Breakfast→Departure→Great Wall→Return+Massage→Dinner→Bar Leisure
Consider waking up a bit earlier to buy some food and drinks for lunch near your hotel. Convenience stores like 7-11 or Lawson offer a variety of options. It's advisable to purchase at least one sports drink, such as Gatorade, Pocari Sweat, or Mizone. During the summer, for a 5-6 hour outdoor activity, each person should prepare at least 4-5 bottles of drinking water. While water is available at the scenic area, it is quite expensive. Climbing the Great Wall is a physically demanding activity. Even if you don't plan to have lunch on the Wall, it's wise to bring some high-calorie snacks like chocolate, bread, biscuits, or sausages, just in case. Near Beijing North Station, there are several places where you can quickly grab breakfast—Starbucks, McDonald's, KFC, etc. Alternatively, you can have breakfast near your hotel. Today will be physically demanding, so please be well-prepared.
After disembarking at Badaling High-Speed Railway Station, you will find public restrooms. Be sure to use them before heading up the mountain, as restrooms on the Wall are scarce and often have long lines. There is a free luggage storage service at the entrance of the scenic area. Climbing the Great Wall is physically demanding, so only bring essentials such as your phone, power bank, passport, food, water, sunglasses, sun-protective clothing, a jacket, and a hat. Leave unnecessary items behind. The North Route is quite steep, consisting of 12 sections. It leads to the highest point, offering a panoramic view of Badaling. This is the most classic route, longer, steeper, and more thrilling, with two sections featuring nearly 90-degree steps. The total length is 2.6 kilometers, and a round trip takes approximately 2.5 hours. The North Route cable car is an aerial tramway. A one-way ticket costs 100 RMB, and a round-trip ticket costs 140 RMB. If you're unsure whether you'll need a round trip, you can buy a one-way ticket first and pay the 40 RMB difference on-site if you decide to return by cable car. Children under 1.2 meters ride for free. During holidays, the wait time for the North Route cable car can be around 1.5 hours for a single trip.
The Great Wall of China, the longest and most extensive ancient defensive structure in the world, was recognized as one of the "Seven Wonders of the Medieval World" as early as the 16th century, alongside the Roman Colosseum and the Lighthouse of Alexandria. Its construction history dates back to the Western Zhou Dynasty (7th century BC) with the establishment of the Liecheng system (a system that is comprised of many towels linking together). After the unification of China, Emperor Qin Shi Huang connected the northern walls into a continuous military barrier spanning 16 degrees of longitude. According to the "Records of the Grand Historian," the Qin Dynasty mobilized 300,000 soldiers and civilians to create a deep defense system centered around the wall. Throughout history, the defensive targets of the Great Wall were adjusted according to the changing northern tribes. During the Han Dynasty, the Hexi Corridor Great Wall was built to counter the Xiongnu, with beacon towers every 2,500 meters and watchtowers every 5,000 meters to control the Silk Road and signal warnings with smoke. In the Ming Dynasty, to resist Mongol cavalry, General Qi Jiguang established a hollow enemy tower defense system in Jizhen, with intervals strictly adhering to the effective range of cannons. The wall's cross-section was trapezoidal (6 meters wide at the base, 4.7 meters wide at the top) and constructed with solid brick and stone, making it nearly impenetrable by contemporary technology. The Great Wall we see today is primarily the Ming Dynasty Great Wall, with a total length of 8,851.8 kilometers. The entire length of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall exceeds 21,000 kilometers, making it the most extensive construction project of any dynasty. If the bricks, stones, and earth used to build the Ming Great Wall were used to construct a wall 1 meter wide and 5 meters high, it could circle the Earth more than once. Due to its excellent construction quality, it still stands strong over 650 years later. The engineering wisdom of the Great Wall, compared to contemporary European bastions, emphasizes organic integration with the terrain. The Mutianyu section, with its undulating curves along the mountain ridges, showcases the ancient Chinese military geography philosophy of "using mountains as walls and rivers as moats." Beyond its military defense role, the Great Wall served as a bridge for cultural exchange. Documents in Sogdian script found at Yangguan and Yumenguan from the Han Dynasty confirm its function as a trade hub on the Silk Road. The Northern Wei Dynasty established "Five Markets" along the Six Frontier Towns of the Great Wall, facilitating the exchange of prairie horses for Central Plains tea. The Liao Dynasty's Youzhou (Hebei) trading post achieved an annual trade volume of over a million strings of cash (equivalent to about 100 million USD today) through the Great Wall passes, demonstrating the material and cultural flow beyond ethnic boundaries. The battles and exchanges surrounding the Great Wall have spanned the entirety of Chinese history. The "Great Wall Spirit" that emerged from the Great Wall has become an important symbol of Chinese civilization, embodying the values of perseverance, unity, resilience, and the pursuit of peace. Due to the Great Wall's esteemed status in the hearts of the Chinese people, every visitor to China is drawn to it. Foreign dignitaries such as Nixon, Reagan, Clinton, Bush, Obama, Thatcher, and Elizabeth have all visited the Great Wall, echoing the famous line by Mao Zedong, the first Chairman of the People's Republic of China: "A man who has never been to the Great Wall is not a true hero".
