Private Tour: Badaling Great Wall and Kangxi Grasslands on Horseback

The unusual appeal here is the sharp change of scene: Badaling Great Wall gives you stone towers, steep climbs, and wide mountain views, while Kangxi Grasslands trades the crowds and steps for open ground and a horse beneath you. I like that you get two very different Beijing-area experiences in one private day.

I also like the included hotel pickup, buffet lunch, bottled water, and one hour of riding. A private group of up to 10 people gives you more control than a large coach tour, and riders of different skill levels can take part. The main caution is the horse-riding operation: one account describes a delayed, improvised arrangement that required guide Kevin to step in and sort things out.

Key points to know

• Badaling is the polished Great Wall choice: You’ll visit the best-preserved and most popular section, with about two hours for walking and views.
• The day changes pace completely: After the wall, you head to Kangxi Grasslands for one hour on horseback.
• A private group keeps the outing flexible: Only your party and guide take part, with group size limited to 10 people.
• The price covers the costly basics: At $68 per person, hotel transport, guide, lunch, bottled water, vehicle, admissions, and one hour of riding are included.
• Cable cars and extra riding cost more: The cable car is optional, and additional horseback time is not part of the listed price.
• The ride needs sensible expectations: Course staff manage the horses, and you must remain on the designated course.

Two very different Beijing day trips in one

Many Great Wall outings focus on Badaling alone. This one adds a second stop that feels almost unrelated: the open Kangxi Grasslands, where the main activity is horseback riding rather than sightseeing from a watchtower.

That contrast is the real reason to consider the tour. Badaling gives you Beijing’s most accessible and carefully developed wall experience. Kangxi gives you space, fresh air, and a short taste of riding on a broad prairie course. You are not simply adding another monument to the day. You are changing the rhythm of the trip.

The tour lasts about nine hours, including pickup, driving, sightseeing, lunch, and the riding stop. You should think of it as a full day outside central Beijing, not a quick morning excursion. The private format helps, especially for families or small groups that want to move together without fitting into a large bus schedule.

At $68 per person, the value is strong on paper. You receive an air-conditioned vehicle, hotel pickup and drop-off, a professional guide, bottled water, lunch, admissions, and one hour on horseback. The value becomes less certain if you want a longer ride, a cable-car trip at Badaling, or a dedicated riding instructor, since those cost extra or are not included.

Badaling Great Wall: the first two hours

Your guide and private driver pick you up at your Beijing hotel in the morning and take you first to Badaling. This is the most popular and best-preserved section of the wall, and it is the part most suited to a first visit if you want a clear view of the restored towers, parapets, and mountain setting.

Badaling is not a quiet, rough-edged section of the wall. It is the developed choice, with facilities and the option to use a cable car. That makes it easier to reach the higher points, but it also means this is not the place to expect solitude. You are choosing convenience, strong views, and a classic introduction to the Great Wall.

You have about two hours here. That is enough time to walk along part of the wall, take in the towers, and reach a high viewpoint if your pace is steady. The itinerary highlights the Sun-view Tower, described as the highest point of this section, where you can look across the parapet and surrounding mountains.

The wall is physically demanding in places. Even if you take the cable car, you still need to walk on uneven stone and handle stair sections. The tour asks for a moderate level of fitness, so bring shoes with a firm sole and do not treat the wall as a flat promenade.

You can walk up toward the tower or ride the cable car. The cable-car fee is not included, so budget for it separately if you prefer to save energy for the riding stop. The tradeoff is simple: walking gives you more direct contact with the wall, while the cable car can help if your group includes children, older adults, or anyone who wants to limit steep climbing.

Badaling’s fame also has a practical benefit. Your guide can focus on helping you understand the site and move through the visit efficiently. A private guide is useful here because two hours can disappear quickly if you stop often for photos or spend too long deciding which route to take.

Why the wall visit works well in a private tour

A private format matters most when your group has mixed energy levels. One person may want to climb farther along the wall, while another may prefer the cable car and a shorter walk. With only your party, you can discuss the pace with your guide rather than being tied to a large group.

The group size is one to 10 people. That is small enough for personal attention, but it is still worth checking your final booking details if you are traveling with several people. The private arrangement also suits families because children can stay with their own adults and do not need to match the rhythm of strangers.

The wall portion is the strongest and most dependable part of this outing. One account of the experience described the Badaling visit as better than expected, even though the horse-riding arrangements caused trouble later. That is useful perspective. Badaling is the anchor of the day, and the grasslands add the adventurous element.

You should also keep the timing in mind. A two-hour wall visit does not give you time to explore every section of Badaling. It gives you a focused visit before lunch and the drive onward. If your only goal is a long Great Wall hike, choose a tour built around the wall alone. This excursion is designed for variety.

Lunch before the horses

After Badaling, you have a buffet lunch before continuing to Kangxi Grasslands. The meal is included, which makes the $68 price easier to judge because you do not need to arrange a separate restaurant stop during a busy day.

A buffet is practical for a private group with different tastes. You can choose your own amount and speed, and a vegetarian option is available if you request it when booking. Do not wait until the morning of the tour to mention dietary needs. The supplied information specifically asks you to advise the operator in advance.

Lunch also gives you a useful pause between two active stops. The wall involves climbing and walking, while the horse ride requires you to sit upright and follow instructions. You will likely appreciate not having to rush directly from one activity into the next.

