Private Tour: Badaling Great Wall and Kangxi Grasslands on Horseback

Badaling’s stone watchtowers and broad mountain views make it the star of this day, but the horseback ride at Kangxi Grasslands gives the outing a welcome change of pace. You get a private vehicle, a guide, lunch, and a full day outside Beijing rather than another city tour.

I like two things here: the small private group, capped at 10 people, and the fact that beginners can ride under staff direction. The buffet lunch and hotel pickup also remove some of the usual day-trip fuss.

The main caution is the horse-riding arrangement. One account describes a long wait, a change of riding site, and considerable arguing before the guide secured the promised hour. Guide Kevin worked hard to repair the day, but you should confirm the riding plan before setting out.

Key points at a glance

• Badaling in a private group: You visit Beijing’s best-preserved and most popular Great Wall section with only your own party and guide.
• A one-hour horse ride is included: Extra riding costs more, and the instructor fee is not included.
• Kangxi offers a sharp contrast: Trade stone battlements and mountain slopes for a wide, open prairie used as a riding course.
• Beginners and families can join: Children under 11 need an adult, and children under 7 ride with an adult.
• Lunch, water, and transport are covered: Hotel pickup and drop-off come in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• Expect a long day: The advertised duration is about nine hours, with roughly two hours at each main stop plus driving and lunch.

Two very different Beijing day trips in one

This tour pairs one of China’s most famous sights with a quieter outdoor stop north of Beijing. Badaling gives you the grand stonework, towers, steep paths, and sweeping views people expect from the Great Wall. Kangxi Grasslands then opens the day into a broad riding area where the focus is movement, fresh air, and simple outdoor fun.

That contrast is the reason to consider this outing. A standard Great Wall visit can feel like a single-purpose day, especially if your family or group wants more than stairs and photographs. Here, you get a major historic sight first, then time on horseback.

The tradeoff is focus. If your only goal is to spend as much time as possible on the wall, the grasslands take away valuable hours. If you want a full day with two distinct activities, the mix makes sense.

The tour is private, but it is not an entirely private horse stable experience. The grassland ride takes place on a managed course, and the local staff control the horses and riding area. That is useful for safety and for first-time riders, though it may feel less free-form to an experienced equestrian.

Badaling: two hours on Beijing’s most accessible Great Wall section

Your driver and guide collect you from your Beijing hotel in the morning and take you first to Badaling. The visit lasts about two hours, with admission included.

Badaling is known as the most complete and best-preserved section among the main Great Wall areas around Beijing. It is also the most popular. That means you choose this stop for its strong presentation, solid paths, restored watchtowers, and broad views, not for a quiet or remote encounter with the wall.

You can hike along the wall or use the cable car to reach the Sun-view Tower, described as the highest point of this section. The cable car fee is extra, so decide how much walking your group wants before you arrive. A ride up can save energy for the grasslands, while walking gives you more direct contact with the wall’s slopes and parapets.

Two hours is enough for a focused visit, but it is not an all-day exploration. You will have time to walk, take in the views, and see the defensive layout. You will not have endless time to wander every accessible stretch. Keep an eye on the meeting time, especially if your group separates between walkers and cable-car passengers.

I like the order of the day. The wall comes first, when you are fresh and ready for stairs. Lunch follows, then the slower and more relaxed outdoor activity. If the weather is clear, the wall’s elevated views should be the visual high point of the tour.

Badaling’s popularity is also its main drawback. You should not book this section expecting solitude. For many first-time visitors, that is a fair exchange for the excellent preservation and easy-to-understand layout.

Lunch before the ride

After the wall, the tour includes a buffet lunch before continuing to Kangxi Grasslands. Bottled water is also included, and a vegetarian option is available if you request it when booking.

The meal matters because this is an active day. Even one hour on horseback can be tiring if you have already spent time walking uphill on the wall. A buffet also works well for a private group with different appetites and food preferences.

Do not treat lunch as a separate food tour. The supplied details do not promise a special regional menu or a long sit-down meal. Think of it as practical fuel between the two main stops.

If anyone in your party needs vegetarian food, arrange it in advance. That is a small step, but it avoids trying to solve a dietary need after you have already left central Beijing.

Kangxi Grasslands: open space and a managed riding course

Kangxi Grasslands is described as an original ecological prairie in the Beijing area and a summer resort for people seeking open air. Its appeal is simple: after the tight stone walls and steep paths at Badaling, you get a broad green horizon and room to move.

The main activity is horseback riding on a standard course. You receive one hour of riding as part of the tour. The local staff help choose a horse and explain how to ride at an appropriate pace. Riders of different experience levels are welcome, so you do not need previous riding experience to take part.

The course setting is important. You are expected to stay within the designated riding area and not leave with a horse or switch to an unmanaged animal. The rules are firm because the official course provides the management, insurance, and security connected with the ride.

For a first-time rider, that structure is reassuring. You are not simply handed a horse and sent across open ground. Staff instructions cover basic handling, and your guide helps arrange the ride. For an experienced rider, the course may feel limited, since the experience is controlled rather than a long independent trek.

Camel strolling is also mentioned as an option at the grasslands, but the included benefit is one hour of horseback riding. If you want a different animal activity or extra riding time, ask about the cost and availability before committing.

