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Badaling Great Wall

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Badaling Great Wall Tickets

Badaling Great Wall

Badaling Great Wall Tickets
 Starting from April 30th, 2025, the Badaling Great Wall Night Tour will be open until October 7th. The lighting display will illuminate the wall from 19:00 to 22:00, with the night cable car operating concurrently throughout the tour period.

Badaling, famed as the most representative section of the Great Wall of China, not only is the best-preserved and most visited part but also was the initial section to be restored and developed into a tourist attraction. It has allured millions of tourists and even caught the eyes of world leaders.
 

Why visit Badaling rather than others

 It is the most popular section.

 It is the best-preserved and most complete section.

 Compared with other sections, most stairs are not very steep and they are equipped with handrails, so it is a relatively easier climb.

 This section has been equipped with cable cars and pulleys to save energy, and it even has some facilities to make it easier for seniors and the disabled.

 It is close to downtown Beijing, about 43 miles (70 kilometers) away, and easy to reach by public transportation.

Badaling Great Wall
 

Basic Facts about Badaling Great Wall

 Most of the preserved parts were built and reinforced during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644 AD) to defend Beijing against the intrusion of northern Mongolians.

 The total length of this section is 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) with 43 watchtowers, however, only 3.74 kilometers (2.3 miles) and 19 watchtowers have been restored and opened to visitors.

 In this section the wall averages about 7.8 meters (26 feet) tall, and 6 meters (20 feet) wide, which would allow five horses to gallop or ten soldiers to march abreast.

 It is built of huge bar-stones and bricks. The interior of the wall was stuffed with rammed earth and small stones to make it firm and solid.

 A number of holes have been drilled in the wall to shoot arrows and to watch enemies.

 The watchtowers were built to accommodate soldiers, send messages, observe the enemy, and store supplies. It also has shooting and observing holes.

 It witnessed many significant events in history: Yuan Taizu, the first emperor of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368 AD) conquered it, took control over Beijing, then the whole of China, and began the Yuan Dynasty; Empress Dowager Cixi of the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911 AD) fled from there to western China in 1900 when an alliance of eight western countries controlled Beijing.

 It has drawn tens of millions of tourists both from home and abroad. More than 540 foreign leaders and celebrities have visited it, including former US presidents Nixon, Obama, Queen Elizabeth II of UK, former South Africa president Mandela, and Russian president Vladimir Putin.
 

Must-See Attractions in Badaling

Hero Slope
Hero Slope

1. Hero Slope

Hero Slope, situated between the No. 7 North Tower and the No. 8 North Tower and being the highest point of the Badaling Great Wall, features the steepest and most challenging section. With an incline exceeding 60 degrees at its steepest part, it requires climbers to use both hands and feet. Reaching Hero Slope is regarded by many as a symbol of conquering this particular part of the Badaling Great Wall.
 

2. Hero Monument

The Hero Monument, inscribed with the renowned phrase “The man who does not reach the Great Wall is not a true man”, is among the signature attractions of the Badaling Great Wall. Located in several spots across the scenic area, including No. 4 North Tower, No. 2 South Tower, and No. 4 South Tower, it is highly recommended that visitors take a photo in front of the monument to mark their memorable experience of scaling the Badaling Great Wall.
 

3. Ancient Cannons

Five iron cannons are displayed along the horse road near the entrance of the fort, the largest of which is 2.85 meters (9.35 feet) long, with a caliber of 105 millimeters (4.13 inches) and a range of over 1,000 meters (3,300 feet). These ancient cannons vividly depict the military history and defensive capabilities of the Ming Great Wall.
Ancient Cannons
Ancient Cannons
Cultural relic in the China Great Wall Museum
Cultural relic in the China Great Wall Museum
The China Great Wall Museum showcases artifacts, specimens, and relics unearthed along the Great Wall across China, accompanied by charts, photos, human landscapes, and models, and employs multimedia means such as touch screens and projectors to provide a comprehensive presentation of the Great Wall.
 

5. Night Tour of Badaling Great Wall

From April 30th to October 7th every year, Badaling Great Wall offers night tours. The open area includes the pedestrian street and the section of the Great Wall between the No. 4 North Tower and the No. 4 South Tower. As evening falls, the Great Wall transforms into a glistening golden dragon coiled along the mountain ridges, brought to life by a stunning lighting spectacle. During the night tour, the scenic area presents a series of performances, including classical dance, ethnic music, and drama performances. Tourists can interact with the actors on site and experience immersive viewing. 
 

How to tour Badaling Great Wall - Hiking Tour

Badaling Great Wall Map
Badaling Great Wall Map
The Badaling Great Wall is bifurcated into the south and north sections. The north section represents the quintessence of the Badaling Great Wall, housing 12 watchtowers and numerous attractions such as the renowned “Hero Slope” and the highest watchtower - No. 8 North Tower. The terrain here is steeper and is furnished with an aerial cable car and pulley that can transport visitors to the No. 7 North Tower and No. 4 North Tower respectively. In contrast, the south section is shorter, consisting of 7 watchtowers. It features a relatively mild terrain and is equipped with a ground cable car that can convey passengers to the No. 4 South Tower.
 
There are several ways to visit the Badaling Great Wall, including hiking, taking the cable car on the north side, or the ground cable car or pulley on the south side. The terrain of the Badaling Great Wall is generally relatively flat, facilitating climbing for the majority of visitors. Nevertheless, due to the substantial number of tourists, the waiting time for the cable car might be rather long. Hence, hiking is recommended as the preferred mode of exploration. Here are two recommended hiking routes:
 

1. North Section Hiking Route: Magnificent but Crowded

No. 1 North Tower → 2.5 - 3 hours of hiking to No. 12 North Tower → Return to the No. 11 North Tower (take the fast walking path) → Bear Park
Watchtowers 1 to 7: relatively flat, easier to traverse
Watchtowers 7 to 8: Hero's Slope, very steep
Watchtower 8: the highest point of the Badaling Great Wall
Watchtowers 9 to 12: extremely steep, need a lot of physical strength and courage to hike
 
The north section of the Badaling Great Wall is characterized by its relatively long length and steep terrain. Thus, it is more suitable for tourists possessing good physical strength and having the desire to experience the grandeur and precipitousness of the Great Wall. 
 
Once you reach the No. 11 North Tower, you have two options: either directly descend the Great Wall along the fast walking path or first explore the farthest No. 12 North Tower and then return to No. 11 North Tower before going down the Great Wall. This fast walking path leads to the Bear Park. If time permits, it is worth paying a visit.
Have Fun at Badaling

2. South Section Hiking Route: Less Crowded

No. 1 South Tower → 1 - 2 hours hiking to No. 7 South Tower → Go down the Great Wall via the fast hiking trail 
 
The south route of the Badaling Great Wall is shorter and its terrain is relatively gentle all along the way, which means it demands less effort for a visit. Also, it has fewer tourists compared to the north, making it more suitable for tourists who prefer a quiet and leisurely tour, especially families with the elderly and children.
 

More touring routes:

When tourist numbers are relatively low, the cable car queue time may be approximately one hour, providing an opportunity to choose a cable car tour. The following are several recommended routes:
 
1. The most popular route: Ascend via the aerial cable car to the No. 7 North Tower. Upon completing the tour, make your way back to the No. 7 North Tower and descend using the aerial cable car.
2. The easiest route: Utilize the ground cable car to reach the No. 4 South Tower. After the tour concludes, return to the No. 4 South Tower and take the ground cable car for the return journey.
3. The route with the richest variety of attractions: Commence the tour by taking the aerial cable car to the No. 7 North Tower. Proceed with the exploration until reaching the No. 4 South Tower and then conclude the trip by taking the ground cable car down.
Badaling Cable Cars
Cable Cars
Badaling Pulleys
Pulleys

Opening Hours

Day Time:

Entry time: Apr. 1 to Oct.31: 6:30 - 17:00, last admission at 16:30; 
Nov.1 to Mar.31: 7:30 - 17:00, last admission at 16:00.
Aerial Cable Car: 7:30 - 16:00, stop selling round trip tickets at 13:00.
Ground Cable Car: 8:50 - 16:00, stop selling round trip tickets at 13:00.
Pulley: The operation time depends on the passenger flow.
 

