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

The Wall comes in two very different flavors. This $20 Beijing bus tour pairs the polished, popular Badaling Great Wall with the weathered Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall, giving you a fuller day than a standard single-site visit. I like the two-section plan and the included admission tickets, especially since the ancient section costs 54 RMB on its own. I also like the reserved VIP access at Badaling, which can help you avoid some of the main entry crowds.

The catch is that the ancient section may not always operate as advertised. One reported case involved the second stop being canceled without a refund, so you should confirm the day’s plan before setting out. The tour also moves quickly, and the restored wall can be crowded.

Key points before you book

• Two very different Great Wall experiences: See the restored Badaling section and a less renovated, weathered stretch in one day.
• Low headline price: The $20 fare includes round-trip city transport and entry to both wall areas when both operate.
• VIP access at Badaling: BusDa provides a special passage intended to reduce waiting and includes access to the Hero Slab area.
• Two hours at restored Badaling: You can choose the north line or south line, but time is limited.
• 2.5 hours at the ancient section: The incomplete wall offers a quieter setting and more original remains.
• Bring cash or mobile payment: Credit cards are not convenient in the scenic area, and lunch is not included.

Why seeing two wall sections changes the day

Many Beijing day trips take you to Badaling and stop there. That is understandable. Badaling is the best-known restored section, easy to reach, and visually dramatic. It is also the section most popular with Chinese visitors, so it can feel busy.

This tour tries to solve that problem by adding the Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall. The two sites show different sides of the same monument. At Badaling, you see carefully restored towers, firm walking surfaces, and the classic postcard view. At the ancient section, you see weathered masonry, gaps, uneven structures, and a wall that has not received large-scale restoration.

I like that contrast. The restored section helps you understand the scale and shape of the defensive system. The incomplete section gives you a better sense of age and exposure. You do not get just one polished viewpoint.

The tradeoff is time. The two sites require transfers between them, and the day lasts about eight hours. You spend roughly 1.5 hours reaching Badaling, then move by bus to the second site before returning to Beijing. This is efficient, but it is not leisurely.

Meeting at Beitucheng Station at 10 a.m.

The day begins at Beitucheng Subway Station in Chaoyang, with a listed start time of 10 a.m. You arrange your own way to the meeting point, then look for staff wearing a green vest with the BusDa logo. Show your mobile reservation, and the staff directs you to the bus.

That system is simple, but you need to arrive prepared. The meeting point is near public transportation, yet the tour does not include pickup from your hotel. Give yourself enough time to find the correct station exit and locate the green-vested staff.

The bus is air-conditioned, a welcome feature for a full day outside Beijing. The stated maximum is 47 people, so this is a sizable group tour rather than a private outing. That keeps the price low, but you should expect some waiting while everyone boards and follows instructions.

During the ride, the English-speaking guide explains how the Badaling visit works. The guide also helps arrange various wall tickets. This is useful because the site offers several ways to reach the higher sections, including a cable car that can be purchased as an optional extra.

Guides called Amy, Aria, Betty, and Ding have received especially warm praise for clear communication, care, organization, and efficient handling of the day. That matters on a group trip. A good guide keeps you from wasting your limited wall time at the wrong entrance or parking area.

Badaling Great Wall: two hours on the restored classic

The bus takes about 1.5 hours to reach Badaling. Once there, you have about two hours to explore. You can choose the north-line or south-line route, so it helps to decide in advance what kind of walk you want.

The north line is generally the choice for the most recognizable Badaling views and the Hero Slab area. It can also be demanding, with steep climbs and many people moving along the same route. The south line may offer a different rhythm, but the tour information does not promise a specific route or a quiet experience.

The wall here is spectacular because it is restored and easy to recognize as a connected defensive system. Towers rise along the ridges, and the stonework gives you the classic Great Wall image. If this is your first visit, Badaling provides the clearest introduction.

BusDa’s VIP passage is included in the tour price, with a stated market value of 208 yuan per person. The purpose is to help the group avoid some of the regular entrance congestion. It does not mean the wall itself will be empty. Once you reach the popular routes, you should still expect plenty of people, especially since Badaling is a favorite destination for domestic tourism.

The Hero Slab is another included highlight. It is a well-known photo point, so you may need patience while people take pictures. The practical lesson is simple: use the VIP access to save time at entry, then stay alert to the guide’s meeting instructions. Wandering too far from the assigned route can make the group transfer difficult.

A cable car is available for an added fee. You can buy that option based on your needs, including if you prefer not to make the full climb on foot. The supplied details do not specify the cable car price, so ask the guide before purchasing.

Two hours passes fast. You need to balance photos, climbing, tower stops, and the return meeting time. I would not treat this as a chance to walk every possible section of Badaling. It is better for seeing a strong sample of the site without missing the second stop.

Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall: the quieter contrast

After Badaling, the bus takes you to the Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall, historically referred to as the Ruined Great Wall. It is the southwestern extension of the main Badaling section.

This is the more unusual part of the day. Unlike the restored wall, it keeps visible signs of weathering and structural damage. You see original forms, worn surfaces, and imperfections rather than a fully repaired monument. For anyone interested in how old defensive structures change over time, this stop adds real value.

The setting is also described as less crowded, with beautiful scenery. That gives you room to pause and look beyond the individual stones. The wall’s broken condition is not a flaw in the experience. It is the point. You are seeing a monument shaped by time rather than by modern rebuilding.

