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

Badaling gives you two very different Great Wall experiences in one day: the polished, famous section with its Hero Slab, and the weathered Ancient Great Wall, where broken masonry and fewer people make the wall feel more raw. I like the clever pairing, and I like that the tour includes a VIP passage at Badaling plus entry to the ancient section.

The price is appealing at about $20, especially with round-trip transport and two admission tickets included. The main caution is that the second wall may not always operate as promised. One booking ended with only a single wall visit and no refund, so confirm the day’s plan before you leave Beijing.

Key points at a glance

• Two wall sections in one day: Visit restored Badaling and the original-looking Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall.
• A useful crowd shortcut: The BusDa group uses a VIP passage at Badaling and can reach the Hero Slab.
• About eight hours on the road: Plan for a 1.5-hour drive each way, plus time at both sites.
• English help onboard: Guides such as Amy, Betty, Ding, and Aria have been praised for clear communication and practical help.
• Cable car is optional: You can ask about buying a cable car option on the bus if you prefer not to walk all the way.
• Bring payment backup: Credit cards are not convenient in the Great Wall scenic area. Alipay, WeChat, or cash are safer choices.

Two Great Walls, two very different moods

This BusDa outing makes a strong case for seeing Badaling in pairs. The main Badaling section is restored, organized, and famous across China. It is the dramatic version most people picture when they think of the Great Wall, with broad stone paths, watchtowers, steep climbs, and a clear route toward the Hero Slab.

The Ancient Badaling section is different. Called the Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall, it is the southwestern extension of the main wall. Large-scale restoration has not reshaped it, so you can see weathering, broken stone, and structural gaps. It offers a more original look, along with quieter views and a less polished feel.

I like this contrast because it gives you more than a quick photo stop. At Badaling, you see how the wall functions as a major sightseeing site today. At the ancient section, you get a better sense of age, decay, and the wall’s rough physical character.

There is a practical catch. The two-stop schedule depends on the ancient section operating that day. One customer was told at the meeting point that only one wall would be available and said no refund was offered. That is the most serious weakness in the arrangement. If the second wall matters to you, ask the BusDa staff to confirm it before boarding.

What the $20 price really covers

At around $20 per person, this is an inexpensive way to reach the Great Wall from central Beijing. The price includes a round-trip air-conditioned bus, an English-speaking guide onboard, entry to Badaling, and entry to the Ancient Badaling section when both stops run as planned.

BusDa also covers two useful extras. Entry to the ancient wall is listed as 54 RMB per person, and the Badaling VIP passage is listed at 208 yuan per person. Those figures make the package look particularly strong on paper, though the value depends on receiving both visits.

The low price does not mean a private experience. The bus can carry up to 47 people, so this is a group outing rather than a quiet, flexible day with a personal guide. You will follow the bus timetable, meet the group again after each stop, and accept that the guide has to keep many people moving.

Lunch is not included. The information provided does not specify a restaurant stop, so bring food or plan to buy something if suitable options are available at the scenic area. Personal expenses are also extra.

Cable car access is not part of the basic walking price. The guide can help you arrange a cable car on the coach, and the exact purchase depends on the option you select. If steep climbs are a concern, ask about this before arriving rather than waiting until you are at the wall.

Starting at Beitucheng and reaching Badaling

You begin at Beitucheng Subway Station in Chaoyang District at 10:00 am. You make your own way to the meeting point, then look for staff wearing a green vest with the BusDa logo. Show your reservation, and the staff will direct you to the bus.

This system is simple, but the meeting point matters. Do not expect hotel pickup. Give yourself enough time to reach Beitucheng, locate the green-vested staff, and have your mobile ticket ready.

The drive to Badaling takes about 1.5 hours. That is a sizeable part of the day, but it is the tradeoff for reaching the wall from Beijing without arranging a private car or working out the regional transport yourself. During the ride, the guide explains how the Badaling visit works and helps with reservations for wall tickets and optional cable car services.

Several guides have received strong praise for this part of the job. Amy is described as organized and caring. Betty is praised for clear communication and helping people move through a busy site. Ding is noted for keeping everyone updated and maintaining a steady line of communication. Aria has been singled out for explaining ticket costs and arranging a refund when a customer had overpaid.

Guide quality can vary by departure, but these details show what you should expect from a good guide: instructions on the bus, help with ticket arrangements, and clear meeting directions. Keep listening. In a group this size, missing one time announcement can create a long and stressful wait.

Badaling for two hours: famous, restored, and crowded

At Badaling, you get about two hours for sightseeing. You can choose the North Line or South Line, giving you some control over how you use the limited time.

The restored wall is the more accessible introduction. Its stonework is maintained, its route is easier to follow, and its watchtowers create the classic Great Wall photographs. The setting is dramatic, but the popularity comes with crowd pressure. One practical review pointed out the need for comfortable shoes and patience, which is sound advice for a busy day here.

The VIP passage is one of the most useful features of the tour. It is intended to help the BusDa group avoid some of the standard queues and reach the wall more efficiently. It does not turn Badaling into a private site. Once you are inside, you still share the route with other visitors, especially at popular photo points.

