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Yanqing County, Beijing, China
World Cultural Heritage; The most essential part of the China Great Wall
Badaling Great Wall, also known as Ba Da Ling (八达岭) in Chinese spelling is the most representative part of the Great Wall of China, as well as the most visited section. It is located in Yanqing County, over 70 kilometers (43 miles) the northwestern suburbs of Beijing city. The Great Wall is a symbol of ancient Chinese civilization and a world-renowned fortification. Stretching 6,350 kilometers on the mountains in Northern China, the Great Wall was first built in the 7th century B.C. and completed during the reign of the first Emperor of Qin. It was extended during the Ming Dynasty. Being one of the "seven wonders of the world", it has been listed as a world cultural heritage.
Badaling Great Wall was the first section of the Great Wall that opened to the public in 1957 and it has undergone a couple of restoration. It is one of the best-preserved and most accessible sections. In addition, the Jinshanling, Mutianyu and Simatai Sections of the Great Wall are also well-preserved and worth visiting. Now visited by millions of people every year, the nearby area of Badaling Great Wall has had significant development, including hotels, restaurants and transportation. To date, 3,741-meter section of the Badaling Great Wall has been opened to tourists, comprising 21 city units and enemy units. It was built along the ridges of mountains, looking precipitous from the external wall but gently sloped from the internal wall. It is a year-round travel destination. Badaling scenic area is world-famous for its magnificent scenery, excellent facilities, deep cultural and historical connotations. "He who has never been to the Great Wall is not a true man" is talking about Badaling Great Wall. So far, Badaling has received numerous foreign visitors, including Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagon, Margaret Thatcher, Mikhail Gorbachev, Elizabeth II and Edward Heath and other 372 foreign leaders and many of the world-famous men. They all boarded the Badaling and were deeply impressed with the Great Wall, with infinite reverie, which is rare among the scenery attractions in the world.
Badaling Great Wall
The Great Wall at Badaling was built in the 18th year (1505) of the reign of Hong Zhi, an emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). It built barrier plug in each port, and each port on the hill built on both sides of the border town, shoot walls, retaining walls and other horses, as well as fortresses. It was renovated later in Jiajing and Wanli reign of the same Dynasty, with its strategic position; Badaling Section took tremendous labor and materials. It was a vital protective screen of Beijing city and the important military pass of Ming Dynasty in ancient times. Winding along the ridge of the mountain, Badaling Section of the Great Wall is vividly dragon like. Since Qing Dynasty, Badaling Great Wall had growingly fallen into ruin. The Key to the Northern Gate to the west of Juyong Pass was damaged by half. The Outer Town to the east of Juyong Pass was on the verge of collapse.In 1952, three years after the founding of New China, Guo Moruo, vice-premier and director of the Culture and Education Commission, proposed to repair Badaling Great Wall to receive Chinese and foreign tourists. Badaling Great Wall became the first section of the Great Wall that opened to the public in 1953. In 1961, the State Council approved to list Badaling passes and walls as a state-level major cultural relic preservation site. In 1984, comrade Deng Xiaoping advocated to “Love China and Repair Great Wall.” Since then, the centuries-old Great Wall took on new scenes.
Badaling Great Wall
【Wangjing Stone】
Badaling is located off the East Door of Badaling. It is s a one-meter high and 15-meter long natural granite stone, inscribed with "Wang Jing Shi" words on it.
【Fork City】
The whole city is an irregular rectangle building. It is a little convex in the middle and concave by the both sides. The whole building was constructed against the mountain and half of it is half-way up the hill. The city is 510 meters long from east to west and 185 meters from north to south. The walls are 8.5 meters high. It is boat shaped. The total area of the city is about 83,000 square meters. It is built by bricks, lime and mud. The city has a horse track. Outside of buildings wall, there are forts, watch holes, shooting hole and two beacon towers in the south side.
【Ancient Cannons】
They are display at the entrance of Badaling pass, near to the horse road. There are a total of five of them. The ancient cannons were one of advanced weapons at that time. The largest one has the barrel length of 2.85 meters, with the caliber of 105 millimeter. The firing range of it can reach more than one thousand meters.