You receive about 2.5 hours here, longer than at Badaling. That extra time makes sense because the site is less polished and may require more careful walking. The tour information does not provide a detailed route, trail grade, or facilities list, so you should follow the guide closely and avoid assuming it will feel like the smooth restored section.

Entry to this section is included, with a stated ticket value of 54 RMB. At the $20 tour price, that inclusion is significant. You are not paying separately for the two main attractions, and you avoid the cost and hassle of arranging transport between them yourself.

But this stop needs one important qualification. The ancient section has been canceled in at least one reported case, with the participant stating that only one wall was visited and no refund was provided. The operator’s response apologized and referred to improvements in group organization. Because this second stop is the main reason to choose the tour, I would ask for confirmation on the day, particularly if the ancient wall is essential to your plans.

What the $20 price really covers

At $20 per person, this is an unusually inexpensive way to reach two Great Wall areas from central Beijing. The fare includes the air-conditioned round-trip bus, an English-speaking guide on board, admission to Badaling, and admission to the ancient Badaling section when that stop runs.

The value comes from combining transport and entrance costs. Independent travel can give you more control, but you must arrange the route, manage transfers, buy admission, and work out how to connect the two wall sections. This tour handles those basic pieces in one booking.

The price does not include lunch, personal spending, or the cable car unless you select that option. You should plan food before the trip or carry something suitable. The provided details do not state that meals are supplied at either site.

Carry cash, Alipay, or WeChat Pay. Credit cards are not convenient in the Great Wall scenic area. If you rely only on cards, small purchases or optional services could become awkward.

The low price also reflects the group format. With up to 47 people, you are buying transport and basic guidance, not a private historical lecture or a flexible custom route. That is a fair trade for many people, but it should shape your expectations.

The guides can make or break the schedule

The strongest feedback centers on the guides. Amy is praised for organizing the day and caring for the group. Betty is described as friendly, clear, and particularly helpful around the busy Badaling routes. Ding is praised for keeping communication open and explaining the available ways to reach the wall.

Aria handled a more complicated situation by explaining an overpayment and refunding part of the fee. That is a good sign of practical service when ticket arrangements change.

You should still listen carefully to every meeting instruction. A bus tour works only when the group returns on time. Ding’s habit of keeping everyone updated is especially useful because the day includes two sites and a transfer between parking areas.

The tour guide is on board and helps with arrangements, but the information does not promise a private guide beside you for every minute of your wall walk. You should be ready to explore independently after receiving the route and meeting details.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this tour if you want to see two contrasting Great Wall settings without arranging the transportation yourself. It suits a first-time Beijing visitor who wants the famous Badaling view but also wants a less restored and less crowded section.

It also fits budget-conscious travelers, families with older children, and anyone who prefers a simple mobile ticket and a fixed plan. Most people can participate, according to the tour details, but the wall naturally involves walking and climbs. Comfortable shoes are essential. One helpful piece of advice from the experience is to bring patience as well as sturdy footwear, because Badaling can be crowded.

I would hesitate if you need a guaranteed visit to the ancient section, dislike group schedules, or want several hours at one wall site. The ancient stop has not operated on every reported departure, and the tour’s value drops sharply if you receive only the restored wall without a refund.

The tour ends at Beijing Olympic Park, not at the original meeting point. That can be useful if your plans continue in the Olympic area, but you should account for the end location when planning your evening.

Practical details that affect your day

The total duration is about eight hours, with the remaining time used for driving and transfers. The listed schedule gives you about two hours at Badaling and 2.5 hours at the ancient section. The start is 10 a.m., so you return in the evening, though no exact return time is provided.

You receive confirmation when booking, and the ticket is mobile. Keep the reservation easy to display at the meeting point. Look for the green BusDa vest rather than relying only on the station name.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations inside that period are not refunded, and last-minute changes are not accepted. Since the ancient section can be the deciding factor, check the operating plan before the cancellation deadline if possible.

Should you book the BusDa Great Wall day tour?

Book it if you want maximum Great Wall variety for a low price and can accept a fixed group schedule. The restored Badaling section gives you the famous towers and Hero Slab, while the incomplete section offers a quieter, more weathered view that many standard day trips skip.

Before paying, confirm that both wall sections are operating on your date. If BusDa confirms the two-stop plan, the included tickets, city transfer, and VIP passage make $20 strong value. If the second section is canceled and no refund is offered, the bargain becomes much less convincing.

For the best day, wear comfortable shoes, bring food and cash, listen closely to Amy, Betty, Ding, or your assigned guide, and return to the bus on time. This is not the most flexible way to see the Great Wall, but it is an efficient and affordable way to see two very different versions of it.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Beitucheng Subway Station in Chaoyang, Beijing. You must reach the meeting point on your own and find staff wearing a green vest with the BusDa logo.

What time does the tour begin?

The listed start time is 10 a.m.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Beijing Olympic Park.

How long is the experience?

The full tour lasts approximately eight hours, including transportation between Beijing and the wall sections.

Are entrance tickets included?

Yes. Admission to Badaling Great Wall and the Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall is included when both stops operate.

Is the cable car included?

The cable car is optional. You can purchase it based on your needs, but it is not included unless you select that option.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and personal expenses are not included.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.