Two Great Wall sections, one stress-free day. This BusDa full-day trip is interesting because it pairs VIP-style logistics with free admission to Badaling, so you spend more time climbing and less time wrestling with transport and tickets. I like that you can choose your climb direction at Badaling (North-line or South-line), and I also like the second stop at the more original Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall segment. One thing to consider: the day’s exact coverage can shift, so keep expectations flexible if the second segment is affected.

You start at 10:00 am from Beitu Cheng subway station (Line info not needed, just follow the meeting point) and you’ll ride in an air-conditioned bus with an English-speaking guide. The group is capped at 47, and there’s an exclusive VIP parking lot for BusDa guests, which matters when you’re heading toward one of Beijing’s biggest crowd magnets.

Plan your money and your feet. Credit cards can be awkward inside the Great Wall scenic area, so bring cash if you don’t use Alipay/WeChat, and wear comfortable shoes because you’ll be walking on uneven stone steps. If you want the cable car, it’s optional and can be handled through the guide during the day.

Key highlights worth knowing

• VIP parking lot for BusDa guests to cut down hassle on arrival and departure
• Free Badaling Great Wall ticket included (valued at 54 RMB)
• VIP passage access (market price 208 yuan) to help you avoid queues and reach key photo spots
• Two wall types in one day: a popular restored section plus an incomplete, less-renovated segment
• North-line or South-line choice at Badaling so you can pick your preferred route
• Onboard guidance includes ticket help and optional upgrades like the cable car

Why a bus tour helps on a Great Wall day

Badaling is famous for a reason: it’s dramatic, well-known, and easy to reach compared with more remote wall sections. It’s also famous for crowds. That’s where this tour earns its keep—rather than letting you piece together transport and tickets on your own, the bus and guide structure your day.

The “value math” is straightforward. Your money isn’t just buying a seat on a bus. You’re also getting included entry to Badaling, plus admission to the Yanqing incomplete segment, and you’re getting an easier path into the main experience via a VIP-style route. In other words, you’re paying to reduce friction on one of the busiest attractions in the area.

And because the tour runs about 8 hours, it fits well if you want a Great Wall day but don’t want your trip to turn into a logistics project.

Meet-up and timing: the 10:00 am run that keeps you moving

The tour starts at 10:00 am at Beitu Cheng subway station (北土城站), Chaoyang District. When you arrive, look for staff wearing a green vest with the BusDa logo. They’ll guide you onto the bus before it departs for Badaling (about 1.5 hours driving time).

This matters because Badaling traffic and ticket lines can eat time fast. Here, the group rides together, and the onboard guide uses the travel time to explain how you’ll handle the wall portion and what ticket options you might want.

You’re not left stranded at the end either. The tour finishes at/near Beijing Olympic Park (the stop listed includes an Olympic Park area pin), which is a practical location if you’re staying anywhere nearby.

Badaling Great Wall: North-line vs South-line and the VIP passage edge

At Badaling, you get about 2 hours for sightseeing. You’ll arrive, then you can choose between the North-line and South-line routes. If you’re the type who likes to control your walking style, this is one of the better parts of the day. You’re not stuck with a single forced itinerary.

The big operational advantage is the VIP passage. BusDa includes access that’s typically sold separately (market price listed as 208 yuan per person) and, in practice, it helps you avoid some crowding at entry. The tour also mentions photo time at the Hero Slab area, which is one of those iconic photo moments people come here for.

A practical tip: your 2 hours will go faster if you stop constantly for photos and viewpoints (which you’ll want to do). So decide early whether you’ll do a shorter climb with more stops, or push farther for fewer pauses. Your direction choice (north or south) can help you align with your preferred pace.

Is Badaling crowded overall? Yes. But the tour’s VIP-style handling is designed to reduce the most annoying parts of that crowd experience—especially where waiting and entry friction can ruin your momentum.

Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall: when you want the more original feel

After Badaling, the tour moves you by bus to the second segment: Yanqing Badaling Incomplete Great Wall, historically referred to as the Ruined Great Wall (残长城). This section is described as a southwestern extension of Badaling, and the key difference is that it retains more of its original, weathered form. It hasn’t had the same large-scale restoration look as the main restored area.

You’ll get about 2.5 hours here. That extra time helps, because this second stop isn’t just a checklist item. It’s where you can slow down a bit and see a different side of the Great Wall—less polished, more rugged, and often with fewer people compared with the core Badaling climb.

One realistic consideration: the description emphasizes fewer crowds, but you’ll still be in a major destination region. Bring patience. Bring water. And expect some uneven stone steps and patchy footing.

Also, keep in mind that the operator’s second segment coverage can change on certain days. If the incomplete segment is affected, you may end up with less of the “two wall types in one day” plan. The best move is to stay flexible and ask the guide what’s running once you’re on-site.

