Great Wall at Badaling Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Great Wall at Badaling. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Beijing Essential Full-Day Tour including Great Wall at Badaling, Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square

• Private Night Sightseeing Tour of Beijing

• Beijing Private Transfer: Badaling Great Wall with VIP Past Pass

• BusDa-Ancient Great Wall & Badaling Great Wall Full-day Bus Tour

• Great Wall of China at Badaling and Ming Tombs Day Tour from Beijing

The Badaling Great Wall typically costs around ¥40 for adults during peak season (April to October) and about ¥35 in the off-season (November to March). Students can enter for a reduced rate of ¥20, while seniors over 60 enter for free with a valid ID. There are plenty of affordable tours that offer round-trip transportation from Beijing and the guidance of a local expert, starting from US$20.

Yes, the Great Wall at Badaling is worth visiting, as it's the most accessible and best-preserved section of the wall near Beijing. Badaling offers dramatic mountaintop views, restored watchtowers, and a cable car that makes the steep climb manageable. Guided day tours from Beijing take the guesswork out of the logistics of traveling to the remote attraction, with round-trip transportation, skip-the-line entry, and local experts to provide insight into the wall's history. Many tours bundle Badaling with other must-see sights in the region, including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, or the Ming Tombs, making it easy to cover the major highlights in one day.

Per one customer who booked the  Beijing Essential Full-Day Tour including Great Wall at Badaling, Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, "We had a fantastic experience with Jenny. She is incredibly knowledgeable and brings such a positive, engaging energy. She shared helpful tips and tricks that made navigating the Great Wall much easier—helping us avoid large crowds and unnecessary walking. Her deep understanding of Chinese culture and the landmarks we visited really enhanced the entire experience. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone!"

Plenty of tours go to the Great Wall at Badaling—most depart from Beijing. You can choose between a private or group tour, some of which also include sightseeing in Beijing. Note that some group tours stop at souvenir stores along the way, so check before you book if you’d rather avoid shopping opportunities.

The Great Wall at Badaling dates back to the Ming Dynasty. It was built to help defend Beijing from the Mongolians. There are several watchtowers along this section of the Great Wall; several holes in the walls act as lookouts and places to shoot enemies with arrows.

Be prepared for stairs at the Badaling section of the Great Wall. This is a complete section of the wall, and there are handrails in some places to help climbers stay safe, but it will require effort. There’s a cable car that takes you up to the wall if you find it difficult to walk up.

The Great Wall at Badaling isn’t too far away from the center of Beijing. Tours can take you to this section in an hour, depending on traffic. From Beijing, you can also take a train to Badaling Railway Station or bus numbers 877, 919, or 880. Another option is to hire a private car for ultimate flexibility.

The Badaling section of the Great Wall is so popular because it’s one of the best preserved and isn’t far from Beijing. It makes for some impressive photos at the watchtowers or on the stepped sections of the rolling wall. It’s also one of the oldest sections, so is popular with history buffs.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting the Great Wall at Badaling. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Beijing:

• Mutianyu Great Wall

• Forbidden City (Palace Museum)

• Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang)

• Summer Palace (Yiheyuan)

• Temple of Heaven (Tiantan)

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Beijing.