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

The clever idea here is simple: two Great Wall sections in one day. You see the restored Badaling Great Wall, the famous section with the big views and crowds, then visit the rougher Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall, where weather and time have left the masonry closer to its original form. I like the contrast. One stop shows the Wall as China presents it today; the other gives you a feel for how old fortifications actually age.

I also like the included VIP access and transport. BusDa provides the Badaling entry ticket, access to the ancient section, a reserved parking area, and a VIP passage at Badaling. Guides such as Amy, Betty, Ding, and Aria have been praised for clear communication and careful handling of ticket questions. The main concern is that the ancient section can be canceled, and one booking had only a single wall visit with no refund, so confirm the day’s plan before you set out.

Key points to know before booking

• Two very different walls: Spend about two hours at restored Badaling, then about two and a half hours at the weathered Yanqing section.
• VIP passage at Badaling: BusDa includes access valued at 208 yuan, helping you avoid part of the standard crowd flow and reach the Hero Slab.
• Ancient wall entry included: The less-restored section normally has a 54 yuan ticket, included here at no extra charge.
• Simple city meeting point: Meet at Beitucheng Subway Station at 10:00 am, then return to Beijing Olympic Park.
• Cash is useful: Credit cards are not convenient at the Great Wall scenic area. Bring cash if you do not use Alipay or WeChat.
• Expect a large group: The bus can carry up to 47 people, so this is organized group sightseeing rather than a private outing.

Why this Great Wall pairing works

Most day trips to Badaling focus on the restored section alone. That is understandable. Badaling is easy to reach, well maintained, and famous for its broad stone paths, watchtowers, and Hero Slab. It is also the section most popular with Chinese visitors, so the central routes can feel busy.

BusDa adds a second stop that changes the mood. The Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall, also called the Ruined Great Wall, is the southwestern extension of the better-known section. It has not had large-scale renovation, so you see weathering, broken edges, and structural flaws rather than a polished tourist route.

I like this pairing because you do not have to choose between comfort and character. At Badaling, you get the famous postcard view and organized access. At the ancient section, you get quieter scenery and a more direct look at an old defensive structure that has not been rebuilt into perfect shape.

There is a tradeoff. Two wall sections mean much of the day is spent moving between sites. The bus ride from the meeting point to Badaling takes about 1.5 hours, and the full outing lasts roughly eight hours. If you want a long, slow walk along one section, this schedule may feel rushed. If you want variety and a practical overview, it makes good sense.

Meeting at Beitucheng Subway Station at 10:00 am

You make your own way to the start point at Beitucheng Subway Station in Chaoyang. Look for staff wearing green vests with the BusDa logo, show your mobile reservation, and follow their directions to the bus.

This detail matters in Beijing. A city meeting point is easier to reach than a hotel pickup scattered across several districts, but you need to arrive at the correct station area and identify the staff. The tour ends at Beijing Olympic Park, not back at the starting station, so plan your evening from that side of the city.

The air-conditioned bus is included, as is an English-speaking guide on board. During the ride, the guide explains how the Badaling visit works and helps arrange optional tickets. This is useful because the first stop involves choices about the north line, south line, and cable car.

The bus may hold as many as 47 people. That keeps the price low, but it also means you should expect group timing. A careful guide is important here. Amy has been praised for organization, while Betty is noted for keeping communication clear around the busy wall. Ding has also been described as efficient and good at updating the group.

Badaling Great Wall: the famous restored section

After the drive, you get about two hours at Badaling Great Wall. You can choose the north-line or south-line route. The guide helps you understand the choices before you head up, and a cable car is available as an optional purchase if you do not want to walk the full approach.

Badaling is the section to choose when you want the classic Great Wall experience. The restored stonework, towers, and sweeping views make it visually impressive. It is also the stop where crowds matter most. This is the most popular section among Chinese visitors, and the paths can become congested, particularly around the best-known photo points.

The included VIP passage is one of the strongest reasons to consider this tour. BusDa says the access has a market value of 208 yuan per person and allows its group to avoid part of the ordinary crowd route. You also get the chance to take photos at the Hero Slab, a well-known Badaling landmark.

Do not mistake VIP passage for a private wall. You are still visiting a major public sight, and the two-hour limit remains. The advantage is better handling at the entrance and less time lost in the standard flow, not complete solitude.

I suggest using your two hours with a clear plan. If you want the iconic Badaling experience, focus on the route and photo points rather than trying to cover every path. The north and south lines offer different walking choices, but the information provided does not specify which one is longer or more demanding. Ask your guide, particularly if you plan to use the cable car.

The guide will later lead you back to the parking area. Keep track of the meeting time. A large group cannot wait indefinitely for someone still taking photos at a tower.

The ancient Yanqing section and its weathered stonework

The second stop gives you about two and a half hours at the Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall. Historically known as the Ruined Great Wall, it forms the southwestern extension of the Badaling system.

This is not simply a smaller copy of the first stop. The main difference is its condition. The restored Badaling section has been repaired for public access, while this ancient stretch retains visible signs of weathering and structural damage. You may find rougher surfaces and less uniform masonry, which gives the place a more original appearance.

The scenery is also a key part of the appeal. The ancient wall is described as having fewer people and beautiful views. That makes it a good counterpoint to the crowds at Badaling. You have more room to pause, look across the hills, and notice the way the wall follows the terrain.

