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

Crowds are the real enemy of the Great Wall. This BusDa day tour helps you get there fast, with VIP parking and Badaling entry included, plus an on-board guide who gets you sorted.

I also like the practical plan: you see two different wall experiences in one day, not just one long line of stairs.

The main thing to keep in mind is that the second, more “original” wall segment can be limited on some days, so you may end up with only one section even if you signed up for both.

Key points worth knowing

• VIP parking for BusDa makes the start of the day less stressful, especially if you’re coming from downtown on your own.
• Badaling admission is included, and the tour adds a crowd-saving VIP passage.
• Two sections in one day: the popular restored Badaling + the less-renovated Yanqing Incomplete Great Wall.
• North-line or South-line choices at Badaling let you match your pace to your interests.
• English-speaking guide onboard helps with reservations and on-the-spot decisions like the cable car.
• Group size capped at 47 keeps things organized on bus and at the wall.

Getting From Beijing to Badaling Without Wasting Your Day

This is a full-day, bus-based outing built for convenience. You start at 10:00 am at Subway Beitucheng Station (地铁北土城站), and you finish at Beijing Olympic Park. The whole thing runs about 8 hours, with transit taking roughly 1.5 hours each way.

You’ll ride in an air-conditioned bus, and the group stays capped at 47 people, which matters at the wall. Smaller groups mean you spend more time walking and looking, and less time doing the awkward “where is everyone?” shuffle.

A small but smart detail: the meeting staff wear a green vest with the BusDa logo, and they guide you to the bus before departure. That kind of hand-holding is a big help when you’re arriving at the pickup point on your own.

Also, expect a mobile ticket experience. If you’re used to paper tickets, just know your phone will be the key.

Why the Price Looks Too Good (And What You Still Pay For)

At $20 per person, this feels like a bargain in a place where ticketing and transport can add up quickly. The tour includes roundtrip downtown transfer, an English-speaking guide onboard, and entry tickets for Badaling Great Wall plus the Ancient Badaling Great Wall portion.

It also includes the big crowd-management perk: a VIP passage for BusDa guests (listed as market price 208 yuan per person, provided at no extra cost). Add Badaling ticket access (listed as 54 RMB per person, also complementary from BusDa), and you can see where the value comes from.

What’s not included is pretty important for planning:

• Lunch (you’ll need to handle food on your own)
• Personal expenses
• The cable car is optional. If you want it, you pay for it.

One practical heads-up: at the Great Wall area, credit cards aren’t convenient. If you don’t use Alipay and WeChat, bring cash.

Badaling Great Wall: Use the VIP Passage to Beat the Worst of It

Badaling is the Great Wall most people picture. It’s spectacular, and it’s also the section with the highest concentration of visitors. That’s exactly why this tour leans on the VIP passage approach.

At Badaling, you get about 2 hours of sightseeing time. Before you go up, the guide helps you with logistics and you can choose your route style with a North-line tour or a South-line tour. That choice is useful because it lets you steer your day based on how much climbing you want and what views you prefer.

Then you’ll get guided over to a VIP route designed to help you avoid the busiest crush. The plan also includes time for photos at the Hero Slab. If you’re aiming for that iconic Great Wall shot, this is one of the few ways to try to get it without spending your entire visit in a queue.

A quick reality check: even with VIP access, Badaling is still busy. Wear shoes you trust and bring patience. The difference is that you can spend more time seeing stone and sky, not just waiting in lines.

Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall: The More Original Feel

After Badaling, the tour connects you to another section: Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall, historically referred to as the Ruined Great Wall (残长城). This is described as the southwestern extension of the Badaling area, and it’s different from the main restored strip.

Here, the point isn’t polished restoration. You’re seeing a segment that retains more of its original form, with weathering traces and structural imperfections, because it hasn’t undergone large-scale renovation.

You’ll have about 2.5 hours there, which gives you time to slow down and take it in without feeling rushed. This is the part of the day that can feel more personal—fewer crowds, more uneven textures, and a clearer sense that the wall you’re walking is older and less “theme-park managed.”

It’s also a great balance to Badaling. If you want variety in one trip—one section for the famous views, and one section for a more rugged mood—this pairing is the heart of the tour.

Onboard Guidance: The Human Part That Makes It Work

Most of the day’s success rides on the guide, and BusDa does put real effort into that. You travel with an English-speaking tour guide onboard, and the guide supports you with how to handle wall logistics and ticket-related steps.

Several guide names show up as standouts: Amy, Aria, Betty, Ding, and even Evelyn is mentioned in a situation where an issue came up. Across these examples, the common thread is communication and problem-solving—especially when plans shift.

