Badaling Great Wall
So far, the Badaling Great Wall has hosted over 80 million visitors
For those who enjoy walking, hiking the Wall offers the chance to experience different views and historical stories along each section. You can rest at the watchtowers and take in the scenic beauty of the surrounding mountains. For visitors who prefer a quicker route, a cable car is available, providing a more relaxed way to reach the Wall, though this option might mean missing out on some of the hiking experience and physical challenge.
The Badaling Great Wall Scenic Area is one of the earliest opened and most visited sections of the Great Wall in China. It was originally built during the Ming Dynasty (1505 AD). In 1953, Badaling was designated as a tourist area, with about 3,741 meters available for visitors. In 2023, the Badaling Great Wall Scenic Area welcomed a record 10.52 million visitors, setting a new high since the area opened in 1958.
After more than two hours my husband and I finally climbed to the highest peak. Although people have been tired can no longer walk, but looking at the distant rolling Great Wall, looking at this indescribably beautiful scenery is really indescribable excitement ah! I can not imagine how the ancient people with artificial so big, so heavy stone up one by one. What a great construction project!
Table of Contents
Highlights
Natural Scenery of the Badaling Great Wall (八达岭长城自然风光)
The Badaling slideway features a tracked sled that descends by gravity. It has a vertical bar at the front that passengers can push or pull to brake and control their speed. Riding the slideway down, visitors can enjoy the magnificent views of the Badaling Great Wall while also experiencing the fun of sliding.
No. 8 North Tower (Chinese name: 北八楼)
No. 8 North Tower is the highest watchtower on the Badaling Great Wall, standing at an elevation of 888 meters. It offers the best vantage point for overlooking the Wall. Located in the northern section, it is a must-visit spot for tourists and is home to the famous “True Hero” Tablet. From this vantage point, visitors can clearly see the Great Wall winding and undulating like a giant dragon stretching across the mountains. As such, No. 8 North Tower is not only an ideal location for photography enthusiasts but also a fantastic spot to experience the grandeur and magnificence of the Great Wall.
Beacon towers (烽火台)
Beacon towers were essential military defense structures in ancient China, used for sending important messages through smoke or fire signals. They were typically built on high ridges or hilltops to ensure clear visibility between them. Each tower had facilities for lighting signals and included watchhouses.
At Badaling, the beacon towers are generally spaced about five kilometers apart. When soldiers in a tower spotted an approaching enemy, they would light a fire or produce smoke, which would be seen by the neighboring towers. This allowed the alert to be quickly relayed to central military command. The Badaling section of the Great Wall features 1,316 beacon towers, which are a key component of the Ming Dynasty’s defensive system.
"True Hero" Tablet (好汉碑)
The “True Hero” Tablet features the famous inscription, “He who has never been to the Great Wall is not a true hero.” This tablet is located at the highest point on “Hero’s Slope” at the Badaling Great Wall.
We took the cable car to the higher part of the Great Wall and then climbed towards the highest and most treacherous part of the Badaling Great Wall. Although sweating profusely, we finally climbed up. Standing on the highest peak, looking around, all around the lofty mountains, the Great Wall is like a huge dragon winding in the mountains. There are many beacon towers on the Great Wall, which are very complicated and have many places to shoot arrows. There are also many traces of the ancient fire on the top. The Badaling Great Wall was so crowded that it was difficult to even take pictures.
Great Wall Museum (长城博物馆)
The Badaling Great Wall Museum is the only museum in China dedicated entirely to the Great Wall. It showcases various aspects of the Wall, including its architectural forms, structure and layout, military defense systems, the historical development and expansion of the Wall, major battles that occurred near the Wall, and the economic development of the regions along its length.
Cable Car (索道)
The lower station of the North Line cable car at Badaling begins at the parking lot at the base of the Great Wall, with the upper station located at “Hero’s Slope” at the North Tower Eight. The cable car ride takes about 8 minutes to reach “Hero’s Slope,” which is the highest point on the Badaling section and offers scenic views along the way. After finishing your visit, you can take the cable car from the station near North Tower Eight to return to the starting point.
Slideway (滑道)
The Badaling slideway features a tracked sled that descends by gravity. It has a vertical bar at the front that passengers can push or pull to brake and control their speed. Riding the slideway down, visitors can enjoy the magnificent views of the Badaling Great Wall while also experiencing the fun of sliding.
Badaling Great Wall Dream Theater (八达岭长城梦幻球幕影院)
The Badaling slideway features a tracked sled that descends by gravity. It has a vertical bar at the front that passengers can push or pull to brake and control their speed. Riding the slideway down, visitors can enjoy the magnificent views of the Badaling Great Wall while also experiencing the fun of sliding.
The stairs of the Great Wall are so steep that you have to use all your strength to go up each step. The handrail is only on both sides of the stairs, so it creates a peculiar scene where both sides are crowded and the center is empty. When I climbed to the center, I turned back to look down the mountain. Since it was winter, all the leaves had fallen off the trees on the mountain, leaving only bare trunks. Occasionally a bird or two flew around and chirped a few times, seemingly alone. I also saw the sections of the Great Wall I had just climbed, and now it looked so small. But the people on it still looked black and crowded. The Great Wall curved down to the deepest part of the mountain. No matter how much I tiptoed, I couldn't see the end of it, only the hidden beacon towers tucked away in the trees. I looked back at the highest point - the end. It wasn't far from me, and the confidence was even greater.
