of the Great Wall that extend into the water, making it the only section of the Great Wall in Beijing that is connected to water. Known for its uniqueness and beauty, it is a tourist and leisure destination that integrates green mountains, clear waters, the ancient Great Wall, and old trees. The “Four Wonders” of the Lakeside Great Wall are particularly captivating and awe-inspiring: the Great Wall winding around the lake, the dragon exploring the water bay, the ancient chestnut garden, and the cliffside water pool. The scenic area features clear mountains and waters, and the Great Wall is majestic and spectacular. It combines the elegance of the water towns of Jiangnan with the grandeur of the northern frontier, earning the reputation of “Northern Scenery, Southern Charm, All in the Lakeside Great Wall.”
The lake area of the scenic spot is open and bright, while the mountainous area is winding and secluded, forming a unique feature of natural integration and separation. Within the area, the Great Wall, ancient paths, passes, and watchtowers stand tall; streams, waterfalls, springs, and pools are connected; and there are numerous peaks, cliffs, gorges, and strange rocks. The section of the Great Wall in the scenic area is not long, shorter than Badaling, Simatai, and Mutianyu, but it retains a part of the original Great Wall, untouched by modern restoration, allowing visitors to experience the ancient relics that have endured for 600 years up close.
Climbing the Huanghuacheng Great Wall, you can not only feel its grandeur but also enjoy a sense of tranquility and mystery. There are relatively fewer tourists here, without the bustling crowds, allowing you to calm down and savor the charm of the Great Wall and listen to the voices of history. The ancient watchtowers reach into the clouds, a clear water embrace the city walls; the ancient chestnut trees have deep roots and lush branches, creating a picturesque scene of water and mountains.
Address: Xishuiyu, Jiuduhe Town, Huairou District, Beijing