You should expect the guide to:

• explain how to navigate the Great Wall day
• help with reservations and optional items like the cable car
• keep you updated so you can move as a group without losing time

The best advice I can give you is to stay close to your guide’s instructions when you’re on site. Great Wall days can turn chaotic fast, and being in the right group at the right time saves a lot of energy.

Cable Car Options: Pay Only If It Fits Your Day

The cable car isn’t forced on you. It’s an optional item, and the tour notes that you can purchase it based on your request.

A useful detail from the way the day is run: if you only planned on walking parts of the climb, there can still be flexible options available during the day. That matters because your legs might decide for you.

Here’s the simple way to decide:

• If you want more time for viewpoints and photos, cable car time can reduce the energy drain.
• If you want the full walking experience and feel fine with stairs and slopes, skip it.

Either way, remember you still have a lot of stone steps ahead. If you want less strain, plan your route (North vs South) with your stamina in mind.

Shoes, Lunch, and Timing: The Stuff That Actually Matters

This tour is timed to fit two Great Wall experiences into one long day. That means you should treat it like an active outing, not a quick sightseeing trip.

Bring comfortable shoes. Even with VIP passage, you’re walking on uneven terrain and lots of steps. The crowd factor also adds stop-and-go movement.

Lunch isn’t included. So you’ll want a plan for food—either grabbing something during breaks or planning to eat after you return. Don’t assume the day will provide a full meal stop.

Also, you’ll have a mix of time:

• transit time to the wall
• about 2 hours at Badaling
• about 2.5 hours at the Incomplete Wall section
• then the trip back to Beijing Olympic Park

If you’re the type who needs downtime built into every plan, this day may feel long. If you enjoy “go-go” travel days, you’ll likely find the structure satisfying.

When the Ancient Section Doesn’t Happen: Be Flexible

Here’s the honest caution. There can be a mismatch between what you’re expecting and what’s available on the day, particularly for the Ancient Badaling / Incomplete Great Wall portion. In at least one reported situation, the two-wall plan didn’t play out and only one wall was visited, with no refund offered.

That doesn’t mean it will happen to you. But it does mean you should go into the day ready for a Plan B.

Practical move: ask your guide early in the day what’s confirmed for the second segment and what your options are if timing or access changes. The better you understand the real plan in real time, the less frustrating surprises feel.

Who Should Book This BusDa Great Wall Tour

This is a strong match if you:

• want VIP crowd help at Badaling, not just standard entry
• like the idea of seeing both a popular restored wall and a more original, less-renovated segment in one day
• prefer an organized, English-speaking experience with transport included
• enjoy structured sightseeing with a clear route and set walking windows

It’s also a good fit for international visitors who want downtown pickup and an easier on-site game plan.

I’d think twice if you:

• have very low tolerance for schedule changes affecting the second section
• hate long stairs and packed sightseeing areas (Badaling is still very busy)
• rely on card payments at attractions and don’t want to carry cash

Should You Book BusDa’s Ancient Great Wall & Badaling Tour?

I think this tour is worth it when your priority is value + crowd management + variety. For the money, you’re getting transport, Badaling entry, and a VIP passage that can save you real time. You also get the chance to experience the wall in two different “moods”: famous and restored at Badaling, and rougher and less-renovated at the Incomplete section.

Book it if you’re ready to manage the basics well—comfortable shoes, patience, and some cash in your pocket. Skip it (or at least adjust expectations) if you need guarantees about seeing every planned segment, no matter what day-of operations do.

If you want a Great Wall day that feels organized without being overly complicated, this is a solid choice.

FAQ

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

It runs for about 8 hours (approx.), starting at 10:00 am and ending at Beijing Olympic Park.

What’s included in the tour price?

You get roundtrip downtown transfer by air-conditioned bus, an English-speaking tour guide onboard, entry tickets to Badaling Great Wall and the Ancient Badaling Great Wall. The cable car is included only if you select it.

Where do I meet and where does it end?

You meet at Subway Beitucheng Station (地铁北土城站). The tour ends at Beijing Olympic Park (X9VV+PF8, Chaoyang).

Can I choose how I climb at Badaling?

Yes. At Badaling, you can choose between the North-line tour or the South-line tour.

Is the cable car included automatically?

No. The cable car is an optional add-on. You can buy it based on your request.

Do I need cash for purchases at the Great Wall?

Credit cards aren’t convenient in the Great Wall scenic area. If you don’t have Alipay and WeChat, you should bring some cash.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.