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

Badaling’s appeal is simple: in one day, you see the famous restored wall and a rougher, quieter section where weather and time have left their mark. The two-wall plan gives you a much broader picture than visiting the polished Badaling section alone.

I like the strong value at $20, since admission to both sections is included, and I like the practical bus service, especially the private parking area and Badaling VIP passage. The catch is important: the ancient section can be canceled, and one published account says no refund was offered when that happened.

Key points to know before booking

• Two very different wall sections: Spend about two hours at popular Badaling, then about two and a half hours at the weathered Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall.
• VIP access at Badaling: BusDa includes a VIP passage with an advertised market value of 208 yuan, plus access to the Hero Slab photo area.
• Ancient wall admission included: The less-restored section normally includes a 54 yuan entry ticket at no extra charge.
• Helpful onboard guides: Amy, Betty, Ding, Aria, and other English-speaking guides handle directions, ticket arrangements, and group communication.
• Bring payment backup: Credit cards are not convenient at the Great Wall sites, so carry cash if you do not use Alipay or WeChat.
• Expect a large group: The bus can carry up to 47 people, so this is organized transport rather than a quiet private outing.

Two Great Walls in one Beijing day

The clever idea here is contrast. Badaling is the famous, restored section most Chinese visitors choose. It has the broadest recognition, the grandest presentation, and the busiest walkways.

The Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall, historically called the Ruined Great Wall, is different. It is the southwestern extension of Badaling, but it has not received large-scale restoration. You see weathered stone, uneven structures, and a more original appearance.

That contrast matters. At Badaling, you get the classic postcard version of the Great Wall. At the ancient section, you get a better sense of age, repair, and decay. The two stops do not offer the same kind of sightseeing, and that is precisely why the pairing works.

You should also understand the wording before you pay. The tour is sold as a two-section visit, but the ancient stop is not guaranteed in practice. One published account describes arriving to learn that only one wall would be visited, with no refund. That is the main risk in an otherwise attractive package.

Meeting at Beitucheng Metro Station

The day begins at Beitucheng Metro Station in Chaoyang at 10:00 am. You make your own way to the meeting point, then look for staff wearing a green vest with the BusDa logo.

This is a useful arrangement in a city as large as Beijing. You are not waiting for a hotel pickup window or trying to explain a hotel entrance to a driver. You simply reach a known public transport stop and check in with the tour staff.

Show your reservation to the green-vested staff member. The guide then directs you to the air-conditioned coach. The ride to Badaling takes about one and a half hours, so the first part of the day is mostly transport.

That long ride is not wasted time. The onboard English-speaking guide explains how the Badaling visit works and helps arrange various ticket choices. This is also when you can ask about the cable car. It is optional and can be purchased according to your preference. If you choose that option, the cable car is included in your selected package rather than the basic walking price.

Guides named Amy, Betty, Ding, and Aria have been praised for keeping people updated, helping with ticket issues, and making a crowded site easier to manage. Ding, in particular, is described as maintaining a steady line of communication, while Betty is noted for guiding people around Badaling with ease. The guide quality may vary by departure, but the role is clear: this is not a silent transfer bus.

Two hours at famous Badaling

You have about two hours at Badaling Great Wall. The guide helps you get from the bus area into the scenic site, then you choose the North Line or South Line.

Do not expect to cover every part of Badaling in this time. Two hours is enough for a focused walk and photos, but it is not a leisurely day on the wall. You will want to keep an eye on your watch because the bus must leave for the second stop.

Badaling is spectacular, but its popularity creates the main practical problem: crowds. The stone path, stairs, viewpoints, and access routes can feel busy, especially when many groups arrive together. Comfortable shoes are not optional advice here. The wall includes slopes and steps, and a published account specifically warns you to bring good footwear and patience.

BusDa’s VIP passage is meant to reduce some of the friction. The tour includes access to a VIP route with an advertised market value of 208 yuan, and you can take photographs at the Hero Slab. The private parking area for BusDa also makes the arrival and departure process easier than searching for a regular parking location.

Still, VIP access does not turn Badaling into a private monument. You are visiting the most popular section, and the site can remain crowded once you are inside. Think of the benefit as faster or more organized access, not a guarantee of empty paths.

You can choose the North Line or South Line based on the guide’s instructions and your own pace. The supplied information does not specify which route has the easier climb, so ask the guide before setting out if stairs or exertion are a concern. If you choose the cable car, you trade some walking for a more convenient ascent. That option costs extra unless you have selected a package that includes it.

The Yanqing Incomplete Great Wall

After Badaling, the bus takes you to the ancient section. The timing gives you about two and a half hours there, followed by the return trip to Beijing.

This second stop is the reason to choose this tour instead of a standard Badaling transfer. The Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall retains visible signs of weathering and structural damage. It has not been rebuilt on the same scale as the famous restored section, so the surfaces and outlines feel less polished.

You should not expect the neat, fully prepared setting of Badaling. The ancient wall’s appeal comes from its imperfections. It offers a quieter setting and beautiful scenery, according to the tour description, but the exact condition of the route means you need to pay attention to your footing and follow site guidance.

The two and a half hours here is a generous amount of time compared with the first stop. You can take in the views without rushing from one famous photo point to the next. You also get a useful visual lesson: restoration makes a historic site easier to visit, while an unrestored site gives you a stronger sense of age and exposure.

