Badaling Great Wall
八达岭长城
The most famous section of the Great Wall, a World Cultural Heritage site, where Ming-dynasty brick walls rise and fall along the mountain ridges. It is a must-see on any trip to Beijing.
Badaling Great Wall lies in the southern part of Yanqing District. It is the best-preserved and earliest-opened section of the Ming Great Wall. The pass, inscribed 'Key to the Northern Gate,' guards the approach beyond Juyong Pass, and the stretch from North Tower 1 to North Tower 8 is the most spectacular. You can walk, or ride a cable car or toboggan up and down. The whole visit takes 2 to 3 hours. Tickets must be booked online with real-name registration. Arrive early or visit on a weekday during holidays. From downtown, take the S2 suburban line or the Beijing–Zhangjiakou high-speed railway to Badaling Great Wall station, or take express bus 877.
Opening hours
Apr–Oct approx. 06:30–19:00; shorter hours in winter (check official site)
Nearby sights
- Great Wall Museum of China
- Badaling Safari World
- Chadao Fortress
- Badaling Ancient Great Wall
- Juyongguan Great Wall
- Beijing Expo Park
- Liugou Village
- Yeyahu (Wild Duck Lake) National Wetland Park