Badaling Great Wall

Background

Badaling lies in Badaling Town, Yanqing District, about 80 km northwest of central Beijing, a mountain stronghold on the outer approaches to Juyongguan. The wall winds along the ridge with closely spaced watchtowers; the North Eighth Tower (Beibalou) area is the highest point, about 1,015 m above sea level, with wide views. Wall, battlements, watchtowers and mountain terrain together make it a textbook example of the Ming Great Wall's form. The Badaling section was built in the Ming dynasty to command the approach to Juyongguan to its south and so shield the capital from the north, and it has been repaired many times since. In 1957 it became the first section of the Great Wall opened to visitors, and it has long remained the Wall's signature sightseeing section.

Local customs

• Walk up along the wall and, between the watchtowers, look out over the ridges and the line of the Wall
• if you have limited stamina, you can use the cable car or the slide car to go up and down
• combining your visit with Juyongguan helps you understand the layers of the Ming defence system north of the capital.

Travel tips

• Badaling and Mutianyu are different sections of the Great Wall: Mutianyu is in Huairou District, northeast of Beijing, so do not mix them up when you buy tickets or plan your trip. Ticket, cable car and slide car prices and opening hours are subject to official information. In summer, protect yourself from the sun and stay hydrated
• in winter, dress against the wind and watch for slippery paths.
• You can take the Beijing–Zhangjiakou high-speed railway to Badaling Great Wall Station, Suburban Railway Line S2 to Badaling Station, or bus 877 from Deshengmen
• by car, take the G6 Beijing–Tibet Expressway. Check official sources for specific services and times. Spring and autumn are relatively pleasant, with good mountain colours and visibility
• summer brings lush greenery but strong sun
• after winter snow the Wall has a special charm, but watch how wind, snow and ice affect the climb.