How to Visit Badaling Great Wall of China by Train

212 thoughts on “How to Visit Badaling Great Wall of China by Train”

1. Hi – I am planning to travel by train to Badaling on the 23rd/ 24th October, are the trains likely to be busy at this time? How early would you get to the station before catching the train? Thank you

2. Hello Kathryn,

   Basically on the 23rd/ 24th October, the trains will not be very busy. There are 5 morning trains from Beijing North Railway Station to Badaling Great Wall. Just go there and buy your ticket and go. If the train you are going to take fills up, then you just wait for the next train. Have a good time!

3. WE will be going to Beijing on November 18, at that time is crowded to travel to Badaling? How cold is the weather?

4. Hello JOSUE,

   The foot traffic at Badaling Great Wall is not heavy because Beijing has entered the low tourist season after mid-November. As for the December weather in Beijing, please check the link below:

   http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/beijing-weather/beijing-in-december/

5. Hi

   Are smart card and IC card referring to the same thing? If I purchase this card, do I still have to queue to buy tickets for S-trains tickets at the counter or I can just proceed to the platform?

   Pls advice thanks

6. Hello Val,

   Yes, smart card and IC card refers to the samething. If you have a IC card, you don’t have to queue to buy your tickets for S Train. You just swipe the card across the sensor and proceed to the platform, like taking subway.

7. I just visited Badaling via the S2 train today. The smart card is definitely the way to pay for the trip. Just swipe the card upon entry to the waiting room at the Beijing North Station and on your way out at the Badaling station. Total cost: 6 rmb each way. The 7:58 train out of Beijing was quite crowded. One did have to run to get a good seat. The return trip at 11:50 was mostly empty. Note that the S212 11:19 train from Badaling back to Beijing did not exist (at least not today, a Monday). Taking the S2 train is the best option for a Great Wall visit if you want to minimize cost and have the most flexible travel times. It may also be the quickest.

8. Hi Mike,

   Much aprreciated! Very useful travel information about S Trains!

9. Hi
   I would like to travel from Kathmandu to Greatwall by train, are there any trains available?, from ther I would like to travel to Hong Kong, any ideas to travel by train to these destinations?

10. Hello Jagannathan,

    There are no trains linking Kathmandu and Great Wall. Suggest you first go from Kathmandu to Lhasa by flight or bus, then connect trains from Lhasa to Beijing where you can hike the Great Wall of China. Then continue to travel Hong Kong from Beijing by train. Have a good trip to China!

11. Thanks for the detailed information. I will be trying this on November 7th!

12. Hello Jim,

    Hope you have a good trip to the Wall. Any question, just drop a line. After your trip, if you have any suggestions and travel experience, you are welcome to advise us to update the blog. Thanks!

13. Hi Daniel,
    I want to visit the Badaling section of the Great Wall late Dec/early Jan. Is there a possibility it may not be accessible due to bad weather/ice?

14. Hello Matt,

    Basically, Badaling Great Wall is open all year around except for extreme weather like heavy snow, which blocks the way to the Wall. But this rarely happens.

15. The directions were perfect.. Including the heads up not to go to the underground part of beijing north railway station. I asked my hotel about the IC card and they wrote it down on a piece of paper in Chinese and it worked like a charm when I went to the local subway station and gave the conductor RMB 50 (RMB 20 for card deposit and loaded with RMB 30). It was as simple as tapping it on the sensor before going through the security check. (There’s a security check for subway and a trains in beijing).
    Overall it was busier than I thought for a Thursday but phenomenal weather and great experience. Thanks again for your guidance!!

16. Hello Jim,

    Glad you’ve enjoyed your train trip to Badaling Great Wall!

    Thanks for writing your experience of buying and using IC card! Your travel experience is useful to other visitors. Thanks!

17. Hello I will be traveling to Beijing shortly..can any shed some light on how best to obtain local currency? I’m traveling from Canada.

18. Hello Ester,

    You may change some amount of money through the banks in Canada. Or you may do the money exchange at Beijing airport when you arrive in Beijing.

19. Three of us plan to go the Great Wall by train from Balading on 29 December from bejing north station. Do you know if the trains will run then. How long do you recommend staying at Great Wall?

20. Hello Nigel,

    Yes,the trains run everyday. Usually people would spend 2 hours up and down the wall. If you don’t have strong legs, you may take cable car up and walk down.

