The Great Wall of China is a world-famous UNESCO World Heritage structure that once served as the barricade of the North, now acts as a tourist attraction for millions of visitors every year, many of whom (or is it just me?) are inspired to visit based on its connection to Disney.
A portion of this 13,000-mile-long wall can be seen as one of the featured locations in Soarin’ Around the World (Disney California Adventure), Soarin’ Around the World (Epcot), Soaring Over the Horizon and Soaring: Fantastic Flight. I can’t help but think of a certain song every time I see this scene.
The portion of the wall seen is near the city of Miyun, outside of northeast Beijing. It’s the same filming location that was used in the Wonders of China attraction shown in Epcot’s China Pavilion from 1982 to 2003 and Disneyland from 1984 to1996. Today, Epcot’s China Pavilion shows the updated(ish) Circle-Vision film, Reflections of China, which now features the Great Wall as the bookends of the attraction where we both meet and say 再见 (goodbye) to our host, Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai. Watch the below video or take a listen to this song, it’ll make you feel like you’re in Epcot right now!
Another great way to experience the Great Wall of China is by watching the 1998 Disney animated feature film Mulan. The wall plays a prominent character in the story and the movie features one of my personal favorite inspirational quotes:
“A single grain of rice can tip the scale. One man may be the difference between victory and defeat.”
– The Emperor, MulanThe Great Wall of China as seen in Mulan. Image ©Disney
Address: Miyun, China
Visitor Information: Ministry of Culture and Tourism, P.R. China
Address
Our Address:
Miyun, Great Wall of China, China
