Two walls, one organized day. This BusDa outing turns a long Great Wall trip into an easier, guided loop with VIP perks.

You’ll love the VIP passage approach that helps you dodge some of the worst Badaling bottlenecks, and the onboard team that handles the practical stuff like ticket reservations and route choices.

The main drawback to plan for is reality: Badaling is popular, so crowds can still be part of your day, and the second, less-restored segment can depend on the day’s situation.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• VIP parking lot set aside for BusDa guests, so you lose less time in the shuffle
• Badaling entry is included, and a VIP passage is also complementary for BusDa guests
• Pick your climb at Badaling with North-line or South-line options
• See a second segment: Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall (often called the ruined/less-restored extension)
• English-speaking guide onboard plus guided transfers between the two sites
• Small-ish group size for this kind of day trip: up to 47 people

Getting to Badaling: the 10:00 start and where you meet

This is a full-day bus tour with an ~8-hour total time commitment. The tour starts at 10:00 am and you’ll meet at 地铁北土城站 (North Town Cheng Station), then the tour ends at Beijing Olympic Park.

Look for the staff wearing a green vest with the BusDa logo. That detail matters because, with Great Wall day trips, the first 20 minutes can make or break the pace of your whole day.

VIP parking and onboard guidance: where time usually gets lost

What I like about this tour is that it doesn’t treat the Great Wall like a self-guided scavenger hunt. The bus includes roundtrip downtown transfer on an air-conditioned coach, and there’s an English-speaking guide onboard.

On the way out, the guide explains how to handle the Badaling visit and helps you complete reservations for the options you want. Cable car access is optional and can be purchased based on your request, which is a good setup if you want flexibility without spending your time figuring everything out at the gate.

One more practical win: BusDa offers an exclusive VIP parking lot for guests. You may not notice it at first, but it often means you’re not stuck watching everyone else stream in while you hunt for your bus exit and your group.

Badaling Great Wall: North-line or South-line plus the VIP photo advantage

Badaling is the most famous Great Wall section for a reason. It’s spectacular, but it’s also the one that tends to feel the busiest. This is where the tour’s VIP approach can help you manage expectations.

After you arrive, you get about 2 hours of sightseeing time at Badaling. You can choose between a North-line or South-line tour, which is a smart way to tailor your climb based on how much walking you want and what views you’re aiming for.

The VIP passage is the big point here: BusDa includes a complementary VIP passage (listed as 208 yuan market price) that helps you avoid some crowds and even get the chance to take photos at the Hero Slab area. That’s one of those moments where having better access saves energy for the views, not the wait.

My practical advice: if you’re serious about photos, start your climb with the mindset that you’ll move early in your time window rather than waiting until the area feels calmer. With a tour schedule, your best strategy is to use the time you’re given.

Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall: less restored, more weathered

After Badaling, the bus takes you to the second stop: Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall, also referred to as a ruined or less-restored extension. The key difference is the look and feel.

This segment has not undergone large-scale renovation, so you’ll see more original wear, weathering, and structural imperfections than what you get at the restored main sections. If your idea of a Great Wall visit is more about authenticity than photo-polished symmetry, this part often makes the whole day feel more real.

You’ll have about 2.5 hours at this second site, then you’ll head back toward Beijing. This is also a nice pacing trick: even if the morning is busy, the afternoon segment can give your eyes a break and reset your sense of scale.

Cable car choice: when it helps, when it’s just pricey

Cable cars at Badaling are an optional add-on. If you select it, it’s included, but only if you choose that option ahead of time.

Should you buy it? It depends on what kind of climbing day you want:

• If you’re trying to save your legs for the second section, the cable car can help you keep energy for actual sightseeing.
• If you enjoy the physical climb and don’t mind crowds, you might skip it and use your time for walking instead.

Either way, wear comfortable shoes. Even if you don’t plan to hike aggressively, Great Wall steps and uneven surfaces can surprise you.