21. Hi – Is it safe to climb the wall on January 12?

22. Hello Dar,

    Basically it is safe to hike the Wall in winter. You need to wear warmly and avoid climbing the Wall when it is snowing or after a heavy snow.

23. Hi, what is the fastest way to go to Badaling if i arrive in Beijing South Station around 7-7.30 am? Should i use S train or bus no 877? (I will be there on 3rd of March, is it more tourist on Sunday? or is it high season on that time?) thanks

24. Hello Ray,

    The fastest way is to take a taxi directly from Beijing South Railway Station to Badaling. You may also either take Bus 877 or S Trains. Early March is a shoulder season in Beijing. Yes, there weill be more tourists on Sunday than weekdays. Have a good time in Beijing.

25. Hi, I will be visiting Badaling Great Wall of China in 29 March 2014 (saturday) by S Trains. Are the trains likely busy or crowded by the tourists (maybe a peak season) at that time? Is the season is just right to visit the great wall and what clothes seems convenient to wear at this season? Thanks.

26. Hello Zetty,

    With the passing of the dry and harsh January and February, March foresees the local weather will become warmer. But people can still feel a bit chilly in March with possible sandstorm. The S Trains are likely busy at the end of March. So go there early to have seat on the train. So The weather around March 29 could be still a bit chilly, plus the possible dust in March, you need to wear a jacket or a dustcost. Put on a pair of sportshoes.

27. Hi, I’m a bit confuse about Botanical Garden and Jinzhan Tulip Garden. I will be travelling to Beijing late of this March and I found out, it’s in spring. I thought, this is awesome to visit some parks to see flowers in Beijing. And I love to see tulips in Beijing. My questions are..

    1)Is the Jinzhan Tulip Garden is inside or within the Beijing Botanical Garden?
    2)What fee I have to pay to enter the Jinzhan Tulip Garden and how to get there? (by bus or subway)

    Thank you.

28. Hello Zetty,

    1) No, Jinzhan Tulip Garden has nothing to do with Botanical Garden. Jinzhan Tulip Garden is located in the noertheast of Beijing while Botanical Garden in the northwest of Beijing. Jinzhan Tulip Garden is about 6km southwest of Beijing Capital Airport and 12km to the southeast of Dongzhimen of Beijing.

    2) You may take bus 418、364、735、853. Entrance fee: RMB 15

29. Hi,

    Thank you for your helpful article. I will be in Beijing during the the first week of March for work and have Sunday afternoon free. Is it practical to catch the 13:00 train from Beijing to the Great Wall? In you opinion will this give me enough time to see the wall before it gets dark? I would love to see this great wonder of the world but do not want to get there and find I don’t have enough time to enjoy it.

    Thank you

30. Hello Dean,

    Yes, it is doable if you are going to spend two hours on the Wall and take the S train back.

31. I would like to visit Badaling Great Wall in the morning (24 March) and the Summer Palace in the afternoon. Do I have enough time to do both in one day? What would be the easiest transportation option to do this (starting at Beijing North Railyway Station)? Thank you

32. Hello Sarah,

    Maybe you should take the earliest S train from Beijing North Railway Station to Badaling Great Wall. After Badaling, back to Beijing North Railway Station take subway line 4 and get off at the station of Beigongmen (北宫门),the north gate to Summer palace.

33. Wow Daniel! I’m so impressed that you answer everyone’s questions so well & fast! I just wanted to ask. We are planning to visit the Great Wall in first half of April with a baby stroller. Do you have any tips on what to wear, which time/day train would be emptiest? With the baby, we’d definitely prefer to get on a train rather than waiting for the next one. Thank you!

34. Hello Paula,

    Happy Chinese New Year!

    1) What to wear during the first half of April
    The first half of April is getting warmer in Beijing after a long, cold and dry winter season. Beijing is greener and more colorful. You can see apricot flower, cherry blossoms, and a bit of peach flowers. The historical climate records show that the temperature for the first half of April ranges from 6℃ (night) and 18℃(day). So just a jacket and a thin sweater. Also it is not a bad idea to have a wind coast since late March and early April could possibly see a dust storm ( not sure ).

    2) which time/day train would be emptiest?
    Never empty since the first half of April has entered the tourist high season. Just get up early and try to catch the earliest S train for Badaling. Free seating, early birds get the seats.

