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

The clever idea here is simple: two very different Great Wall sections in one day. You get the restored Badaling wall, with its broad paths and famous Hero Slab, then the weathered Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall, where the stone keeps its rough, original character. I like the free entry to both sections and the BusDa-only parking arrangement, which cuts down on some of the usual fuss.

I also like the practical help from the English-speaking guides. Amy has handled the day with care, Betty has helped people move through crowded Badaling, and Ding has kept everyone updated while explaining transport and climbing choices. The main catch is that the ancient section can be cancelled, and one booking ended up visiting only one wall without a refund. That risk matters if seeing both sections is your main reason for booking.

Key points to know before you book

• Two wall sections in one day: See the restored Badaling Great Wall and the less-renovated Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall.
• About eight hours total: The day begins at Beitucheng Subway Station at 10:00 a.m. and ends at Beijing Olympic Park.
• Useful VIP access: BusDa includes a VIP passage at Badaling and access to the Hero Slab area.
• Free admission included: Entry to both wall sections is covered, while the cable car costs extra unless you choose that option.
• Large but manageable group: The bus can carry up to 47 people, so clear meeting instructions and guide communication matter.
• Carry cash: Credit cards are not convenient in the Great Wall scenic area. Alipay, WeChat, or Chinese currency will serve you better.

Why two Great Wall sections make sense

Badaling is the famous, polished version of the Great Wall. It is the section most widely visited by Chinese sightseers, and you can expect a strong sense of scale, restored stonework, watchtowers, and plenty of people. It gives you the classic photograph and the clearest introduction to how the wall looks after major restoration.

The second stop changes the mood. Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall, historically called the Ruined Great Wall, is the southwestern extension of the better-known Badaling section. It has not received large-scale renovation, so you see weathered masonry and visible breaks in the structure. The result is less tidy but more direct. You can look at the wall as an old defensive structure rather than only as a carefully repaired monument.

I like this pairing because it gives you a useful comparison. At Badaling, you see the Great Wall as a major public monument with organized access. At the ancient section, you see what age and weather have done to the stone. If you have only one day near Beijing, that contrast adds real value to the outing.

There is also a practical benefit. You do not need to arrange separate transport to two distant sites or work out the transfer between them yourself. The same bus and guide carry you from one section to the other.

Starting at Beitucheng at 10:00 a.m.

You make your own way to Beitucheng Subway Station in Chaoyang. Look for staff wearing a green vest with the BusDa logo, then show your reservation before boarding. This is an important moment to handle calmly. The meeting point is not a hotel pickup, so you need to allow time to reach the station and find the correct staff member.

The bus departs for Badaling after everyone boards. The drive takes about 1.5 hours. During the ride, the guide explains how the Badaling visit works and helps arrange Great Wall tickets and optional services. This is where the tour earns its keep for anyone who does not want to sort out the site alone.

An air-conditioned bus is included for the round trip. The vehicle is shared, and the group can reach 47 people. That means you gain low-cost transport and a guide, but you should not expect the pace or personal attention of a private tour.

The tour ends at Beijing Olympic Park, not back at the original subway station. Keep that in mind when planning dinner or an evening activity. The route is convenient if you want to continue around the Olympic Park area, but less convenient if your hotel is elsewhere in Beijing.

Badaling Great Wall: two hours for the famous section

You receive about two hours at Badaling. That is enough for a focused visit, but it is not a full-day exploration of every path. You can choose the North Line or South Line, depending on your interests and energy.

The North Line is generally associated with the best-known viewpoints and the Hero Slab, a popular place for photographs. The South Line offers a different walk and can suit you if you want to move away from the most familiar route. The guide can explain the choices during the drive and help you make a workable plan.

The wall here is restored and easier to read as a complete structure. You can see the wall climbing over the ridges, with watchtowers placed along its route. The setting provides the big visual payoff, but the area can be crowded, especially during busy periods. One direct piece of advice from the experience is to wear comfortable shoes and bring patience. The surface is not a casual city pavement, and stopping for photos can slow movement.

BusDa includes a VIP passage at Badaling, described as having a market value of 208 yuan per person. The point is not luxury. It is a quicker, more organized way to enter the attraction and reach the sightseeing area. The Hero Slab access is another useful feature if you want the recognizable Badaling photo.

A cable car is optional. You can buy it based on your preference, with the guide helping arrange the choice on the bus. This matters if you have limited mobility, dislike steep climbs, or simply want to save energy for the second wall. The supplied details do not promise that the cable car is part of the basic $20 fare, so treat it as an extra cost.

Two hours can feel short if you want both a long walk and many photographs. It works better if you decide in advance whether your priority is the North Line, the South Line, the Hero Slab, or a cable car-assisted visit. Trying to cover every option may leave you hurrying back to the parking lot.

The transfer to Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall

After Badaling, the guide gathers the group and leads you to the parking area. The bus then continues to the ancient section. This transfer is one of the tour’s strongest practical features. Without organized transport, fitting both areas into one day would be awkward.

The ancient wall is not simply a second version of Badaling. Its appeal comes from the missing polish. Weathering, uneven construction, and damaged sections show how the wall has changed over time. You may find the setting quieter and the experience less controlled than at the restored site, but those qualities are exactly why the stop is included.

