From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Badaling (Simplified Chinese: 八达岭; Traditional Chinese: 八達嶺; Pinyin: Bādálǐng) is the site of the most visited section of the Great Wall of China, approximately 50 miles northwest of Beijing city within the Beijing municipality. The portion of the wall running through the site was built during the Ming Dynasty, along with a military outpost reflecting the location's strategic importance.

The portion of the wall at Badaling has undergone heavy restoration, and in 1957 it was the first section of the wall to open to tourists. Now visited annually by millions, the immediate area has seen significant development, including hotels, restaurants, and a cable car. The recently completed Badaling Expressway connects Badaling with Beijing city.

It was here that President Richard Nixon and his wife, accompanied by Vice Premier Lǐ Xiānniàn, visited on February 24, 1972, during his historic journey to China.

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