There is a practical concern here. The supplied feedback includes a poor account of the horse-riding portion, with a delayed arrangement, a drive to another location, and waiting for horses. The guide, Kevin, reportedly worked beyond the basic duty to secure the hour and improve the experience. That suggests the ride can depend heavily on local coordination on the day.

I would ask your guide at pickup to confirm three points: where the ride will take place, how long you will wait before mounting, and whether the included hour is ready to go. That will not guarantee perfect timing, but it gives you a clear plan.

What the private format really adds

The group size ranges from one to ten people, and only your own party takes part in the tour. This is useful for families, couples, or small groups that do not want to match the speed of strangers.

You can discuss the cable car, walking pace, lunch needs, and riding comfort with your guide. A private vehicle also makes the long transfer between Beijing, Badaling, and Kangxi more comfortable than a large coach.

The private format does not mean every activity is exclusive. The wall is a public attraction, and the horse course is operated by local staff. What you are buying is private transport, guiding, and coordination around those shared sites.

This is also where the guide matters most. The tour details name no assigned guide in advance, but Kevin handled one difficult riding arrangement with persistence. You cannot count on receiving Kevin specifically, so judge the tour as a private day requiring active coordination, not as a guaranteed personal service from one named escort.

Is the $68 price good value?

At $68 per person, the package covers a lot: hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, a professional guide, bottled water, lunch, admission to Badaling, and one hour of horseback riding.

That price looks strong for a private day, especially if you are splitting the cost with several people. The value improves for a family or group of friends because the vehicle and guide serve only your party. You are not paying separately for lunch or arranging transport between the wall and the grasslands.

Several extras keep the headline price from being the full budget. The Great Wall cable car costs more, as does any riding beyond the included hour. The horseback-riding instructor fee is also listed as excluded. Clarify exactly what instruction is included from the course staff, since the tour describes staff guidance but does not include a separate instructor charge.

The price is less attractive if you planned to hike extensively at Badaling and ride for several hours. In that case, the included time is limited and extras could grow. It is better value when you want a sampler: one major wall visit, lunch, and a short, beginner-friendly ride.

The tour is commonly reserved about 48 days ahead. That advance pattern suggests you should not leave it until the last minute if your Beijing dates are fixed, especially if you need the vegetarian lunch option or have a larger private group.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would recommend this outing to families with children old enough to follow riding instructions, small groups wanting a private vehicle, and first-time Beijing visitors who want the Great Wall without giving the entire day to one site.

Children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult. Children under 7 ride with an adult and are free, according to the supplied conditions. You should still consider the child’s comfort with horses, heights, stairs, and a long day in transit.

You need a moderate level of physical fitness. Badaling involves walking on uneven, sloping paths unless you use the cable car. The riding portion requires you to mount, sit securely, and follow staff instructions. It is not a passive sightseeing stop.

I would be more cautious about booking if you are an experienced rider seeking a long trail ride, or if your top priority is a quiet Great Wall visit. The course is managed, the ride lasts one included hour, and Badaling is popular.

Simple ways to make the day run better

Wear shoes suitable for walking on sloped surfaces and clothing you can sit comfortably in for an hour on horseback. The provided information does not specify equipment or clothing rental, so avoid assuming that riding gear will be supplied.

Listen closely when mounting. The instructions specifically say to stand at the left front of the horse before getting on, under staff direction. Do not leave the marked course or ride another horse outside the course’s management.

Use the guide’s help early. Ask about the cable car before heading up Badaling, confirm the lunch timing, and check that the horse ride is arranged for your group. If you want extra riding time, ask about the additional hourly fee before the ride begins.

Keep your expectations balanced. The wall is the polished, headline attraction. The grasslands offer a change of scenery and a hands-on activity, but the horse portion may involve local coordination and waiting.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, so keep your schedule firm once you are within the final day.

Should you book this Badaling and Kangxi tour?

Book it if you want a private, active day that combines a famous Great Wall section with a short horseback ride. The strongest reasons are the included transport, lunch, guide, Badaling admission, and the chance for beginners and children to try riding without arranging a second excursion.

Think twice if you want an entirely smooth horse experience, a long ride, or a quiet wall. The riding arrangement has shown signs of uncertainty, and the included riding time is only one hour. Before booking, make sure you understand the extra charges for the cable car, added riding, and instructor service.

For a family or small group that values variety, $68 is appealing. For a serious rider or a visitor focused solely on the Great Wall, a different tour may fit better.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately nine hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off, the Badaling visit, lunch, the trip to Kangxi Grasslands, and the horseback ride.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at your Beijing hotel are included, along with transport in an air-conditioned vehicle.

How much horseback riding is included?

One hour of horseback riding is included. Additional riding time costs extra.

Is the cable car at Badaling included?

No. The cable-car fee is not included in the tour price.

Can beginners ride the horses?

Yes. Riders of all levels are welcome, and course staff provide instructions on riding at an appropriate pace.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. Children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult. Children under 7 are free and ride with an adult.

Is vegetarian food available?

Yes. A vegetarian lunch option is available, but you need to request it when booking.