How to Get to the Great Wall
By Bus
- Bus Route 877: This is a direct bus line to the Badaling Great Wall. It departs from Deshengmen and goes straight to the parking lot at the Badaling Scenic Area, taking about 2 hours. The fare is a flat rate of 12 yuan.
- Bus Route 919: You can also take the 919 bus from Tiananmen East Station directly to the Badaling Great Wall.
- Suburban Railway S2 Line: Take the S2 line from Beijing North Station, and after a few stops, you’ll arrive at Badaling Station. From there, it’s about an 820-meter walk to the Great Wall.
By Train
- If you’re in downtown Beijing, you can take Metro Line 2 to Xizhimen Station and then walk to Beijing North Railway Station. From there, take a high-speed train to Badaling Station, which takes about 35-60 minutes. After arriving at Badaling Station, it’s a 10-minute walk to the entrance of the Great Wall.
- Alternatively, you can take Metro Line 13 to Qinghe Railway Station. The high-speed train from Qinghe to Badaling takes about 30 minutes, followed by a 10-minute walk to the Great Wall entrance.
Attraction Information
Hours
- April – October: 06:30 -16 :30
- November – March: 07:30 – 16:00
Admission
- Tourist Peak Season (April – October): 40 CNY ( ≈ 5.6 USD)
- Tourist Off-Season (November – March): 35 CNY ( ≈ 4.9 USD)
- Seniors aged 60 and above (inclusive) can enter for free with valid identification.
Prohibited Items
- No sound equipment allowed.
- No drones allowed.
General Amenities
- Accessible Facilities
- Free restrooms
- ATM
- Cable Car ( 14.29 USD)
- Slide( 11.43 USD)
- Restaurant
luggage Storage
- The Badaling Great Wall offers several storage options, including locations at the Wengcheng(瓮城) and the Great Wall Museum, as well as the Visitor Center. Additionally, there’s a paid service called “Luggage Record(行李记),” charging 10 yuan per day for backpacks and 20 yuan per person for suitcases.
- The luggage storage service is about 300 meters from the exit of Badaling Station, operating daily from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM.
It's not that easy to climb to the top! There are so many steep slopes to climb that if you sneak a peek down, you'll be afraid to fall. Sometimes I have to use my hands and feet like a monkey to climb up. My mom took a lot of pictures along the way. We didn't even know we were tired because the scenery around us was so exciting.
Nearby KFC
- KFC (Badaling Walking Street Location)肯德基(八达岭步行街店)
10-1, Building 10, No. 3, West Side of the Foreign Guests Restaurant, Badaling Town - If you’re unsure about how to order at a nearby Chinese restaurant or if you’re not used to the local Chinese cuisine, you can temporarily solve your dining needs by heading to the nearby KFC.
Nearby Police Station
- Beijing Public Security Bureau Badaling Great Wall Police Station
北京公安处八达岭长城站派出所 - In China, the number to call the police is 110. If you have an emergency and need help, you can dial 110 at any time. Local police will usually arrive within minutes and will provide assistance with great care and responsibility.
Practical Travel Tips
- Spring and autumn are the best times to visit, with pleasant weather and beautiful scenery. It’s best to go in the early morning or late evening to avoid crowds and enjoy stunning sunrises or sunsets.
- Wear comfortable sneakers and bring enough water and snacks, but you don’t need to pack too much food since there are many restaurants, including KFC and Starbucks, at the base.
- Avoid visiting on Mondays! Most attractions in Beijing are closed, leading to large crowds at the Badaling Great Wall.
- The North and South lines are separate routes, and you can’t complete both in one trip. The North line has more attractions, while the South line is less crowded.
- Don’t forget sunscreen! There’s no shade on the Great Wall, and it can get very hot during the day.
North Tower 12 is the endpoint for the North line. You can exit down to the Bear Park near North Tower 11 without retracing your steps.
Expect large crowds during Chinese holidays, including many tour groups and students, but it gets less crowded as you climb higher.
- Make sure to use the restroom before heading up, as there are few toilets on the Great Wall.
- It’s advisable not to take the cable car unless you have mobility issues, as the wait can take 1-2 hours—plenty of time to hike to the top.
- Besides summer, it can be windy on the mountain, so bring a light jacket.
Attraction Surprises
Great Wall-shaped ice cream (长城文创雪糕)
At the entrance of the Badaling Great Wall, they sell various ice creams shaped like the Great Wall—definitely don’t miss out! Ice cream is priced at 25 yuan (approximately $3.50) each.
Great Wall fridge magnets (长城文创冰箱贴)
At the foot of the Badaling Great Wall, there’s a street filled with various food shops and many cultural and creative stores. Visitors can purchase their favorite fridge magnet souvenirs there. Fridge magnets are priced between 25 and 100 yuan (approximately $3.50 to $14).
How Visitors Rate the Badaling Great Wall
International tourists
I preferred Mutianyu because the air was clearer and the views were stunning, as it's farther from the city. The walk from the bus stop to the cable cars was longer when my older parents visited, but if your grandparents are active, they can navigate it more quickly if the cable cars are crowded. There are plenty of landing spots to take a break along the way, and it's much less steep than Badaling. I also loved the natural coaster ride down the mountain, if it's still operational.
