Badaling Map: Hiking Badaling Great Wall with Map

Q: Is Badaling crowded?

Yes—its the most visited section of the Great Wall. During peak seasons and holidays, it can feel very busy, especially near the entrance and cable car stations.

Badaling Great Wall Map: Station, Cable Car & Hiking Routes

Expert Reviewed

Written by Felicia|Updated: 2026-04-30|Reading Time: 8 min

Badaling Great Wall — the only Great Wall section directly accessible by high-speed train — is located 70 km northwest of Beijing.

As the earliest developed and most fully restored Great Wall section, it is also the most visited among all Great Wall areas, largely thanks to its convenient high-speed rail connection.

This Badaling Great Wall Map will guide you through its magnificent scenery. It includes detailed maps to help you learn where it is, how to get there, top highlights and best travel routes.

4 Key Takeaways

Badaling Great Wall can be reached from Beijing North Station by high-speed train in about 30 minutes.
It is divided into North and South sections. The South Section is shorter, easier and less crowded. The North Section is more popular with more visitors.
The North Section has a cable car to North 8, the highest point, and a ground rail pulley at North 4 for going downhill. The visit takes about 2–3 hours.
The South Section has a ground rail cable car to South 4, the highest point. The visit takes about 1 hour.

Content Preview

Location Map: Where is Badaling Great Wall on a Map
Layout Map: First Impressions of the Badaling Great Wall
Attractions Map: What to See in Badaling Great Wall
Travel Map: How to Go Up and Down at Badaling Great Wall
Badaling Great Wall Vs. Other Sections of the Great Wall

Location Map: Where is Badaling Great Wall on a Map

Badaling Great Wall On Beijing Map with Distance and Travel Time

Badaling Great Wall (116.0168° E, 40.3562° N) is located 70km northwest of Beijing city center. On the map, you can see that Badaling just sits along the Beijing-Zhangjiakou high speed railway, making it a big advantage for tourists choosing Badaling section.

How to Get there?

By High-Speed Train (Fastest & Best)

Take the high-speed train from Beijingbei (Beijing North) Railway Station to Badaling Great Wall Station.

The ride only takes about 20–30 minutes, and the wall entrance is within a short walk from the station, about 10 minutes.

Bullet Train Tickets from Beijing to Badaling

Second Class: ¥25-28 (~$4)
First Class: ¥40-45 (~$7)
Business Class: ¥85 (~$13)

By Bus

Take Bus 877 from Beitucheng Station (Metro Line 8 & Line 10) directly to Badaling. It's economical and runs frequently, with a one-way trip of around 1.5-2 hours, only for ¥6 (less than $1).

By Car

Drive along the Expressway to Badaling Exit. Parking is available near the entrance, followed by a short shuttle ride to the ticket gates.

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Layout Map: First Impressions of the Badaling Great Wall

Badaling is the best-restored, most accessible Great Wall section. The wall splits into North Section (12 towers, steeper, iconic) and South Section (7 towers, gentler, less crowded) from the central Guan Cheng (Pass City) — the main entrance & starting point.

North Section: North 1 → North 12 (North 8 = highest point, 888m, "Hero Slope")
South Section: South 1 → South 7 (South 4 = best viewing platform)

Badaling Great Wall Layout Map with 2 Different Areas

Map note:

This map shows the full layout of Badaling. You can easily identify the marked areas:

North & South sections highlighted with frames
High-speed rail station
Central Guan Cheng
Ground rail in the South area
Cable car and pulley routes in the North area
All towers from North 1 to North 12 and South 1 to South 7

From the map, you can clear see the key spots including Guan Cheng (Main Entrance), Cable Car Stations, Pulley (Toboggan) Station, and towers in northern and southern scenic area.

Attractions Map: What to See in Badaling Great Wall

Badaling Great Wall Attractions Map with Main Towers and Highlight Spots

This map highlights the most popular spots with labels and corresponding photos.

From the map, you can see the key tourist spots below:

Guan Cheng (Pass City) – Central hub, main wall entrance, ticket office, info center, museum

North 4 Tower – Famous "Hero Stele" photo spot, pulley station below

North 8 Tower (Viewing Platform) – Highest point (888m), panoramic views of winding wall, end of most hiking routes

North 12 Tower – Far end of open North Section

South 4 Tower – Best south-side viewpoint, gentle slope, cable car station

Ground Rail Cable Car (South) – Runs to South 4, stable and convenient for all visitors

Cable Car (North) – Up to North 7 Tower (fast for seniors/families)

Pulley (Toboggan) – From North 4 down to entrance (fun downhill ride)

Bear Park – Near main entrance, after hiking

Travel Map: How to Go Up and Down at Badaling Great Wall

Badaling Great Wall Travel Map shows 3 Different Travel Routes

Route 1: Classic North Line (Most Popular, 2.5–3.5 hrs, Moderate)