【Pass City】
Badaling Pass City has two gates: the East Gate and the West Gate. The west of it is over 20 meters wide, 17 meters thick and 7.8 meters tall. The base of it is built with 10 layers of granite stone and the top of it is a rectangular building, which is 19.8 meters long and 14.15 meters wide. There are watch towers and crenel by the four sides of it.
【City Wall】
The city wall of Badaling Great Wall is 6 to 9 meters high. It is trapezoid shape. It is 6.5 to 7.5 meters wide at the bottom while 4.5 to 5.8 m wide on the top. Most of the top of the wall is wide flat.
【Watchtowers】
There are a total of 43 fortresses and watchtowers on Badaling Great Wall, similar shapes but different features, including platform for patrolling. There are upper and lower layers of watchtowers. The lower layer is used for the accommodation and materiel storage room for the soldiers, while the upper layer is set with crenels and shooting holes. They are all built by bricks and stones. The are a total of 16 watchtowers in this place.
【China Great Wall Museum】
This museum is themed the Great Wall of China. It is a comprehensive museum that fully reflects the historical, political, military, economic and cultural of the Great Wall. It is located off the Badaling Pass City and opened in 1994. There are a total of nine exhibition halls of it, which covers an exhibition area of more than 3000 square meters. The exhibition is focused around the unearthed artifacts and specimens from the Great Wall, supplemented by informative historical documents, photographs and models. It also makes use of modern technology and high-tech display means, light, electricity, etc. to show the Great Wall, which is quite unique in China.
Badaling Great Wall in Winter
The Badaling Great Wall is divided into two main sections: the North and South Walls, with the Main Entrance (瓮城 Wengcheng) as the central starting point.
Length: The North Wall stretches for about 4 kilometers and consists of 12 watchtowers, with the highest point at North Tower 8.
Difficulty: This section is more challenging, with steep ascents, particularly from North Tower 7 to North Tower 8. The hardest part is the climb between North Towers 8 and 10, where the gradient is quite steep. Expect to spend 2-4 hours exploring, depending on your pace and stamina.
Facilities: Toboggan (Sliding Cart) is available from North Tower 4 to the base, and another cable car connects North Tower 7 with the base. There are also walking paths that allow you to descend from North Towers 8 and 11.
Length: Approximately 1,176 meters with 7 watchtowers.
Difficulty: The South Wall is relatively easy, with gentle slopes from South Tower 1 to South Tower 4. The highest point on the South Wall is South Tower 4. From South Tower 4, there are a few steep steps as you climb to South Towers 5 to 7. This section is suitable for those with average fitness levels.
Facilities: A cable car connects the base to South Tower 4, making it convenient for those who prefer not to hike the entire length. The South Wall can be completed in 1-2 hours, and it's less crowded compared to the North Wall.
Location: The aerial cable car station is located at the back of the mountain (滚天沟 Gǔntiāngōu Parking Lot).
Route: The cable car takes you directly to North Tower 7, where you can easily ascend to North Tower 8 (the highest point). This is a great option for those who wish to enjoy the spectacular views without the physical exertion.
Cost: 140 CNY for a round-trip, 100 CNY for a one-way trip.
Recommended For: Seniors, children, and first-time visitors who want to get a view of the Great Wall without much physical effort.
Location: Located at the rear of the mountain, about 15 minutes' walk from the front.
Route: The ground cable car takes you directly to South Tower 4, where you can start your hike. From there, you can climb the wall and enjoy the views.
Cost: A few minutes' wait for the next cable car, with a round-trip fare of 100 CNY.
Recommended For: Those who want a mix of easy cable car access and light hiking.
Route: Start at the foot of the mountain and climb all the way up to the top. This is the most economical way to explore, but it is physically demanding.
Time & Difficulty: Expect a long, tiring climb that could take several hours, especially if you go all the way to North Tower 8.
Ideal for: Those who prefer a leisurely experience, such as seniors, children, or those with limited time or energy.
Route: Aerial cable car to North Tower 7 → Hike to North Tower 8 → Return to North Tower 7 via cable car.
Total Time: About 1.5 hours.
