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

The clever idea here is seeing two very different Great Walls in one day. Badaling gives you the grand, restored towers and the famous Hero Slab, while the Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall offers weathered stonework, fewer people, and a more original feel. I like the free entry to both sections and the private BusDa parking area, which cuts down on some of the usual transport hassle.

I also like the VIP passage at Badaling, included without the stated 208-yuan charge, and the clear onboard help with tickets and route choices. Guides named Amy, Betty, Aria, and Ding have been praised for keeping people informed and helping with the busy wall. The main concern is that the ancient section may be cancelled in some circumstances, so you should confirm the day’s plan before setting out.

Key points at a glance

• Two wall sections in one day: Compare restored Badaling with the weathered Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall.
• About two hours at Badaling: Choose the North Line or South Line, with a cable car available as an optional purchase.
• Two and a half hours at the ancient wall: See a less-renovated section with visible aging and structural wear.
• Useful access perks: Entry to both sections and the Badaling VIP passage are included.
• Guides who stay in touch: Amy, Betty, Aria, and Ding are noted for clear directions, ticket help, and group updates.
• Bring cash or mobile payment: Credit cards are not convenient in the Great Wall areas.

Why two sections of the Great Wall make sense

Many Beijing visitors face a choice between the polished Badaling section and a rougher, quieter stretch of wall. This tour removes that choice by placing both on the same day.

Badaling is the famous showpiece. It is the section most popular with Chinese visitors, and its restored towers make it easy to understand the scale of the defensive system. The stone paths, towers, and mountain views give you the classic Great Wall scene. You can also reach the Hero Slab, a well-known photo stop.

The ancient section offers a different lesson. Called the Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall, it is the southwestern extension of Badaling. It has not had large-scale renovation, so you can see weathering and structural imperfections rather than a carefully rebuilt monument.

I like this contrast. At Badaling, you get the dramatic, organized version of the wall. At the ancient section, you see what age and exposure have done to the masonry. The experience is less about checking off one famous viewpoint and more about comparing two stages of preservation.

There is a practical catch. The two sections are not equally predictable. One rating reports that the ancient wall portion was cancelled and that only one wall was visited. The provider apologized and said steps would be taken to improve group organization. That does not mean cancellation is routine, but it does mean you should treat the second section as an important possibility to confirm rather than an absolute certainty.

Starting at Beitucheng Station

The meeting point is Beitucheng Subway Station in Chaoyang, with departure at 10:00 am. You make your own way there and show your reservation to a staff member wearing a green vest with the BusDa logo.

This arrangement is simple, but you need to arrive with enough time to find the correct staff member. The service is designed around a group departure, so do not assume the bus can wait if you are late. Your mobile ticket is useful here because confirmation is received at booking and the reservation can be shown on your phone.

The bus is air-conditioned and carries up to 47 people. That maximum is large enough to feel like a proper group outing, not a private tour. In return, the cost is very low at $20 per person, and the bus removes the need to arrange a separate long-distance transfer to the wall.

The ride to Badaling takes about 1.5 hours. During the journey, the English-speaking guide explains how to use the Badaling area and helps with reservations for available tickets. This is particularly useful if you are considering the cable car or need help choosing a route.

Guides have received especially strong praise for communication. Betty is described as friendly and calm while leading people through a crowded setting. Ding is noted for frequent updates and an open line of communication. Aria handled an overpayment by arranging a refund and explained why the ancient section was cancelled on one occasion. Amy has also been singled out for organization and care.

Those details matter because the wall itself is only part of the challenge. The movement between meeting point, bus, entrance areas, routes, and parking lots can be confusing. A guide who gives clear instructions can save you time and prevent missed departures.

Badaling Great Wall: the grand, restored section

You have about two hours at Badaling. The guide directs you toward the parking area and explains the available choices before you set off.

You can choose the North Line or the South Line. The supplied information does not specify a fixed route for the whole group, so your experience depends on the choice you make and the day’s conditions. The North Line and South Line offer different ways to spend your limited time, and the guide can help you understand the options.

Badaling is spectacular, but it is also the busier section. The tour is aimed at helping you avoid some of that congestion through a VIP passage for BusDa passengers. The stated market price for this passage is 208 yuan per person, and it is included here without that extra charge.

That does not make the wall empty. It simply gives you a more direct way through the entrance process. Once you are on the wall, you should still expect other people, especially at the most famous viewpoints and near the Hero Slab.

The Hero Slab is a useful target if you want one of the classic Badaling photos. You should keep an eye on the clock, though. Two hours can pass quickly once you have stopped for views, photographs, and the climb between towers.

A cable car is optional and can be purchased according to your request. It is not part of the standard walking experience unless you select that option. The price is not provided, so ask the guide about the current cost before buying.

I would think carefully about the cable car if you have limited stamina, but the available information does not give enough detail to judge exactly which parts it covers or how much walking remains. The guide can explain the current choices on the day.

Badaling suits you best if you want the classic Great Wall image, clear access, and dramatic views. It is less suited to you if your main goal is quiet stonework and a sense of abandonment. That is precisely why the second stop adds value.

The ancient wall: weathered stone and fewer people

After about two hours at Badaling, the bus takes you to the Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall. You have about 2.5 hours here, giving this quieter section more time than the restored wall.

Historically referred to as the Ruined Great Wall, this area is the southwestern extension of Badaling. It has not undergone large-scale renovation, so the wall keeps visible traces of weathering and structural imperfections.

That difference changes how you look at it. At restored Badaling, you focus on the scale of the fortifications and the mountain views. At the ancient section, you pay closer attention to the surviving stone, uneven surfaces, and signs of age.

