The Great Wall attracts foreigners
The Jinshanling section of the Great Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Hebei Province, northern China, has attracted a large number of foreign tourists since July. When an ancient wall built to protect an empire from external threats today opens its gates to the world, and its stone steps become a meeting point for cultures and continents, history breathes anew. Jinshanling is not just a well‑preserved section of the Great Wall – it is a living testament to how past and present can coexist in harmony. This summer, tourists from Europe, Asia and the Americas are coming here to see the green mountain ridges wrapped in the grey stone ribbon built more than six centuries ago. And everyone who steps onto its ancient stones feels not only the grandeur of Chinese civilisation but also that universal human longing for beauty and history, which knows no borders.
Located in Luanping County, Chengde City, the 10.5‑kilometre Jinshanling section of the Great Wall was originally built during the Ming Dynasty (1368‑1644). Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987, it is considered one of the best‑preserved and most architecturally diverse sections of the Ming Great Wall. This summer, the ancient fortifications snaking across green mountain ridges are attracting tourists from around the world. Many of them are European travellers who have made long journeys to see one of China's most iconic landmarks. "I've long dreamed of visiting the famous Great Wall at Jinshanling. Finally, I got the chance to see it in person. It is truly a breathtaking and magnificent sight. Worthy of its world‑class heritage status, this place is definitely worth a visit. When I return home, I will recommend more people to come to China and visit the Jinshanling Great Wall. It really is a sight not to be missed," said a Dutch tourist. "It was truly amazing, and I was very impressed to see such beauty. I think it's one of the best memories of all my travels. So yes, it was really impressive," said a French tourist. To meet the needs of foreign hiking enthusiasts, the Jinshanling scenic area extended its opening hours and introduced special sunrise and sunset viewing programmes this summer. In July alone, the total number of tourist trips to this scenic spot increased by 13.5% year‑on‑year, while visits by foreign tourists rose by nearly 72%. By the end of the month, the site had received more than 30,000 foreign visitors this year.
Located just an hour from Beijing by high‑speed train, Chengde has become one of the leading destinations for inbound tourism in recent years, thanks to its unique combination of cultural heritage, scenic landscapes and steadily improving tourist infrastructure. Jinshanling's popularity among foreigners stems not only from its historical value but also from the fact that this section of the wall is less crowded than more famous sections such as Badaling, allowing visitors to enjoy an authentic atmosphere and panoramic views. Local authorities are actively promoting cultural tourism by creating multilingual information boards, training guides in foreign languages and offering interactive programmes, including calligraphy workshops and traditional tea ceremonies. In July, in addition to the rise in foreign guests, overall tourist traffic grew by 13.5%, reflecting the sector's recovery after the pandemic and growing interest in China's cultural heritage.
As CCTV+ reports, Jinshanling is becoming not just a tourist attraction but a living symbol of China's openness, where every foreign visitor can touch thousand‑year‑old history and feel part of a global cultural dialogue.