The word incomplete is important. You should not expect the same polished paths, restored towers, or easy movement found at the main Badaling site. The supplied details do not give a precise walking difficulty rating, so wear comfortable shoes and be ready for uneven conditions. That advice is especially important because one visitor specifically stressed comfortable footwear and patience at the Great Wall.

The ancient section’s admission ticket is included. BusDa identifies the normal price as 54 yuan per person, so this part adds real value to a $20 tour if the stop operates as planned. The major condition is operational: the ancient section may be canceled. One booking resulted in a single-wall visit, and the customer reported that no refund was offered. Because this stop is central to the tour’s appeal, ask the guide at the meeting point whether both sections are running that day.

What the $20 price really covers

At $20 per person, this is a low-cost way to reach two Great Wall areas without arranging separate transport. The price includes round-trip downtown bus service, air conditioning, an English-speaking guide on board, the Badaling entry ticket, and entry to the ancient section.

The included VIP passage adds value at the first stop, especially when you consider the stated market price of 208 yuan. The ancient section’s 54 yuan admission is also included. These figures make the tour look strong on paper, but the real value depends on completing both visits.

Lunch is not included. Personal expenses are not included either, and the Great Wall scenic area is not a good place to depend on credit cards. If you do not have Alipay or WeChat, bring cash. The tour information does not specify a meal stop, so carry whatever food or drink you need for the day.

The cable car is optional and costs extra. You can decide on the coach or at the site based on your preference, but ask about the price and exact arrangement before paying. This flexibility is useful for people who prefer not to walk every uphill stretch, though it adds to the final cost.

Guides, communication, and group handling

The guide can make or break a group day, especially when the route involves two ticketed sites and a transfer between them. The strongest praise has gone to guides who keep people updated, explain choices, and solve ticket problems.

Amy is associated with careful organization and clear handling of the day. Betty has been praised for communication, friendliness, and helping people move around the crowded Badaling section. Ding is noted for frequent updates and for explaining the different ways to reach the wall, including options available for people who initially paid only for walking.

Aria received particular praise for handling an overpayment and explaining why the ancient section had been canceled on one occasion. That is a useful sign of practical service, though it does not remove the need for you to confirm what is included before departure.

One account described a trip where the guide was not available for the full experience after the ancient stop was canceled. I would treat that as a warning about conditions rather than a reason to reject every departure, but it is worth asking direct questions at the start: Are both sections open today? Are both admission tickets included? What time and place should you return to the bus?

Timing, comfort, and what to bring

The tour begins at 10:00 am and lasts about eight hours. The drive to Badaling takes about 1.5 hours, followed by two hours at the restored wall, a bus transfer to the ancient section, 2.5 hours there, and the return drive to Beijing.

The remaining time is used for transportation and group coordination. You will not have an entire day of walking. That is a plus for anyone who wants to see the Wall without planning a complicated journey, but it is less ideal for a serious hiker.

Wear comfortable shoes. The Great Wall includes slopes and steps, and the ancient section can be rougher than the restored one. Bring cash if needed, along with anything you want for lunch, since food is not included and card payment is inconvenient in the scenic area.

A mobile ticket is accepted. You need to show your reservation to the green-vested staff at the meeting point. Most people can participate, according to the tour information, but the exact accessibility of the weathered ancient section is not described. If you have mobility concerns, ask the operator before booking.

Who should book this outing?

I would choose this tour if you want maximum variety for a low price. It works well for a first visit to Beijing when you want the famous Badaling photographs but also want to see a less-restored section. It is also useful if you prefer a guided bus rather than handling Great Wall transport on your own.

It suits visitors who are comfortable with a fixed schedule, a large group, and several hours of driving. The English-speaking guide, included tickets, and VIP passage remove several small complications. The guides named in the feedback, including Amy, Betty, Ding, and Aria, have shown the kind of practical communication that helps on a busy day.

I would hesitate if your priority is solitude, flexible timing, or a long walk. Badaling can be crowded, the bus may carry up to 47 people, and the ancient stop is not guaranteed. If the two-section promise is the main reason you are booking, confirm availability before leaving the meeting point and ask what happens if that stop is canceled.

At $20, the tour offers strong value when both wall sections operate. It gives you restored Badaling, the Hero Slab, a quieter ancient section, transport, a guide, and entry tickets in one day. Just keep your expectations practical: this is an efficient group visit, not a private walking tour.

Should you book the BusDa Great Wall tour?

Book it if you want an affordable, organized day with two contrasting Great Wall experiences. The restored Badaling section supplies the famous views and landmarks, while Yanqing’s weathered wall supplies the older, rougher atmosphere. Included admission and VIP access make the price appealing.

Before boarding, confirm that the ancient section is open, ask about the day’s return time, and carry cash, food, and good shoes. If those conditions work for you, this is a smart way to see more than one face of the Great Wall in a single Beijing outing.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at Beitucheng Subway Station in Chaoyang, Beijing.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 am.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Beijing Olympic Park.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

How long is the drive to Badaling?

The drive from the meeting point to Badaling takes about 1.5 hours.

How much time do I get at Badaling Great Wall?

You get about two hours at the restored Badaling Great Wall.

How much time do I get at the ancient Great Wall section?

You get about two and a half hours at the Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall.

Are admission tickets included?

Yes. Entry to both Badaling Great Wall and the ancient Badaling section is included. The tour also provides access to a Badaling VIP passage.

Is the cable car included?

The cable car is optional. It can be purchased separately if you choose that option.

Can I pay by credit card at the Great Wall?

Credit cards are not convenient in the Great Wall scenic area. If you do not have Alipay or WeChat, bring cash.