The Hero Slab is a key target. It gives you a well-known place for photographs and a clear goal during the short visit. If your priority is the iconic Badaling picture, use your time carefully and follow the guide’s directions rather than wandering far from the meeting route.

You can choose the North Line or South Line, but the supplied details do not say which route is easier or how far you can walk on each. Ask the guide for current advice when you arrive. The wall involves slopes and steps, so comfortable shoes matter more than stylish ones.

Two hours sounds generous until you account for walking, photos, crowd movement, and returning to the parking lot on time. I would treat the first few minutes as orientation, then decide how far you want to go. If you plan to use the cable car, confirm where it fits into the schedule before committing.

The Ancient Badaling section for 2.5 hours

After the main Badaling visit, the bus takes you to the ancient section. You have about 2.5 hours there, slightly longer than at the restored wall.

The Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall is valuable because it has not been heavily rebuilt. Its weathered masonry and visible structural damage show a less controlled version of the wall. Instead of neat stonework and a highly managed route, you might find rough surfaces, incomplete sections, and traces of long exposure to the elements.

That makes this stop better for people who care about atmosphere and physical history than for anyone seeking a polished attraction. The scenery is described as beautiful, and the lower visitor numbers can make it easier to pause, look across the ridges, and take photographs without the same level of crowd pressure.

The word incomplete is important. You should not expect the ancient section to offer the smooth paths and finished appearance found at the main Badaling site. The very qualities that make it interesting can also make it less comfortable. Watch your footing, stay aware of the route, and follow any directions from the guide.

The stop is also the reason this tour is more appealing than a basic Badaling transfer. You see the restored wall in its public, modern form, then compare it with an older section where weathering remains visible. For a low-cost day trip, that is a useful lesson in how restoration changes a historic site.

At the end of the visit, the guide gathers the group and leads you back to the bus for the return journey to Beijing. The stated end point is Beijing Olympic Park, not your hotel. The remaining time in the roughly eight-hour experience goes toward driving and group transfers.

Transport, group size, and the rhythm of the day

The air-conditioned bus is the main reason to choose this tour. You avoid arranging separate transport to two wall sections, and you can rest between visits. The downside is a fixed schedule. The bus cannot wait indefinitely for a late walker, and the group has to move together between the parking area and the attractions.

A maximum of 47 people makes this a fairly large group. That can work well if you want a low price and simple logistics. It is less suitable if you want long stops, personal history lessons, or the freedom to change your route at the last minute.

The exclusive BusDa parking area is meant to make transfers easier. In practical terms, that should reduce some walking and confusion around the bus. Still, keep your phone charged, hold on to the guide’s contact instructions, and note the meeting time at each stop.

Payment deserves attention. Credit cards are not convenient in the Great Wall scenic area. If you do not have Alipay or WeChat, bring cash. This is especially important if you may buy a cable car ride, food, drinks, or other personal items.

The mobile ticket is convenient at the start. You can show your reservation to the green-vested staff rather than handling a paper voucher. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity is near public transport.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this outing if you want to see two versions of the Great Wall without paying for a private vehicle. It suits first-time Beijing visitors who value simple transport, a low price, and a guide who keeps the day moving.

It also suits you if you want more than the restored Badaling experience. The ancient section adds texture and contrast, especially for anyone interested in weathered ruins and quieter viewpoints.

You should think twice if you dislike group schedules, steep walking, or crowded attractions. Badaling can be crowded, the day includes long bus rides, and the wall is not a flat sightseeing path. The package also has a real reliability concern because the ancient stop has reportedly been cancelled on at least one departure.

The guide can make a major difference. Amy, Betty, Ding, and Aria have each been praised for organization, communication, care, or ticket help. Do not expect the same person every time, but do expect the guide to be your main source of timing and practical instructions.

Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 10:00 am start. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded. Keep that deadline in mind, particularly if your Beijing plans are still shifting.

Should you book the BusDa two-wall tour?

Book it if the ancient section is running, you are comfortable with a large group, and you want strong value for a full day at the Great Wall. The pairing of restored Badaling and the weathered Ancient Badaling section is the central attraction, while the included admissions and bus make the $20 price hard to ignore.

Before boarding, confirm three things: both wall sections are open, the return point is Beijing Olympic Park, and the cable car cost and arrangement if you want one. Bring cash or mobile payment, wear sturdy shoes, pack lunch or snacks, and listen closely for meeting times.

If BusDa confirms both stops, this is a practical, budget-friendly way to compare the Great Wall’s polished public face with its rougher, older remains. If only Badaling is operating, the value becomes less certain, and you should ask about the refund policy before accepting the change.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Beitucheng Subway Station in Chaoyang District, Beijing. You must reach the meeting point on your own.

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. The schedule includes roughly 1.5 hours of driving to Badaling, about two hours at Badaling, about 2.5 hours at the ancient section, and the return journey.

Are both Great Wall admission tickets included?

Yes. Entry to Badaling Great Wall and the Ancient Badaling Great Wall is included when both stops operate as scheduled.

Is the cable car included?

A cable car is available only if you select that option. It can be arranged based on your request, and the basic walking option does not automatically include it.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and personal expenses are not included.

What payment should I bring?

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

How many people can join the bus?

The activity has a maximum group size of 47 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.