Great Wall at Badaling
The most iconic and best-restored section of the Great Wall, 70km northwest of Beijing. Features steep climbs and panoramic mountain views.
Why It’s Worth Visiting
Badaling is the Great Wall as it exists in the world's collective imagination — the wide, battle-tested ramparts and receding watchtowers you have seen in films and photographs. It is also the section every foreign head of state visits, which tells you it delivers the defining Chinese experience reliably.
The combination of iconic scenery, straightforward transport, and the free museum at the base makes it the most complete Great Wall day trip for first-time visitors — even with the crowds, the 'I'm on the Great Wall' moment is unmistakable here.
What to Expect
Badaling is the Great Wall in its most theatrical form. The wall here rises over steep, bare mountainsides with watchtowers receding into the distance — the image you have seen in a thousand travel posters is this exact stretch. The Wall is also at its most commercial here, which is the price you pay for that perfect postcard.
The experience splits cleanly into two. South of the entrance, the wall climbs to a single restored tower with pleasant views — the easy route. North is where the real Badaling lives: tower after tower connected by broad ramps and occasional steep steps, wide enough in places for five people abreast. The climb to Tower 8, the highest point open to tourists, is genuinely rewarding, and the crowds thin noticeably the further you push.
The cable car saves the steepest 700 meters and is worth it for anyone with mobility concerns or limited time. Purists prefer the walk from the entrance, but both routes end at the same ridgeline — how you get there matters less than being there early. Arrive at the 8am gate opening and you will walk nearly empty ramps; by 10am the first tour buses disgorge.
The Wall here is also a piece of living engineering history. Built and reinforced across the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Badaling guarded the Juyongguan Pass, the most direct approach to Beijing from the northern steppe. The watchtowers you can climb were once garrison posts; the beacon platforms along the ridge were part of a smoke-signal relay network that could raise the alarm to the capital in a single day.
Round out the visit with the Great Wall Museum at the base — free, well-curated, and the best 30 minutes you will spend explaining how this colossal structure was built, garrisoned, and maintained. A morning on the wall plus the museum makes a satisfying, complete half-day.
From Tower 4 looking north — the Wall snakes dramatically over the mountain spine with watchtowers receding into the distance.
| Ticket Price | CNY 35 – CNY 40 |
| Duration | 3-4 hours |
| Nearest Subway | Deshengmen (Bus 877) (Bus 877) |
| Best Season | Spring, Autumn |
| Best For | Adults and active travelers |
Must-See Highlights
- North Tower viewpoints
- Cable car access
- Great Wall Museum
- Hero Slope
How to Get There
Take Bus 877 to Deshengmen (Bus 877) station. The attraction entrance is a short walk from the station.
Beijing subway operates from approximately 5am to 11pm daily. Fares range from CNY 3 to 9. English signage and announcements are available on all lines.
How to Spend Your Time
- 1
Take the S2 train from Beijing North at 6:12am for the scenic ride and an 8am arrival.
- 2
Skip the south side entirely; head north and climb past Tower 4 where most visitors turn back.
- 3
Pause at Tower 8 for the classic panorama and the Wall museum at the base.
- 4
Be at the shuttle bus by 1pm if you want to avoid the return crowd peak.
Insider\u2019s Tip
Skip the south side entirely — head north from Tower 1 and keep climbing past Tower 4, where 90% of visitors turn back. By Tower 8 you’ll have sections almost entirely to yourself.
A Bit of History
The Badaling section was built in 1505 during the Ming Dynasty as a critical military outpost guarding the Juyongguan Pass. It was the first section opened to tourists in 1957 and has since hosted over 500 foreign heads of state.
Beat the Crowds
Morning tour buses from Beijing arrive between 9:30am and 10:30am. Arrive by 8am when the gates open for at least 90 minutes of relative quiet.
Where to Eat Nearby
Commune by the Great Wall, a design-forward restaurant and boutique hotel 15 minutes by taxi from Badaling, serves excellent modern Chinese cuisine in a renovated village setting.
Best Photo Spot
From Tower 4 looking north — the Wall snakes dramatically over the mountain spine with watchtowers receding into the distance.
Good to Know
- The entrance fee is CNY 40 with the cable car as an optional extra.
- The official Great Wall Museum at the base is free and a smart use of 30 minutes.
- In winter the bare mountains are dramatic and almost empty — bring spikes for icy steps.
- Restrooms are at the base and at Tower 8 only; plan accordingly on the wall.
- The S2 train runs a limited schedule — check the timetable the night before and queue early.
Great Wall at Badaling: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Badaling from Beijing?
The scenic S2 train from Beijing North Station (about 1 hour, CNY 6) or Bus 877 from Deshengmen (90 minutes, CNY 12) are the cheap, direct options. Private drivers cost roughly CNY 500-700 round trip.
Is Badaling the Great Wall section in photos?
Yes — the wide, heavily restored ramps and receding watchtowers in most Great Wall travel photos are Badaling. It is the classic 'postcard wall'.
Is Badaling too crowded to enjoy?
Crowds peak 10am-2pm with tour groups. Arriving for the 8am opening or visiting on a weekday gives you the postcard views without the shoulder-to-shoulder shuffle. The northern towers past Tower 4 stay relatively clear even at peak.
Can I do Badaling with the cable car and how long does it take?
Yes — the cable car runs from the base to near Tower 4 and costs about CNY 100 one-way or 140 round trip. With the cable car both ways, budget 3-4 hours total; walking both ways adds 1-2 hours.