Complete Guide to Badaling Great Wall (八达岭长城): Easy Routes and Tips

🚝 Transportation Options 🚝

🚄 High-Speed Train: Take a high-speed train from Qinghe Station (清河站) or Beijing North Station (北京北站) directly to Badaling Great Wall Station (八达岭长城站). The journey takes about 30 minutes and costs 20 CNY (approximately $3 USD) 🎫.

🚌 Bus: From Deshengmen Station (德胜门站), take bus 877 🚌 to Badaling Great Wall. It takes around 90 minutes and costs 6 CNY (approximately $1 USD) 💰.

🚍 Tourist Bus: The Beijing Tourist Distribution Center (北京旅游集散中心) offers direct buses to Badaling Great Wall for 80 CNY (approximately $12 USD) per person 🚍.

🎒 Luggage Storage 🎒

There is free luggage storage at the entrance of the scenic area 🛅, so you can explore without any worries 😄.

🧗 Great Wall Sections 🧗

North Great Wall: There are 12 sections, with the highest point being North Eight Tower (北八楼). Young visitors might enjoy the challenge, as the views are spectacular 🤩.

South Great Wall: There are 7 sections, which are relatively flatter and more suitable for seniors and children 👴👶.

📸 Photo Spots 📸

The "Hero Stone" (好汉石) and the "Hero Stele" (好汉碑) are popular spots for photos. You can find them at North Four Tower (北四楼) on the North Great Wall and at South One Tower (南一楼), South Two Tower (南二楼), and South Four Tower (南四楼) on the South Great Wall.

🎫 Tickets & Cable Car/Slideway 🎫

• Entrance Tickets: Adults: 40 CNY (approximately $6 USD); Students: 20 CNY (approximately $3 USD) 🎟.
• Cable Car: Round trip: 180 CNY (approximately $27 USD); One way: 140 CNY (approximately $21 USD) 🚡. The cable car takes you to North Eight Tower.
• Slideway: One way: 80 CNY (approximately $12 USD); Round trip: 120 CNY (approximately $18 USD) 🛤.

🚏 Route Options 🚏

Recommended Easy Route:

• Cable Car Route: After arriving at the high-speed train station 🚝, take the cable car up the mountain. Then hike down ⛰.

  • Route: North Cable Car Station - North Eight Tower (highest point) - (optional further climb) - hike down - South One Tower (Hero Stele) - Badaling Cultural Street - Great Wall Museum (closed on Mondays) 🤓.

• Slideway Route: Take bus 877 to Badaling Great Wall 🚌, then take the slideway up the mountain, and visit the Bear Park (熊乐园) 🐻. From North Four Tower, hike to North Eight Tower, enjoy the scenery, and take photos 📸. In the afternoon, follow the signs to return, take the slideway down, and then take bus 877 back to Deshengmen 🚌.

Estimated Cost 💸:

• Transportation: High-speed train: 20 CNY (approximately $3 USD) or bus: 6 CNY (approximately $1 USD).
• Entrance Ticket: 40 CNY (approximately $6 USD).
• Cable Car or Slideway: 180 CNY (approximately $27 USD) for round trip cable car or 120 CNY (approximately $18 USD) for round trip slideway.
• Food and Miscellaneous: 100 CNY (approximately $15 USD) for the day.
• Total: 340 CNY (approximately $51 USD). 

Note: Costs may vary based on dining choices and length of visit.

By following this guide, you can enjoy the Badaling Great Wall with minimal effort and maximum enjoyment. Happy travels! 🌏🎒🏞️