Badaling Great Wall - Ultimate Travel Guide

Have you ever dreamed of an incredible moment climbing on the majestic Great Wall of China? The Badaling Great Wall has been considered the representative section for its well-preserved remains and awe-inspiring views. This time we'll give you a full guide to the Badaling Great Wall so that you can have a basic understanding of this man-made masterpiece and prepare well for your China tour.

Basic Facts About the Badaling Great Wall

Map of Badaling Great Wall

Chinese: 八达岭 Bādálǐng

Overview: The Badaling Great Wall is a significant pass section of Ming-dynasty fortification and is famous for its precipitous and magnificent landscapes.

Location: Yanqing County, about 60 km northwest of central Beijing

Total length: 7.6 kilometers, and only 3.74 kilometers with 16 watchtowers have been restored and opened to visitors.

Time of visit: 3-4 hours

Way of Visit: Hike up, Cable Car, Slide Way, Pulley

Cable Car Service Hours: 5:30-17:30 for aerial; 7:50-16:30 for ground

Main Attractions: Great Wall Museum, Dream Great Wall Fulldome Theater, Bear Garden.

Opening Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 16:30 p.m. (peak season); 7:30 a.m. - 16:00 p.m. (off-season); 19:30 p.m. - 21:30 p.m. (night tour)

Entrance Ticket Price for Badaling: 40 CNY (peak season); 35 CNY (off-season)

How to Get to Badaling From Downtown Beijing

Badaling Great Wall lies in Yanqing District, about 70 kilometers away from north-western downtown Beijing. The attraction is easily accessible by many types of vehicles.

Public Transportation

Private Car

This is a convenient way to get directly to Badaling Great Wall from your accommodation location in the suburbs of Beijing in one and a half hours. For a comfortable car experience, you can choose our China Odyessy team. We will fully arrange for your trip.

Top 4 Things to Do on Badaling

Hiking the Badaling Great Wall

Take a Cable Car Ride to the Summit

Taking a cable car is quite popular among travelers. For those who has a limited level of condition, this is a time- and energy-saving way to go sightseeing. The cable car takes you up to the highest point of Badaling, No. 8 North Tower. The rides offer many different perspectives of the Badaling section, and you get a chance to hold its aerial views.

Slide Down from the Great Wall

Toboggan is one of the most exciting things to have a stab at. At Badaling, there is a direct toboggan way down from No. 4 North Tower. You can control the speed with a handle and decide the riding time by yourself. It is full of fun while you browse the sweeping-past views down and down.

Enjoy the Night View of the Badaling Great Wall

When night falls, some major watchtowers in this section are lit up with beautiful lamps or lanterns, and later all the walls are colored with yellow, blue, and green lights. This offers a resplendent and enchanting sight when you're walking on a well-paved path. Besides, you can enjoy a wonderful light show, Chinese traditional opera, and dancing in the scenic zone.

Admire the Red Leaves Around the Wall

The autumn beauty of the Badaling Great Wall is a must when visiting in October and November. At this time of year, most of the sections turn red, stretching far away. The extensive red trees make an impressive picture with an endless line of old walls. You can soak up such great charm and enjoy photographing.

Hiking Routes in Badaling

It is essential to investigate the hiking trails when trekking up Badaling. There are several options that cater to different preferences and fitness levels. Here are some popular routes you may think about.

Route #1: Exciting Challenge of the Steepest Part in North

Badaling Great Wall Hiking Route #1

Recommendation Level: 4 Stars

Time Required: 3 Hours

Area: North No. 8 Tower - North No. 12 Tower

Take a cable car at Guntiangou Park. This will take you 8 minutes to North No. 8 Watchtower, where you can go on a hike up to North No. 12 Watchtower, and spend some time taking photos at Hao Han Ramp there. The stairs between North No. 9 and North No. 12 Tower are quite steeper. After exploring the furthest part, walk back to the down trail from North No. 11 Tower to Bear Garden, where you can see lively black and brown bears.

Route #2: Classic North Part With Aerial and Ground

Badaling Great Wall Hiking Route #2

Recommendation Level: 4 Stars

Time Required: About 2 hours

Area: North No. 8 Tower - North No. 1 Tower

You still take an aerial cable car at Guntiangou Park and take 8 minutes to North No. 8 Watchtower, where you can start your hike from this highest point down back to North No. 1 Watchtower. You can tick off Hao Han Stone and Hao Han Ramp at North No. 8. If you are really not able to keep up, ride a toboggan at North No. 4 Watchtower down near Bear Garden, and visit the animals.