Ideal for: Visitors who enjoy moderate hiking but prefer to skip the toughest part of the North Wall.
Route: Start from the entrance → Hike from North Tower 1 to North Tower 7 → Use the aerial cable car to descend from North Tower 7.
Total Time: About 2 hours.
Ideal for: Visitors with good physical fitness who want a more comprehensive experience of both the North and South Walls.
Route: Take the ground cable car to South Tower 4 → Hike from South Tower 4 to South Tower 1 → Climb from North Tower 1 to North Tower 8 → Use the aerial cable car to descend from North Tower 7.
Total Time: About 3.5 hours.
♦ Recommended Tours:
🚄 Booking: Via 12306 App (China Railway official app).
📍 Departure Stations:
Beijing North Station (Metro Lines 2/4/13, Xizhimen Station)
Fare: ¥31 | Duration: ~50 min | First Train: 6:10 AM
Qinghe Station (Metro Lines 13/Changping Line)
Fare: ¥18 | Duration: ~22 min | First Train: 6:43 AM
⏰ Last Return Train: 8:43 PM (from Badaling)
🔹 Pro Tips:
Tickets sell out fast! Book 15 days in advance (Beijing North tickets release at 12:00 PM, Qinghe at 4:00 PM).
Arrive at the station 30 mins early for security checks.
Booking: No pre-booking needed! Just scan Alipay Metro QR Code at the station.
📍 Departure Station: Huangtudian Station (Metro Lines 8/13, Huoying Station Exit G4).
💰 Fare: ¥7 | Duration: ~70 min
⏰ Schedule: Varies daily (check real-time timetable).
🚌 Departure: Deshengmen Bus Terminal (near Jishuitan Metro, Line 2).
💰 Fare: ¥6 | Duration: ~90 min (depends on traffic).
⏰ Schedule:
To Badaling: 6:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Return to Beijing: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
🔹 Things to Know:
Avoid rush hour (7-9 AM & 5-7 PM)—traffic jams can double travel time.
Drops off at Badaling Front Mountain Bus Station, a 10-min walk to the entrance.
Booking: Via WeChat Mini Program "北京旅游集散中心" (Beijing Tourist Hub).
📍 Departure: Qianmen (near Tiananmen Square)
Metro: Line 2 (Exit C) or Line 8 (Exit I), follow signs to "Beijing Tourist Hub".
💰 Fare: ¥80 (round-trip) | Duration: ~80 min
⏰ Schedule:
🔹 Best For: Those combining Badaling with Olympic Park sightseeing.
Private Transport: Book a guided tour or taxi (1-hour drive via G6 Highway). Best for first-time visitors who want a hassle-free trip.
Ticket Price: The entry ticket for the Badaling Great Wall typically costs around 40 CNY. Additional charges may apply for cable cars.
How to Buy Tickets: Foreign visitors can purchase tickets on platforms like Trip.com. Alternatively, you may contact our travel advisors to purchase tickets for the Great Wall and other Beijing attractions. We can also help you plan a customized itinerary, arrange transfer and accommodation; this is the most convenient and stress-free way to travel in China.
The best time to travel to Badaling Great is in spring and autumn, which is cool and sunny. Especially in autumn, the sky is clear and the air is crisp in Beijing. It is an ideal time that is called "Golden Beijing" by foreign and domestic visitors. The best month is in April, May, September and October.
| Features | Badaling Great Wall | Mutianyu Great Wall |
| Accessibility | Well-connected by public transport and cable cars | Offers shuttle buses and cable cars |
| Crowds | More crowded (popular with tours) | Less crowded, quieter |
| Difficulty | Northern section is challenging; southern is easier | Moderate difficulty with well-maintained paths |
| Views | Majestic, rugged scenery | Lush greenery, picturesque surroundings |
| Facilities | Extensive tourist amenities (cafes, shops, etc.) | Fewer facilities but a calmer atmosphere |
| Best For | First-time visitors, convenience | Scenic, relaxed experience |
| Choose Badaling if: You want the classic Great Wall experience with easy access. | ||
| Choose Mutianyu if: You prefer fewer crowds and a more peaceful hike. | ||
From on request
From $ 277
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