The Badaling Great Wall offers three different routes for exploration: the North Route, the South Route, and a combined North-South Route. You can choose the route that best suits your physical condition and the weather on the day of your visit. We recommend taking advantage of the cable car or other transportation options available, unless you are in excellent physical shape and prefer a more challenging hike.
Take the cable car directly to North Tower 7 to conserve energy and avoid getting stuck in heavy crowds. Then, climb up to the "Hero Slope" to enjoy the panoramic views of Badaling, and finally hike down to appreciate the scenery along the way while avoiding long queues for the cable car descent. Route: Cable car to North Tower 7 → Hero Slope → Hike down
The South Route is less steep, divided into 7 sections, covering a total distance of 1.1 kilometers. A round trip hike takes approximately 1.5 hours, with minimal physical exertion. The South Route cable car is a ground cable car with panoramic windows, offering excellent views and shorter wait times, around 30 minutes. You can choose to hike or take the cable car. The cable car will take you directly to South Tower 4, one of the scenic points of Badaling Great Wall, where you can overlook the magnificent scenery of the Wall. The "Hero Tablets" worth photographing is located at multiple spots, all suitable for taking memorable photos. Cable car ticket prices are 140 RMB for a round trip and 100 RMB for a one-way trip. If you're unsure whether you'll need a round trip, you can buy a one-way ticket first and pay the 40 RMB difference on-site if you decide to return by cable car. Children under 1.2 meters ride for free.
Here’s a method to explore both the North and South sections of the Great Wall in one go. Purchase a round-trip ticket for 140 RMB. First, take the aerial cable car to the North Seventh Tower. After reaching the top, hike up the "Hero Slope" to enjoy the panoramic view. Then, walk back down to the North First Tower and continue hiking to the South Fourth Tower. After a brief exploration, take the shuttle bus back. This way, you can experience both sections while maximizing your time, budget, and energy. The entire journey takes approximately 4 hours, including cable car waiting time and hiking. Please assess your physical condition accurately before choosing this option. Important Note: The cable car tickets for the North and South sections are interchangeable, but each ticket can only be used once.
After descending the mountain, if you’re feeling hungry, there is a food court within the scenic area where you can easily find something to eat. The food is decent, though it may not offer any extraordinary culinary surprises. We apologize for not being able to provide a recommendation that meets our own high standards. However, perhaps this is part of the adventure of traveling! Let’s start exploring! All the food in this food court comes with pictures, so you can rely on your culinary intuition to pick a few dishes that catch your eye. It should be quite an enjoyable experience. On your return trip, please note that the Badaling High-Speed Railway Station stops ticket checks 12 minutes before departure. Make sure to keep an eye on the time.
After returning to Beijing North Station, if it’s between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM, we highly recommend experiencing traditional Chinese massage or foot reflexology. If it’s after 6:00 PM, you might want to have dinner first and then enjoy a massage. If you’re interested in traditional Chinese massage, you can visit Baozhilin Jingdian Blind Massage (Jiaotong University Branch). If you prefer foot reflexology, you can head to Fuqiao Health Cinema Foot Spa (Xizhimen, Xinjiekou Branch).