Night Time:

Entry time: Apr. 30th to Oct. 7th: 18:30 - 22:00, last admission at 21:00.
Cable Car: 17:30 - 19:30
Lighting time: 19:00 - 22:00
 

Tickets

Day Tour:

Tickets High Season 
(Apr. 1 to Oct.31)		 Low Season 
(Nov.1 to Mar.31)
Entrance ticket CNY40 CNY35
Entrance ticket + Cable car (single trip) CNY140 CNY135
Entrance ticket + Cable car (round trip) CNY180 CNY175
Entrance ticket + Pulley (single trip) CNY120 CNY115
Entrance ticket + Pulley (round trip) CNY160 CNY155
Notes: 
1. The minors under 18 and seniors over 60 are free of charge.
2. Children under 1.2m (3.9ft) can take the cable car for free.
 

Night Tour:

Tickets Weekdays Weekends and Holidays
Entrance ticket CNY 198 CNY 298
Entrance ticket + Cable car CNY 298 CNY 398
Notes: 
1. Only upward cable car service is available during the night tour.
2. Children under 1.2m (3.9ft) are free of charge for the night tour.
 

How to Buy the Tickets

The Badaling Great Wall permits a maximum of 65,000 visitors daily, with online bookings opening 15 days ahead of time. Visitors can purchase tickets online either through the official ticketing system or the Badaling Great Wall's official WeChat account. It should be noted that currently, the online ticket payment only supports WeChat Pay. Given the popularity of the Badaling Great Wall and the limited number of daily visitors, it is recommended that you book tickets in advance via a third-party travel agency as early as you can to ensure your itinerary remains unaffected.

Badaling Great Wall Tickets Booking
 

When is the best time for a visit?

The best times are April, May, September, or October, when it is neither too cold nor too hot, and the surrounding natural scenery is amazing. Usually from mid-October to late October, the Great Wall is decorated by red leaves; while in the other time, it is surrounded by luxurious green plants. However, you should avoid the May Day holiday (May 1st - 5th), the National Day holiday (October 1st-7th) and the Chinese New Year, when the site will be overrun with tourists.

 See more Badaling Weather

Recommended Tours

1 Day Private Badaling Great Wall Hiking
2 Days Beijing Mini Group Tour from $169
Beijing Mini Group Day Tour from $85
8 Days Beijing - Xi'an - Shanghai

How to get to Badaling Great Wall from downtown Beijing

 

Best and Fastest Way: High Speed Train

Route Beijing North Railway Station -Badaling Great Wall Railway Station Qinghe Railway Station - Badaling Great Wall Railway Station
Duration 30 - 60 min 20 - 30 min
Price CNY 23 - 31 CNY 16 - 25
Departure hours 06:10 - 17:27 06:43 - 20:37
Number of departures per day 6 18

 See detailed Beijing - Badaling High Speed Train
 
Bullet Train to Badaling Great Wall
Badaling Great Wall Railway Station
Escalator at Badaling Great Wall Railway Station
The Escalator at Badaling Great Wall Station
 

Interval Bus 877:  Beitucheng Bus Station ⇔ Badaling Great Wall

Single Journey Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Interval: 10 - 20 minutes
Price: CNY 12
Departure Time:
From Beitucheng:  06:30 - 12:00
From Badaling: 11:00 - 16:00

Another option is to take Bus No. 877 from Deshengmen Bus Station, but it has too few departures, with buses leaving at 06:30, 08:00, 09:30, 11:00 and 12:30 every day. Therefore, it is not recommended.
 