Path: Guan Cheng → North 1 → North 4 (Hero Stele) → North 8 (Hero Slope, Highest Point) → North 11 → Take Pulley / Walk back to Guan Cheng

Best for: First-time visitors, photo seekers, moderate fitness

Map note: Follows the main crowded but well-paved path; North 8 is the must-see peak

Tips for Northern Section:

North line is steeper and more challenging with better panoramic views. Also more crowded
There are 12 towers in total on the North Line. North 8 is the highest point.
If hiking the whole way, it takes about 2.5–3 hours from North 1 to North 8.
North 4 and North 7 have the pulley and cable car stations. Vending machines are available here for bottled water with mobile payment.
The section from North 8 to North 9 is downhill but very steep and long — the most difficult part of the North Line.
Exiting at North 11 leads to Bear Park, which you can visit if you have time.

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Route 2: South Line (Quiet, Easy, 1–1.5 hrs)

Path: Guan Cheng → South 1 → South 4 (Best View) → Down by ground rail

Best for: Families with kids, seniors, short time, avoiding crowds

Map note: Gentle slope, fewer people, great for relaxed walking & photos

Tips for Southern Section:

South line is easier and gentler, quieter and less crowded, also shorter with more relaxed hike
There are 7 towers on the South Line. South 4 is the highest point and recommended as your turn-back spot.
Hiking from South 1 to South 4 takes about 30 minutes; the ground rail cable car takes only 8 minutes.
The path from South 3 to South 4 is relatively steep, with handrails for support.

Route 3: Full Loop (Comprehensive, 4–6 hrs, Challenging)

Path: Guan Cheng → South 1 → South 4 → Down by ground rail → Cross over to South Section → Cable Car up to North 8 → North 4 → Take Pulley / Walk back to Guan Cheng

Best for: Strong hikers, full experience

Map note: Covers all open sections; long walk, wear sturdy shoes

Full Loop Tips

The North and South sections are not connected at the far ends.You cannot walk directly from North 12 to South 7, or vice versa — you must return to Guan Cheng to switch sections.
Recommended order for elderly visitors: North Cable Car (to North 7) → Ground Rail Cable Car (to South 4) → Hiking → Pulley Toboggan

Badaling Great Wall Vs. Other Sections of the Great Wall

Different Sections of Great Wall On Beijing Map with Distance

Section	Distance from Beijing	Transport Time (One-way)	Key Highlights
Badaling	~70 km	1–1.5 hrs (bus/S2/high-speed rail)	Most famous, fully restored, best facilities, closest to city, most crowded, Accessible by bullet train
Mutianyu	~75 km	1.5–2 hrs (bus/car)	90% forest cover, cable car + toboggan, less crowded, wide gentle paths, Tower 14–20 (peak view)
Jinshanling	~130 km	2.5–3 hrs (car/tour bus)	Original Ming structure, dense watchtowers, sunrise/sunset, few tourists, photo paradise
Simatai	~120 km	2.5–3 hrs (car)	Only original Ming wall open for night tours, steep & narrow, connected to Gubei Water Town
Jiankou	~80 km	2 hrs (car)	Wild & unrenovated, dramatic ridges, no facilities
Juyongguan	~50 km	1 hr (bus/car)	Circular wall, Yun Tai (ancient stone carvings), military fortress feel
Huanghuacheng Lakeside Great Wall	~70 km	1.5–2 hrs (car/bus)	Unique "Great Wall entering water" landscape, lake views, boat rides, quiet & scenic

Frequently Asked Questions

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How do I get to Badaling from Beijing? +

The easiest ways are:

High-speed train from Beijing North Railway Station (about 30 minutes)
Tourist bus or direct shuttle
Private car or guided tour (most convenient)

What's the best time to visit Badaling? +

Best seasons: Spring (Apr–May) and Autumn (Sep–Oct). Best time of day: Early morning (before 9:00 AM) or late afternoon. Avoid weekends and Chinese holidays if possible—it gets very crowded.

How long should I spend at Badaling? +

Most visitors spend 2–4 hours exploring the wall. If you like hiking or photography, you may want to stay longer.

Is Badaling crowded? +

Yes—it's the most visited section of the Great Wall. During peak seasons and holidays, it can feel very busy, especially near the entrance and cable car stations.

Is it difficult to walk the Great Wall at Badaling? +

It depends on the section: Some parts are steep with uneven steps, Others are relatively gentle and paved. You can choose easier routes or take a cable car to save energy.

Can I visit Badaling independently, or should I join a tour? +

Both work well. Independent travel is easy thanks to trains and buses. Guided tours save time and include transport + explanations.

Are there better alternatives to Badaling? +

If you prefer fewer crowds, consider: