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

The clever part of this Beijing day trip is that you see two very different Great Wall sections in one outing. Badaling gives you the famous, restored ramparts and Hero Slab, while the Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall offers weathered stone, fewer people, and a more original feel. I like the exclusive parking arrangement and the included admission to both sites. I also like having guides such as Amy, Betty, Aria, or Ding to sort out tickets and keep a large group moving.

The main caution is that the ancient section may not always operate as advertised. One booking resulted in only one wall visit, with no refund, so you should confirm the day’s plan before setting out. Badaling can also be crowded, and the trip requires comfortable shoes, patience, and cash if you cannot pay with Alipay or WeChat.

Key points to know before booking

• Two wall sections in one day: See restored Badaling and the weathered Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall.
• About 4.5 hours on the walls: You get roughly two hours at Badaling and two and a half hours at the ancient section.
• VIP access at busy Badaling: The tour includes a special passage intended to help you avoid some regular queues.
• Tickets are included: Both Great Wall admission fees are covered, while the cable car costs extra unless you select that option.
• Large group transport: The air-conditioned bus can carry up to 47 people, with downtown pickup and a Beijing Olympic Park finish.
• Cash matters: Credit cards are not convenient in the Great Wall area, so bring cash if you lack Alipay or WeChat.

Why seeing two Badaling walls changes the day

Many Beijing day trips focus only on restored Badaling. That is understandable. It is the best-known section, with broad stone paths, repaired watchtowers, grand views, and the famous Hero Slab photo spot. It is also the part most likely to feel busy.

This BusDa route adds the Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall, historically called the Ruined Great Wall. That second section is the reason to consider this tour instead of a simple Badaling transfer. You see the polished, accessible side of the monument first, then a rougher stretch with visible weather damage and unrepaired masonry.

I like that contrast. At Badaling, you understand the wall as a major national sight that has been carefully restored for large numbers of people. At the ancient section, you get a better sense of age and exposure. The wall is not simply a perfect line of fresh stone. It has missing sections, worn surfaces, and structural flaws shaped by time.

The tradeoff is pace. You are not spending a full day at one site. You have about two hours at Badaling and two and a half hours at the ancient section, with bus transfers between them. That is enough for a strong first look, but not enough for a slow, open-ended walk along every available path.

Meeting at Beitucheng Station

The tour begins at Beitucheng Subway Station in Chaoyang at 10:00 a.m. You make your own way to the meeting point and look for staff wearing a green vest with the BusDa logo. Show your mobile reservation, then follow the staff to the bus.

This setup is simple, but you need to take the meeting time seriously. The tour is built around a fixed bus departure, and the group cannot wait long for late arrivals. The included downtown transfer is useful if you are staying in Beijing’s central area, but it is not a hotel pickup service based on the information provided.

The bus is air-conditioned, and the maximum group size is 47 people. That is not a small guided outing. You should expect group-tour movement, shared departure times, and instructions designed to keep everyone together. The upside is a lower price and less need to plan complicated rail, taxi, or shuttle connections to the Great Wall.

The final drop-off is at Beijing Olympic Park. That can work well if you plan to spend time in the Olympic area afterward or return from there by public transport. It is different from being returned directly to your hotel, so check your evening plans before booking.

The 1.5-hour ride to Badaling

The drive to Badaling takes about an hour and a half. During the ride, the English-speaking guide explains how the wall visit works and helps arrange various ticket options.

This is where the guide can make a real difference. Amy is praised for clear organization and care, while Betty is noted for keeping communication easy in a crowded setting. Ding is described as efficient and good at keeping the group updated. Aria also handled a ticket overpayment with a refund and explained why the ancient section had been canceled on one occasion.

Those names are useful to know, but the guide assigned to your departure can vary. The important point is that the guide is not only there to narrate. The guide also helps you understand timing, meeting points, ticket choices, and optional transport up the hill.