The supplied details describe this stretch as less crowded and scenic. That makes it appealing if you want a slower visit and a more original appearance. It also means you should not expect the same polished paths and carefully restored look found at the main Badaling site.

You need comfortable shoes. One rating gives this advice directly and adds a warning about patience at the crowded destination. Even if the ancient section is quieter, Great Wall visits involve walking on sloping and uneven surfaces. The tour information does not provide a specific accessibility description, so anyone concerned about steep or rough ground should ask the provider before booking.

The longer 2.5-hour stop is a good use of time if the section is operating. You can take in the views without rushing from one photo point to the next. It also helps balance the busy first stop with a quieter second half.

The weakness is reliability. One customer arrived expecting two types of wall and found that only one was available. The tour provider apologized, and another guide helped explain the situation, but the information supplied does not state a guaranteed alternative or automatic refund for a cancelled ancient-wall visit. If seeing the unrestored section is your main reason for booking, contact BusDa or Yida Travel before the day of departure.

The return to Beijing and the real length of the day

After the ancient wall, the guide leads the group back to the parking area and you take the bus to Beijing. The tour ends at Beijing Olympic Park, rather than at the starting station.

The listed duration is about eight hours, with the remaining time used for road travel and transfers. The 1.5-hour outbound drive alone takes a meaningful part of the day, and the return journey is also included within the overall schedule.

This is not a leisurely countryside outing with long breaks. It is a tightly planned wall day built around two major stops. You should expect the group to move on when the scheduled time ends, even if you would like another half hour for photographs.

Ending at Olympic Park can be convenient if you plan to continue sightseeing in that area. It is less convenient if your hotel is elsewhere in Beijing, since you will need to arrange your own onward transport. The supplied information does not include a hotel drop-off.

What the $20 price really buys you

At $20 per person, this is strong value if both wall sections operate. The price includes round-trip downtown transfer by air-conditioned bus, an English-speaking guide onboard, entry to Badaling, entry to the ancient Badaling section, and the VIP passage at Badaling.

The ancient section’s stated admission value is 54 RMB per person. The Badaling VIP passage is given a market price of 208 yuan per person. You should still check the exact inclusions on your confirmation, but the listed package offers more than simple transport.

Lunch and personal expenses are not included. No lunch arrangement is specified, so you should plan for that gap rather than expect a meal to be provided. You also need money for the cable car if you want it.

Payment deserves attention. Credit cards are not convenient in the Great Wall scenic areas. If you do not have Alipay or WeChat, bring cash. That small step can prevent a frustrating problem when buying an optional service or paying for something personal.

The price is less attractive if the ancient stop is cancelled and no refund or alternative is offered. That is the main value risk. For a budget-minded visitor who mainly wants transport and access to Badaling, the tour still makes sense. For someone paying specifically to see both types of wall, confirmation is essential.

Group size, guide service, and daily comfort

The maximum group size is 47 people. That is a fairly large group, so do not expect a private pace or personal guiding at every tower. The trade-off is an affordable price and a guide who can handle ticket instructions, departures, and route choices.

The best feedback centers on organization and communication. Amy is praised for arranging the day well and caring for the group. Betty is described as especially helpful around the busy Great Wall. Ding is praised for efficient updates, and Aria is credited with explaining a cancellation and refunding an overpayment.

Those strengths are most useful during transitions. Listen carefully when the guide gives the return time and parking instructions. Keep your phone charged, since mobile communication may be important if you become separated from the group.

Wear comfortable shoes. Bring cash if needed, water and personal snacks if you want them, and clothing suited to the day’s conditions. The tour information confirms that most people can participate, but it does not promise easy access for every mobility level.

Who should book this Great Wall day

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a low-cost way to reach Badaling without arranging a private car. It is also a good fit if you like the idea of comparing a restored monument with an aged, less-renovated section.

It suits first-time visitors who value structure. The guide helps with entry procedures, ticket choices, and the movement between sites. It also suits people who want the option of walking or buying a cable car ticket on the coach.

I would be more cautious if you dislike fixed schedules, large groups, or crowded attractions. Badaling is popular, and two hours there may feel short. You should also reconsider if the ancient section is the only part that interests you, since that stop has been cancelled on at least one reported occasion.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted, based on local time.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want maximum Great Wall variety for a low price and can accept a group schedule. The restored Badaling section gives you the famous views, while the ancient wall adds a quieter and more weathered side of the site. Included admissions, onboard help, and the VIP passage improve the value.

Before paying, ask whether both wall sections are running on your date. If the answer is clear and you are comfortable carrying cash, wearing good shoes, and ending at Olympic Park, this is a practical Beijing day trip. If you need a guaranteed ancient-wall visit, a private schedule, or a hotel return, choose a more flexible option.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Beitucheng Subway Station in Chaoyang, Beijing.

What time does the tour start?

The stated 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 experience lasts about eight hours, including travel between Beijing and the Great Wall areas.

How long is the drive to Badaling?

The outbound drive to Badaling takes about 1.5 hours.

How much time do I get at Badaling Great Wall?

You get about two hours at Badaling Great Wall.

Can I choose between different Badaling routes?

Yes. At Badaling, you can choose the North Line or the South Line.

Is the cable car included?

The cable car is optional. You can purchase it based on your request, and the supplied information does not give its price.

Are entrance tickets included?

Yes. Entry to Badaling Great Wall and the ancient Badaling Great Wall is included. The VIP passage at Badaling is also listed as included.

Can I pay by credit card at the Great Wall?

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