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 see restored Badaling, with its grand towers and busy paths, then the rougher Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall, where broken stone and weathered walls show a less polished side of the monument.

I like the included entry fees, which cover both sections, and the dedicated BusDa parking area, which can save time at a crowded sight. I also like the onboard help from guides such as Amy, Betty, Aria, and Ding. They explain the route, keep people updated, and can arrange optional cable-car tickets.

The main concern is that the ancient section may not always operate as advertised. One booking ended with only the main Badaling visit, so confirm both stops with staff before departure and ask how any change will be handled.

Key points at a glance

• Two wall sections in one day: Compare restored Badaling with the weathered Yanqing ancient section.
• About 2 hours at Badaling: Choose a north-line or south-line visit, with a cable car available at extra cost.
• About 2.5 hours at the ancient wall: Expect fewer people, rougher stonework, and less restoration.
• VIP access at Badaling: BusDa provides a special passage and access toward the Hero Slab.
• Practical group transport: An air-conditioned coach carries you from central Beijing and back, with a maximum group size of 47.
• Bring cash or mobile payment: Credit cards are not convenient in the Great Wall scenic area.

Why seeing two sections changes the Great Wall day

Many Great Wall outings focus only on restored Badaling. This BusDa tour takes a broader view. You first see the famous, repaired section most commonly visited by Chinese visitors, then move to the old Badaling extension, where the wall has been left in a more damaged condition.

That contrast is the heart of the day. At Badaling, you get the classic image: broad stone paths, watchtowers, strong walls, and long ridgelines. At the ancient section, the stonework is less tidy. Weathering, missing pieces, and structural damage are part of what you came to see.

I like this pairing because it gives you context without requiring a second day outside Beijing. The restored wall shows how the monument is presented for easy sightseeing. The incomplete wall gives you a better sense of age and wear.

The tradeoff is time. Eight hours sounds generous, but roughly three and a half hours are spent at the two sites, with the remaining time used for transport, parking, group movement, and ticket arrangements. You will get a useful sample of both places, not a slow, private day on either one.

Starting at Beitucheng Station

The meeting point is at Beitucheng subway station in Chaoyang, Beijing. You make your own way there and look for staff wearing green vests with the BusDa logo. Show your mobile reservation, then follow the staff to the coach.

The scheduled start time is 10:00 am. That is convenient if you prefer not to make an early morning start, but it also means the day runs well into the afternoon or early evening once road time is included. The bus ride to Badaling takes about 1.5 hours.

On the way, the guide explains how the Badaling visit works and helps arrange tickets for different access options. This matters because the wall is not a simple step-off-the-bus-and-wander stop. You need to know which route you are taking, where to return, and how much time you have before the group moves on.

The group can include up to 47 people. That is not a small tour, so expect some waiting when everyone boards, exits, or gathers in a parking area. The guides appear to compensate with frequent updates. Ding, for example, is described as keeping communication open and explaining the available ways to reach the wall.

Badaling Great Wall: the famous, restored section

The first stop gives you about two hours at Badaling. You can choose the north-line tour or the south-line tour. The information provided does not specify that one route is always better, so listen to the guide’s advice on the day and consider your own walking ability and time.

Badaling is the polished version of the Great Wall. Its walls and towers have been restored, paths are easier to follow, and the site offers the most familiar photographs. You can also take pictures at the Hero Slab, a well-known stopping point connected with the Badaling visit.

BusDa advertises a VIP passage for its group, listed at a market value of 208 yuan per person and provided without an extra charge. The point is to reduce some of the regular waiting and help the group reach the wall more efficiently. Do not confuse this with a private tour. You will still be part of a group, and the paths can be crowded.

A cable car is optional. You can arrange it through the guide on the coach if you prefer not to make the full climb on foot. The supplied details do not state a separate cable-car price, so ask before paying. The cable car can be useful if you want to conserve energy for the second wall section, though walking gives you more direct contact with the stone paths.

Two hours passes quickly. You need to leave enough time to reach the meeting point before the coach departs for the ancient section. Comfortable shoes are essential, and patience helps. One direct piece of advice from the tour’s practical guidance is to expect a crowded destination and come prepared for walking.

The Yanqing ancient section: rougher, quieter, and less restored

After Badaling, the coach takes you to the Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall, also called the Ruined Great Wall. This is the southwestern extension of the Badaling system.

The difference is immediately important. This section has not had the same large-scale restoration as the main Badaling area. You can expect visible weathering, broken sections, and imperfections in the structure. It is not the smooth, carefully repaired wall shown in the classic Badaling photographs.

You get about 2.5 hours here, giving you more breathing room than at the first stop. The area is described as having fewer people and beautiful scenery. That makes it a good second stop: after the crowds and formal presentation at Badaling, you have more space to notice the stonework and the setting.

Do keep your expectations sensible. The word incomplete is not marketing decoration. Parts of the wall are damaged, and the walking conditions may feel less even than at restored Badaling. The information does not provide detailed accessibility guidance, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask the guide about the day’s exact route before committing.

This stop is also the reason to book the tour rather than a standard Badaling-only outing. You see the wall as a repaired monument and as an aging structure shaped by weather and time. The contrast is more useful than seeing two nearly identical viewpoints.

The guide can make or break the day

The guide’s role is practical rather than theatrical. You need someone who can explain where to go, manage timing, sort out tickets, and keep the group moving. The strongest praise goes to guides named Amy, Betty, Aria, and Ding.

Amy is associated with clear organization and attentive help. Betty is described as friendly, easy to follow, and effective at guiding people through a crowded Badaling visit. Ding receives credit for keeping everyone updated and explaining the different ways to reach the wall.