You have about 2.5 hours here. That gives you more breathing room than the first stop. You can walk at a slower pace, study the stonework, and spend time with the views without treating each stop as a quick photo call.

The phrase incomplete can sound disappointing, but here it explains the character of the place. Do not arrive expecting broad restored paths and a perfectly continuous wall. The ancient section is valuable because it retains visible imperfections. You should choose this tour only if that difference appeals to you.

After the visit, the bus returns toward central Beijing. The day is listed at about eight hours, with the remaining time used for driving. Traffic can affect the exact return time, so avoid booking a tight evening reservation.

What the $20 price really buys you

At $20 per person, this is a strong value if both wall sections operate as planned. The fare includes downtown transfer by air-conditioned bus, an English-speaking guide on board, entry to Badaling, entry to the ancient section, the VIP passage at Badaling, and the listed access to the Hero Slab area.

The admission alone gives the fare useful weight. Badaling entry is listed at 54 RMB per person, while the VIP passage is described as having a market value of 208 yuan. The exact worth depends on how the access is handled on the day, but the package is plainly aimed at saving you the trouble and separate expense of arranging each part.

Lunch is not included. Personal spending is also extra, as is the cable car if you select it. Since credit cards are not convenient in the scenic area, bring cash unless you already use Alipay or WeChat. This is a small preparation step that can prevent a frustrating afternoon.

The low price comes with tradeoffs. You share the bus with a large group, follow a fixed schedule, and have limited control if conditions change. You also have no guarantee in the supplied details that a cancelled ancient-wall visit will receive a refund. For a private, slow-paced Great Wall day, this is not the right product. For a budget-minded visit with transport and admission arranged, it makes sense.

Guides can shape the whole day

The guide’s role is more than pointing toward the bus. On this outing, the guide explains ticket choices, keeps the group moving, and helps you understand the two sections before you arrive.

Amy has been praised for organizing the day and caring for the group. Betty has been especially useful in communicating clearly through crowded Badaling and helping people move around the site. Ding has kept everyone updated and explained several ways to reach the wall, including options available on the coach even when you have prepaid only for walking.

Aria’s handling of an overpayment is also worth noting. She refunded an excess ticket charge and explained why the ancient-wall visit had been cancelled on one occasion. That does not remove the disappointment of losing a planned stop, but clear explanations and proper handling of money matter on a group tour.

The service is not perfectly consistent. One booking resulted in only one wall being visited, with no refund, and the lack of the second section was the central complaint. I would ask about operating conditions on the morning of the tour and keep your expectations practical. The two-stop plan is the attraction, but it is still subject to change.

How to prepare for the walking

Wear shoes with a firm sole. Comfortable footwear is not a luxury here, especially if you plan to walk both sections rather than use the cable car at Badaling.

Bring water, cash, and a phone with your reservation available. The mobile ticket is convenient, but you still need to show it to the green-vested staff at the meeting point. A small amount of patience helps too, since the popular restored wall can be crowded and the group must stay on schedule.

You should also plan your energy. Badaling comes first, with only about two hours to choose a route, take photos, and return to the bus. The ancient section follows, with about 2.5 hours for a slower visit. If you spend all your strength at the first stop, the rougher second section may feel harder than expected.

The tour suits people who want a clear, affordable structure. It is a good match for a first Great Wall visit, a short Beijing stay, or anyone who wants to compare restored and weathered masonry in one outing. It is less suitable if you want solitude, a private guide, a long uninterrupted hike, or a flexible return time.

Should you book this Great Wall day?

I would book it if your goal is to see two distinct parts of the Great Wall without arranging transport yourself. The $20 fare is hard to fault when it includes bus service, guide support, and admission to both sections. The VIP passage at Badaling adds useful convenience, while the ancient wall offers a more unusual experience than a standard Badaling visit.

I would hesitate if your schedule cannot absorb a possible change. The ancient section has been cancelled for at least one booking, and the group format gives you little control if the plan changes. Confirm the day’s operating details when you meet the guide, carry cash, and accept that the restored wall may be crowded.

For most budget-conscious visitors, the best reason to choose this tour is the contrast: one Great Wall famous for access and scale, followed by one that shows age and damage more plainly. That is a worthwhile use of one Beijing day, provided you are comfortable with a large group and a fixed route.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Beitucheng Subway Station in Chaoyang, Beijing. You should find staff wearing a green vest with the BusDa logo and show your reservation.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 10:00 a.m.

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 transport between central Beijing and the two Great Wall sections.

How long is the drive to Badaling?

The drive from the meeting point to Badaling takes about 1.5 hours.

How much time do I get at Badaling Great Wall?

You receive about two hours at Badaling and can choose between the North Line and South Line.

How much time do I get at the ancient Great Wall?

The stated sightseeing time at Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall is about 2.5 hours.

Are entrance tickets included?

Yes. Entry to Badaling Great Wall and Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall is included.

Is the cable car included?

The cable car is optional. It can be purchased according to your preference, and it is not part of the standard included services unless you select that option.

Should I bring cash?

Yes. Credit cards are not convenient in the Great Wall scenic area. Bring cash if you do not use Alipay or WeChat.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.