The cable car is not part of the standard walking price unless you select that option. You can purchase it based on your needs, including during the coach arrangements. If you plan to walk, wear shoes with a firm grip and expect plenty of stairs and uneven effort. The supplied information specifically advises comfortable shoes, and that is sound advice.

Badaling Great Wall: restored, famous, and busy

Badaling is the star attraction for many people in China. It is the section most associated with the classic Great Wall visit, and it gives you the big visual payoff: long stone walls following the ridges, repaired towers, and broad views across the surrounding hills.

You have about two hours here. The guide explains that you can choose a north-line or south-line tour. The north side is generally associated with more famous viewpoints and the Hero Slab, while the south side offers another route through the restored fortifications. The precise choice depends on the day’s instructions, available access, and your own walking plans.

The included VIP passage is one of the tour’s practical advantages. Badaling can be crowded, and a special route may save time compared with the regular entrance process. It does not turn the site into a private visit, however. Once you are inside, you are still sharing one of Beijing’s most popular sights with a large number of people.

I would use the two hours carefully. Take your main photographs early, then choose a manageable stretch instead of trying to conquer every visible tower. The wall rises and falls sharply, so a short distance can take more effort than the map suggests. If you prefer to conserve energy, ask about the cable car before you begin.

The Hero Slab is included as a promised photo opportunity through the VIP route. It gives you a classic image from Badaling, but the best value here is not one photograph. It is seeing the restored wall in its most accessible and recognizable form before comparing it with the rougher ancient section later.

The transfer to the incomplete wall

After Badaling, the guide brings the group back to the parking area and boards the bus for the Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall. The exact transfer time is not stated, but it uses part of the day’s remaining schedule. The full experience lasts about eight hours, so expect the day to feel structured rather than leisurely.

This change of site is what gives the tour its character. The second wall is described as the southwestern extension of Badaling, but it has not received large-scale renovation. Instead of fresh-looking stonework and carefully managed paths, you see visible weathering and imperfections.

Do not expect the same polished setting as the main Badaling section. The ancient wall may feel quieter, but the rougher condition is also the point. You need to pay attention to your footing and follow the guide’s directions. The supplied details do not promise a specific number of towers, a fixed hiking distance, or special facilities, so you should treat this as a shorter, more rugged sightseeing stop rather than a long trek.

Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall: the quieter half

You get about two and a half hours at the ancient section, slightly longer than at restored Badaling. That extra time suits the setting. Instead of rushing between famous viewpoints, you can look closely at the surviving structure and take in the less repaired character of the wall.

I find this section more rewarding for people who want a sense of the monument’s age. The worn stone and incomplete stretches show that the Great Wall is not one uniform attraction. It is a vast collection of sections in different conditions, shaped by repair, neglect, weather, and tourism.

The phrase incomplete can sound like a drawback, but here it explains the appeal. You are not being offered a second version of the same polished sight. You are getting a different experience, with fewer people and a more original appearance.

Still, the ancient stop comes with the tour’s biggest uncertainty. One booking had the section canceled, and the customer reported receiving no refund. The operator later apologized and said steps would be taken to improve organization. That does not establish how often cancellations happen, but it does mean you should ask the guide at the meeting point if both sections are running that day.

If the ancient section is important to you, save your confirmation details and clarify the cancellation and refund position before boarding. This is especially wise because the central promise of the tour is the two-wall comparison.

What the $20 price really covers

At about $20 per person, this is a very low-cost way to reach two Great Wall sites from central Beijing. The value is strongest because the price includes round-trip bus transport, an English-speaking guide on the bus, Badaling admission, and admission to the ancient section.

Badaling admission is listed at 54 RMB per person, and the VIP passage is described as having a market price of 208 yuan per person. You should not treat those reference prices as cash savings guaranteed in every circumstance, but they show why the package can be attractive if both sections operate.

The cable car is extra unless you select it. Lunch and personal expenses are also excluded. There is no lunch stop listed, so plan to eat before departure or carry something suitable if allowed by the site rules. You should also bring cash. Credit cards are not convenient in the Great Wall scenic area, and Alipay or WeChat may not be available to you as an international visitor.