Aria’s handling of a ticket overpayment is especially useful to know about. She refunded an excess charge and explained a change when the ancient section was cancelled. That shows the value of having a guide who communicates clearly when the schedule shifts.

Still, do not assume every departure will feel identical. One dissatisfied customer reported that the two-wall plan changed to a single-wall visit without a refund. The provider apologized and referred to improvements in group organization. This is the tour’s clearest weakness, and it deserves attention before you board.

Ask the staff at Beitucheng Station to confirm that both sections are operating that day. If the second stop is cancelled, ask immediately what refund or alternative arrangement applies. A short conversation before departure is easier than trying to sort out the issue later.

What the $20 price really covers

At $20 per person, this is priced as a transport-and-entry package rather than a private sightseeing day. The value is strong if both wall sections run as planned.

The package includes round-trip downtown transfer by air-conditioned bus, onboard English-speaking guide service, and entry to both Badaling and the ancient Badaling section. The ancient wall ticket is listed at 54 RMB per person, and BusDa also provides the special Badaling passage described above.

Lunch is not included. You should plan for your own meal and snacks, though the supplied details do not specify where or when food can be purchased. Credit cards are not convenient in the Great Wall scenic area. Alipay, WeChat Pay, or cash will serve you better.

The cable car is not part of the standard walking option unless selected. If you want that service, arrange it through the guide and confirm the cost. Personal expenses are also excluded.

The price becomes less attractive if the ancient section is cancelled and no adjustment is offered. That is why the two-stop confirmation matters. At the advertised price, two entries plus transport from Beijing are a good deal. At the same price for only one wall, the value depends much more heavily on the convenience of the coach and guide.

Timing, crowds, and the group format

The whole activity lasts about eight hours. The route includes a 1.5-hour drive from Beijing to Badaling, two hours at Badaling, the transfer to the ancient section, 2.5 hours there, and the return ride to Beijing. Traffic and group loading account for the remaining time.

The departure point and final drop-off are not the same. You start at Beitucheng Station and finish at Beijing Olympic Park. Plan any evening reservation with room to spare, since the stated duration is approximate.

The large group has both advantages and drawbacks. You benefit from a lower price and organized transfers, but you will not have the flexibility of a private car. The coach waits for the group, not for individual changes of plan.

That format suits you if you want the main decisions handled for you. It is less suitable if you want to linger at one watchtower, change routes midway, or set your own return time.

Shoes, money, and small choices that matter

Wear comfortable shoes with a firm grip. The tour includes substantial walking, and the ancient section may have rougher surfaces than the repaired Badaling paths.

Bring cash even if you normally rely on cards. The Great Wall scenic area is not convenient for credit-card use. Alipay and WeChat are recommended if you have them, but cash is the simple backup.

Keep your mobile ticket ready at the meeting point. Staff in green BusDa vests use the reservation to check you in and direct you to the bus.

If you are choosing between walking and the cable car, consider the whole day rather than only the first stop. You have two wall sections ahead of you. A cable car may save energy, but it adds a cost and may reduce the amount of walking you hoped to do.

Finally, keep track of the return meeting time. Badaling is busy, and the ancient section is separate. The guide will direct you to the parking lot, but you are responsible for being ready when the group leaves.

Who should book this BusDa tour

I would choose this tour if you want to compare restored and unrestored Great Wall sections without arranging several trains, taxis, or separate tickets. It is also a practical fit for a first Beijing visit when you want an affordable, organized day.

It suits people who value transport and guidance more than a private schedule. The English-speaking guide can explain the options, handle ticket questions, and keep the group on time. Guides such as Amy, Betty, Aria, and Ding have shown the sort of calm communication that helps on a busy sightseeing day.

I would think twice if you need guaranteed access to the ancient wall. The tour information promises both sections, but one reported departure changed to a single-wall visit. Confirm the schedule at the start and make sure you understand the remedy if plans change.

The tour is also less suited to anyone who dislikes crowds, group pacing, or long bus rides. Badaling can be busy, and the ride from Beijing takes about 1.5 hours each way. The ancient section offers a quieter contrast, but it does not erase the busy first stop.

Final call: a good-value two-wall day with one important caveat

Book it if the appeal is the contrast between restored Badaling and the weathered ancient wall, and if you want low-cost transport with entry fees included. The VIP passage, coach transfer, and onboard assistance add real value at $20.

Before departure, confirm that both wall sections are open. If that point is clear, this is an efficient way to see two sides of the Great Wall in one day. If the second section is uncertain, you may prefer a simpler Badaling tour with fewer promises and less risk of disappointment.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 10:00 am start time. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not refundable.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Beitucheng subway station in Chaoyang, Beijing. You must make your own way to the meeting point and find staff wearing green BusDa vests.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 am.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Beijing Olympic Park.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about eight hours, including transport between Beijing and the two Great Wall sections.

How much time do I get at Badaling Great Wall?

You get about two hours at Badaling Great Wall. You can choose a north-line or south-line visit.

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

You get about 2.5 hours at the Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall.

Are both Great Wall entrance tickets included?

Yes. Entry to Badaling Great Wall and the Ancient Badaling Great Wall is included. The ancient section ticket is listed as 54 RMB per person.

Is the cable car included?

The cable car is optional. It can be purchased according to your preference, and the standard details do not provide its separate price.

Can I pay by credit card at the Great Wall?

Credit cards are not convenient in the Great Wall scenic area. Alipay, WeChat Pay, or cash is recommended.