The Badaling pass in the Ming wall
Badaling lies in the Jundu mountains in Yanqing district, at the northern entrance of the old Guangou route. The stretch you walk today belongs to the Ming wall. Badaling is one section of the Great Wall, not a name for the whole structure, and that matters for every date on this page.
The pass is dated to 1504 or 1505. Both years refer to the pass, not to the Great Wall as a whole, which grew over many centuries. If you need one number, write "1504 or 1505" and leave it at that.
Most visitors see the pass on a day out from the capital. Our overview of Badaling Great Wall tours from Beijing shows how the trip is usually planned, and the Badaling Great Wall facts page covers length, towers and elevation.
Badaling timeline, from the Ming gate to the museum
Each step with the date as it is usually given.
Ming period: the pass is built
The pass is dated to 1504 or 1505. It sits at the head of the Guangou route in the Jundu mountains and is part of the Ming wall. Further down the same valley lies Juyongguan, a separate pass in Changping district.
Around 1952 and 1953: restoration
Early restoration of the main section between towers N12 and S7 is dated to around 1952. The gate complex and parts of the wall are described as restored and opened to visitors in 1953. These are separate measures.
24 February 1972: the Nixon visit
Richard and Pat Nixon visited the Badaling section on 24 February 1972, and the day is well documented in photographs. On the same day the party went to the Ming tombs and the Spirit Way, which is why the wall and the tombs still pair well in a single plan. See the Ming tombs page.
1987: the UNESCO listing
The Great Wall as a whole was entered on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1987. The listing is a recognition, not a construction date, and it does not refer to Badaling alone.
2013 and 2023: the southern extension
The southern extension beyond tower S7 was secured in 2013 and opened in a limited way in 2023. It runs 1,245 m from S7 to S16½ and keeps its ruined state rather than a full rebuild. Access is limited to small, reserved, organised groups.
The renewed China Great Wall Museum
A renewed China Great Wall Museum stands at the foot of the wall. It covers the history, military use, architecture, economy and culture of the Great Wall. Check admission and opening hours before you plan around it.
Our pick: a private guide
Our take: a private guide explains the wall on the spot.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Great Wall day trips to Badaling
Day trips from Beijing to the Badaling Great Wall, with live prices and availability.
Reading the dates correctly
Which date answers which question.
| Date | What happened | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 1504 or 1505 | The Badaling pass is built | The age of this pass, not of the Great Wall |
| About 1952 | Restoration of the main section, towers N12 to S7 | Why this stretch is intact and walkable |
| 1953 | Gate complex and parts of the wall restored and opened | When the site opened to visitors |
| 24 Feb 1972 | Visit of Richard and Pat Nixon | A dated visit, not a building date |
| 1987 | UNESCO listing of the Great Wall | Recognition of the whole wall |
| 2013 and 2023 | Southern extension secured, then opened in a limited way | S7 to S16½ for small reserved groups only |
For most visitors, the restored main section between towers N12 and S7 is the part of Badaling they will walk. The southern extension is a ruin kept as a ruin and is not a standard route on a normal ticket.
Many famous names are linked with Badaling in popular accounts. This page names only the visit with a dated record.
Beijing has other Ming-era wall sections. For the history of another one, see the history of Mutianyu. If you are choosing between the two, our Badaling or Mutianyu comparison explains the differences on the ground.
Go from history to a visit
Where to look next.
Badaling Great Wall history: frequently asked questions
When was the Badaling Great Wall built?
The pass is dated to 1504 or 1505. Both years refer to the pass in the Ming wall. The Great Wall as a whole was built over a much longer time.
Is the wall at Badaling original?
Parts of it were restored. Work on the main section between towers N12 and S7 is dated to around 1952, and the restored gate complex and wall opened in 1953. The southern extension from S7 to S16½ was secured in 2013 and left as a ruin.
Did Richard Nixon visit Badaling?
Yes. Richard and Pat Nixon visited the Badaling section on 24 February 1972. On the same day the party also visited the Ming tombs and the Spirit Way.
Does the UNESCO listing mean the wall dates from 1987?
No. The Great Wall was entered on the UNESCO list in 1987. That is the year of recognition, not a year of construction, and it refers to the Great Wall as a whole.
Is this the official Badaling website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by the Badaling scenic area, the Beijing government or any tourism authority, and it is not connected to a tour operator or hotel.