Badaling After Snow: Unbelievably Beautiful

The Great Wall is a symbol of the 5,000-year civilization of the Chinese nation. I believe everyone has heard the must-go reason that 'He who has never been to the Great Wall is not a true man,' and you may also know something about its history. The Badaling Great Wall, where the 'Hero Slope' is located, is a must-visit spot for almost all tourists coming to Beijing. As a scenic spot loved by both domestic and foreign visitors, I feel that the most obvious features of the Badaling Great Wall are its rolling mountains, steep terrain, majestic grandeur, long history, and well-preserved condition.

Badaling Great Wall is located at the north entrance of the Guangou Ancient Path on Jundu Mountain in Yanqing District, Beijing. Historically known as one of the nine great passes in the world, it served as an outpost for the important Juyong Pass. It is the best-preserved and most representative section of the Ming Great Wall, and therefore it was the first section of the Great Wall opened to visitors.

You can purchase tickets on the official website or the WeChat official account 'Badaling Great Wall'.

Tickets are divided into off-peak and peak seasons: Peak season is from April 1 to October 31 each year, with adult tickets at 40 yuan per person. Off-peak season is winter, from November 1 to March 31 of the following year, with adult tickets at 35 yuan per person. Children under 18 and seniors over 60 are free of charge. There are also discounted tickets for students and various other ID holders. Check the official website for details.

For this trip, we chose the Bashida direct bus, so we let the tour guide buy the tickets and round-trip bus fare for us. The round-trip bus plus ticket for adults is 120 yuan per person, and for children it's 40 yuan, which is very cost-effective.

There are three ways to get there:

First, the 'Train to Spring' — the S2 EMU train, departing from Beijing North Railway Station. It's a bit troublesome and doesn't go directly to the site.

Second, take a public bus. You'll need to transfer, which is inconvenient.

Third, use a private car or a direct bus. (P.S. On this trip, we took the Bashida direct bus, which gathered at Beitucheng Subway Station.)

It is recommended to climb from North Tower 1 to North Tower 8, which is the most classic section of the Badaling Great Wall (on your right after entering the main gate). After entering the gate, you can also first climb a few southern towers (on the left), then return the same way and explore the northern towers. Of course, you should choose a suitable climbing distance based on your physical condition and other factors.

There are quite a few dining options: Badaling Restaurant, Yonghe King (Badaling branch), Subway (Badaling Great Wall branch), Qingfeng Steamed Buns (Badaling Great Wall branch), Great Wall Tiandi Food Culture Plaza. Some vendors offer a discount if you mention Bashida, making it quite a deal.

(1) Cable Car (Back Mountain)

The Badaling cable car is located on the back mountain of the scenic area, operated by the Beijing Badaling Tourism Corporation. It is one of the safest and most advanced cable cars in the world and currently the safest and quickest way to climb the wall. With ample capacity and complete facilities, the cable car can take you directly to the most scenic North Tower 8, making it an excellent choice for visitors with limited energy or elderly companions. Cable car round-trip ticket: 140 yuan.

(2) Slide Car (Front Mountain)

The slide car is located on the front mountain. You can take the slide car to North Tower 4, then walk up to North Tower 8. This used to be a major way to climb the wall for a one-day trip to Badaling. However, due to outdated facilities and safety concerns, I personally do not recommend it. Coincidentally, when we went, there was snow and slide car tickets were not on sale. Slide car round-trip ticket: 100 yuan.

1. Mind your manners. Do not carve on the Great Wall, do not make loud noise, be civilized, courteous, and follow the rules.

2. Some sections like Hero Slope are quite steep, and some walls are very narrow, allowing only two people to climb side by side.

3. On weekends and holidays, there are many tourists. It is recommended to start early and avoid peak times. There are no shops on the wall, so bring necessary supplies, especially food and water. Toilets are located at North Tower 4 and South Tower 4.

On the way back, we gathered at the Great Wall Museum. The museum in the snow looked especially solemn.

Our one-day trip came to an end. As it was getting dark, we prepared to head home. We passed the Bird's Nest and Water Cube, and snapped a quick photo.

The tour guide from Bashida direct bus also gave us souvenirs, which we really liked.

In summary: Badaling is definitely worth visiting. The day was fulfilling and not too tiring. The most recommended thing is this Bashida direct bus, which is convenient and fast, plus having a tour guide. After comparison, it's really cost-effective with plenty of time. And with a guide, it's especially suitable for those with children. If you want to go, you can use this as a reference.

Travelogue Directory: 1. Introduction to Badaling, 2. Tickets, 3. Transportation, 4. Tour Route, 5. Lunch and Self-Paid Items, 6. Tips, 7. That's it for the Badaling Great Wall check-in. See you at the next stop! Travel information, hotel index, guide index, flight ticket index, website navigation, travel index, cruise index, business travel index, partnerships, distribution alliance, friendly links, corporate gift card purchasing, insurance agency, agency cooperation, hotel alliance, destination and scenic area cooperation, more partnerships, About Ctrip, Ctrip hot topics, contact us, recruitment, user agreement, privacy policy, business license, security center, Ctrip content center, intellectual property, Trip.com Group algorithm disclosure.