Elton John on the Great Wall of China

Elton John on the Great Wall: The 1983 Journey to China

In early June 1983, Sir Elton John embarked on one of the most unusual and historically significant trips of his early career — a journey to China, accompanying the English football club Watford FC, of which he was then president and part-owner. The visit, which coincided with the team’s goodwill tour, became a rare moment of cultural diplomacy at the dawn of China’s opening to Western pop culture.

A Journey with Watford FC

Watford’s 1983 China tour was part of a series of international goodwill matches organized to promote both football and cross-cultural exchange. Elton John, deeply involved in the club’s success and passionate about its international reputation, joined the entourage as a symbolic ambassador.

The tour’s schedule began in Beijing, with a match on 1 June 1983 against the Chinese National Team, which Watford won 3–1. It was during this early stage of the trip — while based in the Chinese capital — that Elton John made his memorable visit to the Great Wall of China.

At the Foot of History: Visiting the Great Wall

The iconic section of the Great Wall near Badaling, roughly 70 kilometers from Beijing, was the backdrop for Elton’s visit. Photographs later circulated showing him dressed in a white blazer, dark sunglasses, and his trademark flair — a striking image of Western pop royalty standing atop one of the world’s oldest landmarks.

Although no official performance took place in China, Elton’s presence symbolized a subtle shift in cultural openness. Just two years later, Wham! would become the first Western pop act to perform officially in China. Elton’s earlier presence, though quiet, helped pave the way for that milestone.

Timeline of the 1983 China Tour

1 June 1983
Watford FC plays the Chinese National Team in Beijing (3–1 victory). Elton John visits tourist sites, including the Great Wall, the Ming Tombs, and the Forbidden City.

3–4 June 1983
Likely leisure and travel days around Beijing.

5 June 1983
Watford faces Shanghai XI (2–1 win).

6 June 1983
UPI publishes the news report “Elton John Plans Visit to the Great Wall of China”, confirming his stay in the country.

7 June 1983
Final friendly match against the Chinese National Team before departure.

A Symbol of Cultural Exchange

Elton John’s short visit to the Great Wall did more than generate an iconic photograph — it marked a moment when Western art, sport, and diplomacy intersected in early-1980s China. His journey aligned with the country’s gradual reopening to the world after decades of isolation.

While the trip received limited media coverage at the time, it has since become a fascinating footnote in both Elton John’s career and the history of Sino-British cultural relations. It stands as a reminder that even without performing, Elton’s presence carried symbolic resonance far beyond the football field.

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References (with links)

United Press International (UPI)
“Elton John Plans Visit to the Great Wall of China” – June 6, 1983
https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/06/06/Elton-John-plans-visit-to-the-Great-Wall-of-China/

Watford FC – Historical background / tours
https://www.watfordfc.com/club/history

OldWatford.com – match reports and archives (June 1983 tour)
https://www.oldwatford.com/
https://www.oldwatford.com/matches/1980s/1983.php

Watford Gold Project – First Tour of China, 1983
https://www.watfordgold.org.uk/features/first-tour-of-china-1983/

Getty Images – Elton John in China, June 1983
https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/elton-john-china-1983

Associated Press (AP) photo archive (search result)
https://apimages.com/search?query=Elton%20John%20China%201983

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