A cheap tour can become less useful if it loses half of its advertised program. For that reason, the value depends heavily on receiving both wall visits. If you want a simple, low-cost transport solution and can accept a large group, the price is compelling. If you need a guaranteed private guide, flexible timing, or a full refund policy for a canceled section, this tour may feel too basic.

How the group format affects your visit

The group can reach up to 47 people. That size explains the green-vest meeting system, fixed bus schedule, and repeated instructions from the guide. It also explains why good communication matters.

The strongest guide feedback centers on organization, updates, friendliness, and help with ticket choices. Betty is praised for guiding people through a crowded Badaling with ease. Ding is noted for maintaining a steady line of communication. Amy receives praise for arranging the day well and caring for the group.

Those strengths matter more here than a long lecture about history. The Great Wall sites are large, and a missed meeting point can disrupt the return transfer. Keep your phone available, listen for the guide’s time reminders, and note the parking area before walking off.

The group format is less suited to anyone who wants to linger at one tower, change plans freely, or set their own return time. You will get a clear structure, not a private day out.

Practical preparation for the wall

Wear comfortable shoes. This is the most useful piece of advice for the day, especially because both sections involve uphill and downhill walking. The restored paths at Badaling can still be tiring, and the incomplete section may have rougher footing.

Bring cash if you do not use Alipay or WeChat. Credit cards are not convenient in the scenic area, and small purchases or optional arrangements may require another payment method.

Carry water and any personal items you need for several hours outside. The supplied details do not specify meal arrangements, so do not count on lunch being provided.

Keep your mobile ticket easy to access when you arrive at Beitucheng Station. Staff identify themselves with green BusDa vests and will guide you onto the coach.

Finally, leave room for road time. The drive to Badaling is about 1.5 hours, and the tour has additional transfer time between the two wall sections. You receive roughly 4.5 hours of sightseeing, with the rest of the eight-hour day used for transport and coordination.

Who should book this Great Wall tour

I would recommend it to a first-time Beijing visitor who wants to compare restored Badaling with a less repaired section without arranging separate transport. It also suits budget-minded people who value included tickets and an organized bus more than personal flexibility.

The tour is a good match for you if:

• You want both famous views and a quieter, older-looking wall section.
• You are comfortable with a large group and fixed schedule.
• You can manage stairs and uneven walking.
• You want an English-speaking guide to help with ticket arrangements.
• You are prepared to bring cash and handle your own lunch.

I would hesitate if the ancient section is the only reason you are booking and you cannot accept the possibility of a change. I would also look elsewhere if you want a private guide, hotel pickup, or a slow day at one wall.

The 4.5 rating from six reviews suggests a generally strong experience, but the small sample and one serious complaint call for realistic expectations. The guides are repeatedly praised for communication and care, which is a real benefit on a busy, complicated day. The ancient-wall cancellation issue is the point you should verify before departure.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the most variety for a low price. Restored Badaling gives you the famous Beijing photograph, while the ancient section adds age, rough stone, and quieter views. The included bus, admission tickets, and guide support make the $20 price hard to beat when both stops run.

Before you commit, ask at the meeting point whether both wall sections are open that day. If the answer is yes, this is a practical and unusually varied Great Wall outing. If the second section is canceled, decide immediately how much the remaining Badaling visit is worth to you and ask clearly about any refund.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at Beitucheng Subway Station in Chaoyang, Beijing. You must make your own way to the meeting point.

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 approximately eight hours, including transport between Beijing, Badaling, and the ancient wall section.

How much sightseeing time do I get?

You receive about two hours at Badaling Great Wall and about two and a half hours at the Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall.

Are Great Wall admission tickets included?

Yes. Entry to both Badaling Great Wall and the Ancient Badaling Great Wall is included.

Is the cable car included?

The cable car is optional. It can be purchased based on your request, and it is included only if you select that option.

Can I pay by credit card at the Great Wall?

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