After a relaxing massage, if you wish to end your day with a delightful meal, here are our recommendations:
After a day of feasting and exploring, you might think it's time to call it a night. But if you're still craving a bit more adventure, why not dive into the enchanting nightlife of Beijing? Here are some top spots to consider:
As the vibrant nightlife winds down, imagine a skilled masseuse easing away the day's fatigue. Reflect on your Great Wall adventure—what moments stand out? Was it the silent mountains bathed in sunlight, the ancient battle scars on the bricks, the triumph of reaching the summit, or the challenges of the weather? Perhaps it was the exquisite meals, the soothing massage, the intoxicating music and drinks, or the soft, clean bed. All these experiences are gifts of human civilization, safeguarded by countless guardians throughout history. They might have laid a brick 3,000 years ago, shot an arrow 2,000 years ago, collected taxes at the gate, or gazed at the moon, longing for home centuries ago. Today, they might not be on the walls but in hospitals, fire stations, airports, space stations—everywhere, seen and unseen, silently protecting us. And among them, perhaps, is you. This is the Great Wall. This is guardianship. As this bustling day comes to an end, rest well to ensure you're ready for tomorrow's adventures. If you're feeling tired, we recommend our "Leisurely Stroll" itinerary for a relaxed morning and a laid-back day, perfect after a day of excitement. Good night. If you enjoyed today's itinerary, please consider leaving us a positive review. It helps other travelers planning their trips to China. If there's anything you're dissatisfied with, please let us know promptly so we can improve our services. Thank you very much. Good night.
1. Climbing the Great Wall requires walking over thousands of steps, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes, such as hiking shoes, running shoes, or mountaineering shoes. Do not wear high heels or formal leather shoes.
2. Always pay attention to safety, follow the signs in the scenic area, and don't be overly curious. Areas that are not open or not maintained may be dangerous; please do not attempt to explore them!
3. When going downhill, maintain a steady pace, and if necessary, use trekking poles as assistance to relieve pressure on the knees and leg muscles. Remember not to walk or run too fast, as it is easy to get injured; there have been cases of tourists fracturing bones because of this.
4. Be mindful of sun protection, regularly hydrate, and watch out for heatstroke.
5. Do not smoke on the Great Wall to prevent forest fires.
6. If you encounter wild cats or other wildlife, please keep your distance to avoid injury.
7. Do not trust drivers soliciting business at the entrance of the scenic area, as most of them charge inflated prices; choose legitimate transportation options.
8. The altitude of the Great Wall varies widely, resulting in temperature differences. You might want to bring a light jacket for windproof warmth.
9. Stand steady before taking photos.
10. If someone offers to take your picture on the Great Wall, the charge is 60 yuan per photo; it’s cheaper to ask passersby for help.
11. Do not buy souvenirs from vendors on the Great Wall; once you descend to the exit, items that cost dozens or hundreds on the mountain only cost 5 yuan each, and you can also have them engraved.
12. Each of the above precautions is based on real incidents, so please remember them.
13. Please try to bring a power bank to ensure your phone stays charged.
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★ 5.0 / 5 · 8 reviews from app travelers
Badaling a demandé un peu d'organisation avec les enfants, surtout sur les sections les plus raides. Le téléphérique a aidé, mais certaines parties restaient abruptes. Nos enfants ont adoré les tours et poser des questions sur les soldats qui y montaient la garde. Le retour comprenait un massage relaxant et un bon dîner — une journée complète, vraiment adaptée aux familles. Je recommande la route Sud pour des vues plus longues.
Percutian pertama keluarga kami ke Tembok Besar dan ia memang tak mengecewakan. Badaling tu touristy, ya betul, tapi bertiga-tiga kami berjalan atas tembok, tengok tembok terbentang sampai ke ufuk — terasa besar macam yang gambar tak mampu tunjukkan. Anak-anak suka kabel kereta. Kami habiskan dengan urut dan makan besar, semua orang puas. Pergi awal, bawa air, ambil North Route.
Badaling le dernier jour de la Semaine dorée, c'était la chose la plus bondée que j'ai vécue en Chine — mais aussi, je dois l'admettre, impressionnant. Des milliers de personnes marchant sur le même mur qui a défendu des empires, c'est une beauté étrange, comme une performance vivante. La route Nord offre les vues classiques, et le massage après était largement mérité. Si vous pouvez, venez un jour normal ; si vous ne pouvez pas, venez quand même et embrassez l'énergie.
Badaling’s north line has some kick, and the wind at the battlements feels historic. I booked a massage on the way back; my legs were fine the next day.
Badaling’s north and south lines can be combined freely — I picked the north line and climbed slowly. Very windy, but worth it. The guide mentioned that “March of the Volunteers” was written near Gubeikou in 1935; listening to it again while standing on the wall hits completely differently.
На Бадалин очень ветрено, со смотровых зубцов видно горы, и слова «стена, построенная из плоти и крови» вдруг обретают вес. Крутой северный маршрут — оно того стоит.
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