 Direct Tourist Bus: Qianmen ⇔ Badaling Great Wall

Single Journey Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Interval: 10 - 30 minutes
Price: CNY 80 for a round trip
Departure Time:
 From Qianmen: 07:30 - 11:00
 From Badaling: 13:00 - 16:00
 

S2 Normal Speed Train: Huangtudian Railway Station ⇔ Badaling Railway Station

Single Journey Time: 1.5 hours
Price: CNY 7
Departure Time:
From Huangtudian Railway Station: 8:40, 13:08, and 18:16 between Tuesday and Thursday; 7:05, 8:40, 10:00, 11:15, 13:08, 14:54, and 18:16 between Friday and Monday;
From Badaling Railway Station: 11:30, and 16:35 between Tuesday and Thursday; 9:20, 11:30, 13:22, 13:53, 16:35, and 18:15 between Friday and Monday.
 See more How to Get to Beijing Great Wall: Train vs. Bus

Badaling Railway Station
Badaling Railway Station
S2 Train to Badaling
S2 Train to Badaling
 

Last Option Bus 919: Deshengmen Bus Station ⇔ Badaling

Bus 919 is usually crowded and has many stops on the way. The duration is 2.5 hours and ticket fare is CNY 13, respectively. In addition, the drop-off site is 1.6 km (1.0 mi) from the entrance and you need to walk or take the free shuttle bus to get there.
See more How to Get to the Badaling Great Wall
 

Badaling Great Wall Shuttle Bus

Departure Time: 6:30 - 17:00
Route: Changcheng Tiandi Station (Chaxi Parking Lot) → South Great Wall Ground Cable Car Station → North Great Wall Aerial Cable Car Station/Entrance of the Great Wall (Guntiangou Parking Lot)
Journey Time: 8 minutes
Price: Free

Changcheng Tiandi Station
Changcheng Tiandi Station
Badaling Shuttle Bus
Badaling Shuttle Bus
 

Back Mountain and Front Mountain of Badaling

The Badaling Scenic Area is divided into the back mountain and the front mountain, which refer to the inner and outer sides of the Great Wall respectively. These two areas differ in terms of transportation methods and tourist facilities.
 

Back Mountain - Inner Side

Tourist Facilities: The Aerial Cable Car Station, Ground Cable Car station, China Great Wall Museum, Dinning & Shopping Area and other facilities are all located in the back mountain.

Transportation: The drop-off points for the high-speed train, direct tourist buses, scenic area shuttle buses, and S2 train are all located in the back mountain. Among them, the exit of the high-speed train station, as well as the drop-off points for tourist buses and shuttle buses, are relatively close to the cable car station and the Great Wall entrance. However, the drop-off point for the S2 train is relatively far. Tourists taking the S2 train need to transfer to a shuttle bus to reach the Great Wall entrance.
 

Front Mountain - Outer Side

Tourist Facilities: Facilities such as a pulley station and a bear park are located in the front mountain.

Transportation: The stop for Bus No. 877 is in the front mountain, close to the pulley station.
 

Badaling vs. Mutianyu

Which one is better? As the best-preserved and most popular section, Badaling is a must-see for first-time visitors to China. Mutianyu is also a good choice with high popularity among foreigners, but generally less tourists than Badaling, which makes it accessible on big holidays.
 

Further Reading

Top 8 Fun Facts about the Badaling Great Wall

Top 8 Things to Do on the Badaling Great Wall

Badaling Great Wall Travel Review

Which Section of Great Wall to Visit 

6 Best Places to See Great Wall of China

Top 10 Things to Do in Beijing

Nearby Scenic Spots:

- Last updated on Apr. 24, 2025 by Sherry Xia -