[2025 Beijing Attraction] Travel Guide for Badaling Great Wall - Downhill Slide Car (Updated May)

Great Wall it’s amazing architecture. But it’s too noisy a lot of tourists.

#greatwall #badaling #beijing

As you cruise along the G6 Jingzang Expressway toward Badaling, Beijing’s cityscape gradually fades into rolling hills and rugged terrain. The skyline shifts from high-rises to majestic mountains, each turn bringing you closer to the legendary Great Wall. The journey itself is a visual treat — arid plains give way to dramatic ridges, hinting at the epic fortification ahead. This scenic route isn’t just a drive, it’s a transition from modern marvels to ancient wonders. The final stretch, where the Wall peeks out from the folds of the hills, delivers an unforgettable teaser to the grand adventure awaiting. #discoverchina

#discoverchina If you’re a solo traveler in China, skipping the **Badaling Great Wall** would be like visiting Paris and ignoring the Eiffel Tower. Yes, it’s popular—but this iconic stretch of the Great Wall is legendary for a reason. Here’s why you *need* to conquer it, along with secrets most tourists miss! --- ### **Why Badaling? 🧗♂️** Badaling is the **most accessible and well-preserved** section of the Great Wall, just 70km from Beijing. Built during the Ming Dynasty, its name means “convenient access to all directions”—a nod to its strategic role in guarding northern China. While some call it “too touristy,” its grandeur is unmatched. Plus, solo travelers can outsmart the crowds with a few pro tips! --- ### **Why You *Must* Go 🏞️** 1. **Walk Through History** 🏮 Tracing this UNESCO site’s snaking stone paths (some slopes at 70 degrees!) lets you literally follow in the footsteps of soldiers and traders. The **North Eighth Tower** offers panoramic views that’ll make your Instagram followers weep. 📸 2. **Secret Sunrise/Sunset Spots** 🌅 Most tourists come mid-day. Arrive at **6 AM** or stay for the **night tour** (April–Oct) to see the wall glow under golden lights, sans crowds. 3. **Hidden Museum** 🏛️ Few know about the **Great Wall Museum** at the entrance. It’s free and packed with relics like ancient weapons and maps—perfect for history nerds! 4. **Solo Empowerment** 💪 Hiking Badaling alone is a flex. Conquer the steepest sections (like the **Hero Slope**), and you’ll earn a certificate at the top! --- ### **Mind-Blowing Secrets 🤫** - **The Wall’s “Whispering” Stones**: Tap certain bricks lightly—locals say soldiers used them to send coded signals. - **Mao’s Famous Misspeak**: A monument here quotes Mao: “He who hasn’t reached the Great Wall isn’t a true hero.” (He *actually* said it metaphorically—oops!) - **Space Visibility Myth**: NASA debunked the “seen from space” legend, but the views from the wall? *Otherworldly*. --- ### **Solo Hacks for Beating the Crowds** 🗝️ - **Go Left at the Entrance**: Most tourists head right. Turn left for quieter trails toward **South Section**. - **Pack Smart**: Wear grippy shoes—those ancient steps are slippery! Bring water (vendors charge triple up top). - **Transport Ease**: Take the **877 bus** from Beijing (¥12, 1hr) or splurge on a taxi (¥300). --- ### **Final Thoughts** 🌟 Yes, Badaling is busy—but its raw scale and history are humbling. As a solo traveler, you’ll relish the freedom to pause at watchtowers, chat with vendors selling “I Climbed the Wall” merch, and soak in vistas that stretch like a dragon’s spine across mountains. And hey, if you finish early? Pair your trip with the **Ming Tombs** nearby for a double dose of Ming Dynasty magic. So lace up, charge your camera, and let Badaling remind you why the Great Wall is

#NewYearNewTrip Review of the Great Wall of China, Badaling Pass, Beijing Complete from the journey, how to buy tickets Is it far to walk? How long does it take to travel? I will summarize all the points here. 📍How to get there: To Beijing city center • By high-speed train, from Qinghe Station, from the city, get off at Badaling Great Wall Station, convenient for 30 minutes. • My train was at 8.33, train number D6703. Arrived at Badaling at 9.05 am. Booked through trip. • I recommend going in the morning because even though there are a lot of people in the morning, when they spread out on the Great Wall, there are very few people. It's real. • Walk out of the station, turn right, you will see the Cable car station. Go back the same way. Easy. 📍How to buy tickets to enter • I was secretly impressed with the trip app because at first I planned to buy it at the event, but when I checked the price, it was cheaper, so I decided to buy it at the train station. In less than ten minutes, the ticket was confirmed and I could use my passport. • I bought a round-trip ticket including the cable car, as shown in the last picture. The price is for 2 people. I have to say that I don't really love climbing. Buy like me 555 📍Entrance • After buying a ticket, walk to the cable car station on the right from the train station, about 200 meters. • After scanning your bags and luggage, there will be a ticket exchange counter on the right. You can exchange your passport at number 1-2 on the left. If you buy at the event, you can buy it at the same place, number 3-4. • Once you have your ticket, each person, you can queue up to get on the cable car. Let me tell you, it's easy. • The cable car ride doesn't take long, about 15 minutes. When you reach the top, you will see the Great Wall of China waiting to greet you. 📍My version of walking around the Great Wall of China - Why my version? Because I have already booked a return ticket. - To put it simply, after walking out of the cable car station, There will be a place to sit and decide whether to walk straight or turn around and climb the Great Wall. - I had about 4 hours because I had booked a train back at 13.19, so I decided to turn around and climb the Great Wall. Walk up the hard way first. - The path is quite good, but there are no stairs all the way. It's a ramp with handrails. It's steep like a flat path. When I reached the first step, I was out of breath. 555 - I gritted my teeth and climbed the stairs until I reached the resting area on top, which was a bit higher. It wasn't a fort, but a resting area without stairs. After taking pictures, I went down. I changed sides to the straight path instead. 🤣 - When I reached the decision area, I changed to the straight path. It wasn't that steep. It was a relief. I kept walking and took pictures. It was worth the ticket price. Then I walked back up the cable car. - I didn't walk across the fort or go to another fort. Let's just say that I actually spent a little over 2 hours walking and taking pictures. My legs were almost dragging because I was climbing the ramp. It was the worst. But the view was beautiful. 📍Return trip - When you get to the station from the cable car above, if you haven't booked a return ticket, I recommend checking the time you plan to take the cable car down. Add another 1.30 hours because normally, if you book through Trip, it should be more than 45 minutes from the booked time. So I roughly estimate it to be an hour and a half. - Another reason Why add that much? Because it takes about half an hour to get to the station. - Wait to be called again before the train arrives here for about 20 minutes. Because it's quite far from the platform to the platform. And wait for about 40 minutes before being called. I think it's easy, not too long and not too risky. This is recommended for people who have little time and want to take pictures of the Great Wall of China. Badaling Pass is an interesting option. #Traveling #Traveling #TravelingDotCom #GreatWallOfChina #badaling