The large qualification is operational. The tour provider has acknowledged that this section may be canceled. If the ancient wall is unavailable on your date, the advertised two-wall value changes sharply. Contact staff at the meeting point if the plan changes, and ask clearly about the replacement arrangement and any refund before boarding.

A $20 price with real value, and one big condition

At $20 per person, the tour is inexpensive for a full-day Beijing outing. The price includes round-trip downtown transport, an English-speaking guide onboard, admission to Badaling, and admission to the ancient section.

The included fees are significant on paper. The ancient section’s listed ticket is 54 yuan per person, and the Badaling VIP passage is listed at 208 yuan per person. Those inclusions make the package good value if both wall sections operate as planned.

You also avoid arranging two separate taxi rides or trying to connect distant scenic areas by public transport. The bus handles the transfer between the two walls, which is the hardest logistical part of combining them yourself.

Lunch is not included. You need to plan for your own meal and personal spending. Credit cards are not convenient in the Great Wall scenic area, so take cash if you do not have Alipay or WeChat. The tour information does not promise food stops, so do not assume lunch will be arranged.

The price is less compelling if you only visit Badaling. One published complaint involved the ancient section being canceled without a refund, which means you should regard the two-stop promise as the key point to confirm. The low price still covers transport and one major wall, but it no longer delivers the full experience you paid for.

What the group size means for your day

The maximum group size is 47 people. That is a sizeable coach group, and it explains why the tour relies on firm meeting times and clear guide instructions.

A group of this size can be useful at a complicated site. You have staff to point you toward the correct bus, explain ticket choices, and keep communication open. Aria is specifically praised for explaining ticket costs and arranging a refund when a payment was made in excess. That suggests the guide can be helpful with small financial or ticket problems when they arise.

The tradeoff is personal freedom. You cannot linger indefinitely at a viewpoint or decide to skip the second stop without affecting the schedule. The bus must gather everyone before leaving Badaling, then again at the ancient wall.

This format suits you if you want the day organized and do not want to handle Great Wall transport yourself. It is less suitable if you want a private guide, a slow photographic walk, or the ability to set your own return time.

Guides, communication, and the occasional problem

The strongest praise centers on guide service. Amy is described as organizing the day well and caring for the group. Betty is praised for communication and for handling the crowded wall with ease. Ding is noted for efficient updates and clear information about climbing options. Aria is praised for explaining an overpayment and arranging a refund.

These details matter because the Great Wall is not difficult only because of its stairs. It is also a ticketing and timing puzzle. A guide who explains the choices on the bus can save you from confusion once you reach the site.

The record is not perfect. One account says the ancient section was canceled and that a guide was not available during the altered visit. That is not a small complaint, since the second wall is the tour’s main selling point.

I would book with realistic expectations. You are paying for a low-cost group service, not a guaranteed private arrangement. Save your booking confirmation, listen carefully to the guide at the meeting point, and ask what happens if the ancient section cannot operate that day.

Who should book this Great Wall tour

I would recommend it most strongly to a first-time Beijing visitor who wants to see Badaling without arranging long-distance transport. You get the famous restored wall, an older and quieter alternative, and a guide who can help with the practical parts.

It also suits you if you want value. The included admissions and transport make $20 unusually competitive, assuming both sections are open. The VIP passage and private parking are useful extras at a busy attraction.

Families and mixed-ability groups may appreciate the cable car option, although the available information does not describe the route in detail. Ask the guide about the North and South Lines before choosing your walk.

Independent hikers should think twice. The large group, fixed schedule, and possible crowding at Badaling may feel restrictive. You may prefer a private transfer or a tour with more time at one section.

The tour is also a reasonable choice for visitors who want contrast rather than only a famous viewpoint. The restored wall shows the version most people picture. The ancient section shows what time and weather do when large restoration projects do not smooth everything out.

Should you book BusDa’s two-wall tour?

Book it if your priorities are low cost, simple transport, and seeing two distinct sections in one day. The combination of included entry, air-conditioned bus service, onboard English guidance, and VIP access at Badaling gives you a lot for $20.

Before booking, make sure you accept three conditions: the group may contain up to 47 people, lunch is your responsibility, and the ancient wall can be canceled. If the second section is the whole reason you are going, confirm its operating status as early as possible and ask what compensation applies if plans change.

I would choose this tour for practical sightseeing, not for a slow or private Great Wall day. With comfortable shoes, cash or mobile payment, patience at Badaling, and close attention to departure times, it offers an efficient way to see both the famous face of the wall and a rougher surviving section.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is Beitucheng Metro Station in Chaoyang, Beijing. You need to arrive independently and show your reservation to staff wearing green BusDa vests.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 10:00 am. The overall activity lasts about eight hours, including travel between Beijing and the two wall sections.

How long do I spend at Badaling Great Wall?

You have about two hours at Badaling. You can choose the North Line or South Line, and a cable car is available as an optional purchase.

Is admission to both Great Wall sections included?

Yes. The package includes entry to Badaling Great Wall and the Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall. The ancient section can sometimes be canceled, so confirm the plan with staff if the itinerary changes.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and personal expenses are not included. Credit cards are not convenient in the scenic area, so bring cash if you do not use Alipay or WeChat.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.