The exact restaurant details and menu are not specified, so keep expectations sensible. This is an included meal that supports the day’s schedule, not a food-focused excursion.

Kangxi Grasslands and the one-hour ride

Kangxi Grasslands is described as an original ecological prairie area used as a summer resort and a standard race course. The setting offers a striking change from the stone wall. Instead of towers and stairs, you get open grassland and a marked riding course.

The included activity is one hour of horseback riding. A selection of horses is available, and riders of all levels can take part. The course staff provide instructions on riding at an appropriate pace, while your guide helps arrange the ride.

That wording matters. This is a recreational horseback outing, not a private lesson or a long trail expedition. If you have never ridden before, you can still participate, but you should expect basic guidance and controlled riding on the course rather than advanced teaching.

The formal horseback-riding instructor is not included in the price. Course staff do provide instruction about pace, but the tour does not promise a dedicated instructor for your group. If you are a complete beginner or nervous around horses, ask what assistance is available when arranging the ride.

You must stay on the course. The rules specifically require riders to remain within the designated area and not switch to horses outside the course’s management, insurance, and safety system. Follow the staff closely. The instruction to stand on the horse’s left front side when mounting is also important, especially if you have little riding experience.

Children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult. Children under seven ride with an adult and are free. Those rules make the activity more suitable for a family group than a solo beginner who wants to learn independently.

There is also an option to stroll on a camel at the grasslands, but the included features specifically cover one hour of horseback riding. Do not assume a camel ride is part of your package. Ask about any extra activity and its price before taking part.

The biggest practical concern: horse-riding arrangements

The one clear warning comes from the riding stop. A customer account describes arriving at a local riding place only after considerable disagreement, then driving elsewhere and waiting for horses to become available. The same account credits guide Kevin with going beyond his basic role to repair the situation and make the day work.

That experience does not prove every departure will run the same way, but it gives you a useful question to ask before booking or at pickup: confirm where the riding will take place, how long the ride will last, and what happens if the first riding facility is unavailable.

This is especially important because the tour description presents the grassland riding as a central part of the day. Badaling is a fixed attraction with a clear entrance. Horse arrangements can be more dependent on local availability and course management.

I would book this tour for the combination, not for a guaranteed polished equestrian program. If riding is the main purpose of your day, a dedicated horseback operator may be a safer choice. If riding is a fun extra after the wall, the risk is easier to accept, particularly because you have a private guide who can help resolve problems.

The overall rating is 4.3 from three reviews, so there is not a large body of feedback to rely on. That number suggests a generally positive experience, but the limited sample means you should pay attention to the specific conditions rather than treating the rating as a guarantee.

Transport, fitness, and what to bring

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with an air-conditioned vehicle and bottled water. That removes one of the main hassles of combining Badaling with a more distant rural stop. You do not need to arrange separate transport between the wall, lunch, and the grasslands.

The nine-hour schedule includes a lot of movement. You should be comfortable with a full day away from your hotel, walking on the wall, sitting in a vehicle, and riding a horse. Moderate physical fitness is recommended.

Wear practical shoes for Badaling. The wall has stairs and uneven surfaces, and you will want secure footwear before getting on a horse. Comfortable clothing is sensible, but avoid anything that restricts movement or makes it difficult to sit securely.

Bring patience as well as water. Bottled water is included, but the day combines two stops with different operating conditions. The wall is a major attraction with established facilities, while the riding stop may involve waiting or adjustments.

Who should book this $68 private tour?

I think this tour is best for a small group that wants a broad day rather than a single polished attraction. Families can benefit from the private vehicle, included lunch, flexible group setting, and child rules that allow younger children to ride with an adult.

It also suits first-time Beijing visitors who want to see Badaling but do not want to spend their entire day on the wall. The grasslands give you a different view of the area and make the outing feel more varied.

The tour is less suitable if you want a serious riding lesson, a long trail ride, or a quiet Great Wall walk. The ride lasts one hour, the instructor fee is not included, and Badaling is the most popular section rather than an off-the-beaten-path choice.

At $68, I see good value in the included transport, guide, lunch, admissions, and one hour of riding. The price works best when you use every included part. Add the cable car, extra riding time, or other optional charges, and the final cost will rise.

Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, so keep that deadline in mind.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want Badaling plus a short horse ride, value private transportation, and are comfortable with a little uncertainty around local riding arrangements. The wall visit is the reliable centerpiece, and the grasslands add a memorable change of pace.

Before you commit, confirm the riding location, the one-hour limit, and any extra fees. If those details suit your group, $68 is a fair price for a full day with lunch and transport included. If your priority is either a long Great Wall hike or high-quality equestrian instruction, choose a more specialized tour instead.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately nine hours, including pickup, transport, sightseeing, lunch, and the horseback-riding stop.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Beijing are included.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group and guide participate, with group size limited to one to 10 people.

How much time is spent at Badaling Great Wall?

The planned visit to Badaling lasts about two hours.

Is admission to Badaling included?

Yes. The Badaling admission ticket is included. The cable-car fee is not included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is included, and a vegetarian option is available if you request it when booking.

How long is the horseback ride?

One hour of horseback riding is included.

Can beginners ride the horses?

Yes. Riders of all levels are welcome. Course staff provide instruction about riding at an appropriate pace.

Are children allowed on the horseback ride?

Children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult. Children under seven are free and ride with an adult.

Can I ride for more than one hour?

Yes, but any additional hour of horseback riding costs extra.