Great Wall of China museum reopens on 24 October

The Great Wall of China (Badaling section) gained a renewed cultural venue in Beijing when the China Great Wall Museum reopened to the public on 24 October 2026. The museum stands at the foot of the wall and links the visitor experience to exhibits on its history, culture and protection.

China Great Wall Museum reopens at Badaling

The museum held its opening ceremony on 23 October and began public access on 24 October 2026 after an extensive renovation and upgrade. The reopening is the key change for visitors at this section of the Great Wall, because the building had been closed since April 2022.

The permanent exhibition contains more than 700 artefacts and sets from 24 museums across China. Its displays examine the history, culture and spirit of the wall, while the building also contains collection, conservation, education, research and service areas. The confirmed reopening date is recorded by Xinhua's opening report.

During trial operation, the museum uses a no-reservation system and limits daily attendance to 4,000 people, according to the museum information reported by China Daily. General admission is free during this trial period, subject to the stated visitor cap.

The museum places Badaling history in view

The China Great Wall Museum first opened in 1994 and was closed for renovation in April 2022. Construction on the upgrade began in December 2023 and was completed in June 2026, giving the reopening a direct link to the wall's recent presentation and conservation story.

The renovated building has about 16,000 square metres of floor space. Its main exhibition brings together objects from 24 museums, while the second floor provides views towards the Badaling section, so the physical wall forms part of the museum visit rather than a separate backdrop.

The building's height was reduced from 16 metres to 9 metres, with a design based on city walls, passes and mountain ridges. This change connects the reopening to the setting itself: the museum is intended to sit within the hillside and vegetation beside one of the best-known sections of the wall. Further details on the renovation and displays appear in China Daily's museum report.

Badaling connects a renewed museum with the wall

The Great Wall was built over about 2,000 years, with construction continuing from the Spring and Autumn Period to the Ming Dynasty. The surviving sections extend for more than 21,196 kilometres across 15 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, and UNESCO listed the monument as a World Heritage Site in 1987.

At Badaling, the reopening therefore adds a documentary layer to a physical heritage site. Visitors can encounter objects linked to the wall's construction and history before viewing the surviving fortifications outside, while the museum's permanent display broadens the story beyond one section in Beijing.

Visiting Great Wall of China: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• The China Great Wall Museum reopened to the public at the foot of the Badaling section in Beijing on 24 October 2026.
• The renovated museum is in trial operation with no reservation required, free admission and a daily visitor limit of 4,000, according to the museum information reported by China Daily.
• The permanent exhibition includes more than 700 artefacts and sets from 24 museums across China, alongside views towards Badaling.
• The Great Wall route includes exposed mountain terrain, steps and uneven surfaces, so visitors should plan for a physically demanding heritage site.
• China's official language is Mandarin Chinese and its national currency is the renminbi.
• Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.

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Frequently asked questions about Great Wall of China

When did the China Great Wall Museum reopen?

The museum reopened to the public on 24 October 2026 at the foot of the Badaling section in Beijing.

What does the renewed museum show?

Its permanent exhibition presents more than 700 artefacts and sets from 24 museums, covering the wall's history, culture and spirit.

Where is the Great Wall of China and how do visitors reach it?

The article's current reopening concerns the Badaling section in Beijing, where the museum stands at the foot of the wall.