Tickets, cable car options, and the cash-only reality

The tour includes entry tickets for Badaling Great Wall and the Ancient Badaling Great Wall segment. It also includes a cable car option if you select it, but it’s not mandatory.

What’s useful is that ticket handling isn’t left entirely to you. The onboard guide helps you complete reservations for various Great Wall ticket options, and you can make decisions based on what you want for the day. If you’re unsure at the start, you’re not locked into a single choice the moment you board.

Two money notes that can save you stress:

• Lunch isn’t included, so you’ll need to handle your own meal plan.
• In the scenic area, credit cards may not work smoothly. If you don’t have Alipay and WeChat set up, bring some cash.

Cable car note: it can reduce walking (and effort), but you’ll still want to budget time for stairs and viewpoints. If you’re going as a mixed-experience group (some fast walkers, some slower), the cable car can help everyone enjoy the day without everyone sprinting for the next photo.

Group size and pace: what an 8-hour loop really feels like

This is a full-day bus tour, listed at about 8 hours total, with a maximum group size of 47. That’s not a small private van experience, but it’s also not a massive coach crush. The difference you’ll feel is in how quickly you can get everyone moving at each transition.

The day has clear “anchor blocks”:

• Travel time to Badaling (about 1.5 hours)
• 2 hours sightseeing at Badaling
• Transit between segments
• 2.5 hours at the incomplete Great Wall
• Return to Beijing

The pacing is built for flow. After your sightseeing, the guide directs you to the parking lot and moves the group onto the next bus leg. If you like structure, this helps. If you want total freedom with zero group timing, you might find the transitions limiting.

On the people side, communication is a big deal for a day like this. The guide service is English-speaking, and several guide names associated with the experience include Amy, Aria, Betty, Ding, and Evelyn. The main theme across those names: clear updates, practical help with keeping the group organized, and quick problem-solving when ticket details change.

Price and value: why $20 can feel either amazing or disappointing

At $20 per person, the headline price looks like a bargain. But here’s the balanced reality: Great Wall days are expensive if you pay everything individually, and the cost can climb fast once you add transport, entry tickets, and any upgrades.

This tour’s value comes from what’s included:

• Roundtrip downtown transfer in an air-conditioned bus
• English-speaking guide onboard
• Entry to Badaling and the Ancient Badaling Incomplete segment
• Cable car if you choose it
• VIP-style parking and VIP passage access at Badaling

That said, the tour experience is only “best value” if the promised two-segment day actually runs as expected. If the incomplete segment is canceled or adjusted, you may effectively lose part of what you paid for. The good news is that the operator’s guides are reported to handle adjustments with refunds when overpayments happen, but outcomes can vary depending on what changes day-of.

So my advice: treat this as a high-value option, but don’t plan your entire Beijing schedule around needing every segment. If you’re flexible, you’ll feel like you got your money’s worth.

What this tour is best for (and who should think twice)

This is a strong match if you:

• Want a Great Wall day without self-arranging buses and tickets
• Like the idea of seeing two different wall styles in one go
• Prefer group structure plus choices (like the North-line vs South-line decision)
• Value English-speaking help and clear guidance through the busy parts

You might think twice if you:

• Want a fully independent experience with no group timing
• Have very limited mobility or trouble with lots of stairs (the Great Wall involves step-heavy walking)
• Are the kind of traveler who gets upset when an itinerary component changes due to availability

Also, bring a little patience for crowd density at Badaling. The VIP passage helps, but you’re still going to one of the busiest sections on earth.

Should you book BusDa’s Ancient Great Wall & Badaling tour?

I’d book this tour if your priority is a smooth, low-stress Great Wall day with real included value—especially the VIP-style handling at Badaling and the chance to add the incomplete Yanqing segment. At $20, it’s hard to beat when the day runs as planned.

But book with two smart expectations:

• Wear good shoes and plan for long walking time.
• Stay flexible about the second wall segment if you want both sections. If you can accept a simplified version of the day, you’ll enjoy it a lot more.

If you want a Great Wall “best of both worlds” day—popular panorama plus a more original feel—this is a practical pick.

FAQ

How long is the BusDa Great Wall day tour?

It runs for about 8 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is listed as 10:00 am.

Where do I meet the tour?

The meeting point is 地铁北土城站 (Beitu Cheng subway station), Chaoyang, Beijing (100017).

Where does the tour end?

The end point is Beijing Olympic Park (listed as Chaoyang, 100875).

Are admission tickets included?

Yes. Entry tickets for the Badaling Great Wall and the Ancient Badaling Great Wall are included.

Is the cable car included?

A cable car is included only if you select that option. Otherwise it’s optional.

Can I choose between North-line and South-line at Badaling?

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

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

Is the tour group small?

The group size is capped at a maximum of 47 travelers.

What payment should I plan for at the Great Wall scenic area?

Credit cards may not be convenient in the scenic area. If you don’t have Alipay and WeChat, bring some cash.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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