Food, money, and small logistics that matter on the Wall

Lunch is not included, so plan on grabbing something on your own during the day. The tour keeps time for sightseeing, not restaurant stops, so keep your expectations simple.

Bring cash if you can. In the Great Wall scenic area, credit cards aren’t convenient, and the tour data also flags that you should bring some cash if you don’t use Alipay and WeChat. That matters more than people think, because kiosks and small vendors can be picky about payments.

Also remember that this day trip includes two separate walking areas. The tour gives structure, but you still need to manage your own pace. Think of it like a guided itinerary with freedom inside it, not a hands-on porter service.

Price and value: what 20 dollars buys you

The headline price is $20 per person. That sounds almost too good for a Great Wall day, so here’s where the value actually shows up.

You’re getting:

• Roundtrip downtown transfer on an air-conditioned bus
• An English-speaking guide onboard
• Admission for Badaling Great Wall
• Admission for Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall
• Optional cable car if you select it
• Mobile ticket entry

And then there’s the VIP money math. Badaling ticket value is listed as 54 RMB per person, and the VIP passage for avoiding crowds (not always included on cheaper tours) is listed as a 208 yuan market price—both complementary from BusDa for guests on this tour.

In other words, a large chunk of what you’d normally pay separately is folded into the experience. The main thing you’re not getting is lunch and personal spending, which is normal for a day trip.

Guide quality: why names you’ve heard matter here

Great Wall tours rise and fall on communication. This particular BusDa route tends to run with guides who focus on keeping you moving and informed. On this tour line, names like Amy, Betty, Ding, and Aria have shown up in the guide lineup, and they’re associated with clear updates, smooth planning, and practical problem-solving when tickets or access plans change.

Even if your own guide is different, use this as your standard: you want someone who tells you how to handle options on site and who updates your group without drama. When the day is crowded, that kind of direction is worth real money.

So who should book this tour, and who should skip it

I think this tour is a good fit if you:

• Want guided logistics without giving up the chance to choose how you climb at Badaling
• Like the idea of seeing both a famous restored section and a less-restored segment in one day
• Prefer an air-conditioned bus and a planned day structure over DIY transfers and ticket lines

I’d hesitate if:

• You’re the type who needs a guaranteed uncrowded experience at Badaling. The main section is popular, even with VIP handling.
• You’re very strict about a specific two-section plan every single day. The second, incomplete segment can be subject to change depending on what’s possible on the day.

Should you book BusDa’s Ancient Great Wall and Badaling Tour?

If you want an efficient, value-packed Great Wall day from Beijing with VIP help and two different kinds of wall scenery, I’d book it. The combination of Badaling for the famous highlights and the Yanqing Incomplete Great Wall for a more rugged, original feel is a smart way to get variety without stretching your trip.

Just go in with two practical expectations: wear good shoes, and keep a flexible mindset about crowds and access. With that, this is the kind of tour where the money goes toward time saved and stairs survived, not toward confusing logistics.

FAQ

How long is the BusDa Ancient Great Wall and Badaling Great Wall tour?

It runs for about 8 hours.

Where is the meeting point, and when does the tour start?

The start is at 地铁北土城站 (North Town Cheng Station). The start time is 10:00 am.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Beijing Olympic Park.

Is the Badaling Great Wall ticket included?

Yes. Entry to Badaling Great Wall is included.

Do you visit two different Great Wall sections in one day?

Yes. You visit Badaling Great Wall and then Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall.

Can I choose which part of Badaling to visit?

Yes. You can choose the North-line tour or the South-line tour at Badaling.

Is the cable car included?

Cable car access is included only if you select the cable car option. Otherwise, it’s optional based on request.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

Is it easy to pay by credit card at the Great Wall?

No. Credit cards are not convenient in the Great Wall scenic area. If you don’t have Alipay and WeChat, bring some cash.

How large is the group?

The maximum group size is 47 travelers.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.