★ Famous visitDraft

Presidents on the Wall: Nixon (1972) and Obama (2009)

八达岭长城

“This is a great wall,” said Richard Nixon at Badaling in 1972. Barack Obama walked the same section in 2009.

During his landmark 1972 visit to China, Richard Nixon toured the Great Wall at Badaling and famously remarked, “This is a great wall.”

Badaling has been the standard stop for visiting leaders ever since; Barack Obama walked it during his 2009 state visit.

That history is exactly why Badaling is so crowded today — see our honest take on the section itself.

At Badaling Great Wall — tickets, booking and local tips →

Draft — verification pending↗ Share