Route #3: Stunning Fusion of South Route

Badaling Great Wall Hiking Route #3

Recommendation Level: 4 Stars

Time Required: About 3 hours

Area: South No. 1 Tower - South No. 7 Tower - South No. 4 Tower

You will begin to trek from South No. 1 Watchtower, to the highest point of the South No. 4 Tower, and continue your exploration to the No. 7 Watchtower. Don't miss the Hao Han Monument set up at every tower, catch sight of South No. 5 Tower, the tallest building in the south section, and capture its stunning snow views in winter. After exploring South No. 7 Watchtower, go down from there back to South No. 4 Watchtower, where you can ride the cable car down to the departure point.

Route #4: Remarkable Sight of Both the North and South Part at a Time

Badaling Great Wall Hiking Route #4

Recommendation Level: 5 Stars

Time Required: About 4 hours

Area: South No. 4 Tower - South No. 1 Tower - North No. 8 Tower

Still ride a ground cable car in front of Zhantianyou Memorial Hall to South No. 4 Watchtower, from which you can hold an iconic long-winded line of Badaling, and then go on a turning-back hike down to South No. 1 Watchtower, during which you can find the Hao Han Stone. Then continue to climb from the North No. 1 Watchtower until you reach the North No. 8 Watchtower, where you can tick off Hao Han Ramp.

The Best Time to Visit Badaling Great Wall

Summer View of Badaling Great Wall

Badaling Great Wall would be packed with large amounts of Chinese tourists during some major holidays, including Chinese New Year, Labor Day Holiday, and National Day Holiday. It is also recommended to avoid visits during students' summer vacations (July - August) and weekends.

The best times to visit Badaling are March to May and September to November. Enjoy favorable weather that is neither too cold nor too hot and be fascinated by the surrounding natural scenery.

From March to May, you can see a refreshing view of green plants around the roads. During the autumn season (September-November), the wall would be decorated with red leaves all over the hills.

Specifically, however, for those who are looking to experience winter scenery on the Wall, December - February is an excellent time to do so. You can enjoy a quieter visit with fewer crowds and capture a breathtaking outline of the snow-covered walls.

Why Visit Badaling Great Wall

As one of the most imposing sections of the Chinese landmark, Badaling Great Wall is popular for several reasons:

Easy Accessibility

Badaling can be accessed easily from downtown Beijing (about 70 kilometers northwest of the downtown). It can be reached within a couple of vehicles.

Excellent State of Preservation

Badaling is one of the best-preserved sections of the Great Wall, which was completed in 1505 and reinforced during the Ming Dynasty. The section was restored as early as the 1950s.

Stunning for Hiking and Photography

Many tourists are inspired by the famous line 'not arrive Great Wall, not good man' and ascend the Badaling Great Wall to reach the highest point of this section. The wall was built on the line of the ridge, making it an awesome attraction for hiking. Badaling has both natural and cultural landscapes for visitors to capture, with its panoramic views varying in different seasons.

Complete Facilities

Due to its great popularity, the Badaling Great Wall has well-developed tourism facilities such as cable cars, ropeways, and wheelchair passages for easier access to scenic spots. Besides, the area is equipped with a range of amenities like museums, cinemas, shops, and restaurants for entertainment.

Scenery of the Badaling Great Wall

Tips for Traveling to Badaling

Badaling Great Wall is located in a mountainous area with a relatively steep landform, so it is advisable to wear comfortable sneakers or climbing shoes.

You will be in the open air for several hours while ascending or descending, so remember to pack some breathable, sun-protective clothes and sunscreen.

Follow close to the line of the scenic spot without scribbling and throwing litter about.

During the holidays and peak season, Badaling Great Wall will be highly crowded. Try to avoid visiting during peak season or make a reservation for accommodation, tickets, and vehicles as early as possible.

Plan Your Trip to the Great Wall

The Badaling section has become a top option to appreciate the iconic magnificence of the Great Wall. History, nature, relics, and various stories are integral scrolls to the amazement of the Badaling Great Wall. Following the full guide we have prepared for you, just plan your Great Wall trip to fulfill such a big surprise.

To enjoy a convenient journey based on what you like and require, just contact us by sending an inquiry or emailing us at trip@odynovotours.com.