The Governor-General of Saint Lucia, Pearlette Louisy, became the 400th state leader to visit the Great Wall at Badaling, the best renovated section of the Great Wall.

Pearlette Louisy described the Great Wall as "awe-inspiring and breathtaking! I will always cherish this visit to the Great Wall,a symbol of peace, harmony and international good will?

Over the past 50 years, more than 120 million travelers have visited the landmark at Badaling.

Located at Yanqing County, about 70 kilometres northwest of downtown Beijing, Badaling was part of a rare, ancient military defence project. At an elevation of 1,000 meters, the wall at Badaling stretches 3,741 metres, at an average height of eight metres, the highest section being 15 metres high. The total area covers 19,000 square meters. Five horses can be ridden abreast at it's azimuth.

In 1961, the State Council concluded that Badaling was to be protected as part of China's national cultural relics. This was confirmed in 1987 when UNESCO declared the area a 'World Cultural Heritage?site.

The Great Wall at Badaling was the earliest section to be open to tourists.

Near Badaling are Great Wall of China Museum and Great Wall National Theatre, from where a full and complete view of the Badaling Great Wall can be found.

Admission: 45 yuan (US$5.5).

Opening time: 6:40 am to 6:30 pm.

It takes two hours to climb on the highest tower of the section and return on foot.

Getting there: take bus 919 from Deshengmen or drive north along Badaling Highway.

Tourist Bus Route: Take No. 1 at Qianmen , bus route No. 2 at Beijing Railway Station; Lateral No. 2, at the west gate of Beijing History Museum; No. 4 at Xizhimen or Beijing Zoo.

For more information, call (010) 69121017

(Beijing Weekend September 10, 2004)