    Just a kind reminder. If you travel with your baby, you are advised to go to Mutianyu Great Wall which is less crowded with beautiful views, suitable for visitors with kids. But there are no trains going to Mutianyu. You may take the Toutrist Bus No.867 directly from Dongzhimen Public Transport Hub (东直门交通枢纽）to Mutianyu Great Wall. The Tourist Bus 867 operates two daily departures: Start at 7:00am and 8:30am; return at 2:00pm and 4:00pm
    Valid time: from March 15 – Nov 15 each year.

    The link below shows you how to get to Dongzhimen Public Transport Hub:

    http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/dongzhimen-public-transport-hub/

    For more information on Beijing public buses, please click the link below:

    http://www.tour-beijing.com/public_bus/

    Have a great time in Beijing!

35. Hi,

    This has been excellent page to clarify our questions. Kudos to all who has been responding.

    Can anyone please give me a tour plan:
    – I plan to reach Beijing from Shangai by around 1200 PM on 1st March
    – Will be taking flight out at 1700hrs on 2nd March
    – I plan to stay near forbidden city/T square

    I would like to visit Mutianyu Great Wall (must), Ming tombs, T square and forbidden city and anything must see (please suggest) places which can fit into the itinerary. I would like to take airport express from hotel near forbidden city to Airport.

    Can anyone suggest best way for do-it-yourself plan which uses maximum public transports with least effort? I will usual airport baggage (1+1). Please suggest.

    Thanks!

36. Hello Tilak,

    You only have two half days’ time for your Beijing trip. You leave at 5:00pm on March 2. That means you have to leave your hotel near Tiananmen Square around 2:30pm on March 2 for Beijing airport. So within the two half days you really have a short period of time for a big city like Beijing. You say you would like to use maximum public transports with least effort, which, we think, makes your travel plan even more difficult to carry out since the public transport in Beijing is daunting and time-consuming, even for locals.

    We suggest you visit Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Jingshan Park ( where you can see sunnset and view the axis of Beijing ) on the afternoon of March 1. Next day take the early S train to Badaling Great Wall instead of Mutianyu Great Wall. Then take S Train back to Beijing North Railway Station where you take subway and interchange for airport express train to the airport. S trains are puntual, so you can control your time while as for the buses to Mutianyu, you have to connect the local bus in Huiarou and it is hard for you to schedule your travel.

    If you must visit Mutianyu Great Wall, basically you should take a taxi. Have a good time in Beijing!

37. I am interested in seeing the more “wild” parts of the Great Wall. If I took the S Train to Badaling will there be buses or taxis at Badaling that travel to other sections of the wall?

38. Hello Nikolai,

    Yes, when you arrive at the restored Badaling Great Wall, you may try to find a local mini bus or taxi to get to the unrestored and wild Badaling Great Wall that is often called Badaling Ancient (Ruined) Great Wall (八达岭古长城), also known as Shixiaguan Great Wall). The Badaling Ancient Great Wall ( or Shixiaguan Great Wall) is about 5km to the southwest of Badaling Great Wall.

    See my blog relative to Shixiaguan Great Wall ( also known as Shixiaguan Great Wall or Badaling Ancient Great Wall ):

    http://www.tour-beijing.com/great_wall/2_day_great_wall_hiking/broken_great_wall.php

39. Hi,
    Really a great webpage and provides lot of information about Badaling Great Wall.

    I will be visiting Beijing next full week (Monday to Saturday), but unfortunately have only half day for my personal visit and that too is Saturday 12th April.
    I have a flight from Beijing to Shanghai on Saturday at 16:20, so i need to be back Airport by or before 3PM so that i will not miss my flight. I need some suggestions.
    Can i make to earliest train S201 6:12 from Beijing Railway North Station to Badaling Great Wall, i have to come from place near Guomao Subway. What time i should start from Guomao to catch first S train?
    So if i catch first Train and reach Badaling at 7:31, will i be able to make it to wall and catch return train as early as possible, may be Train S210 at 10:50. Will i be able to cover the most of Great wall in this time?
    What time the wall entry Starts? is there any entry fee to the wall? If i carry my luggage (2 Medium bags) to the wall, is there a provision to keep/store my luggage at badaling or Beijing railway station till the time i am back from great wall and then take direct expressway to Airport?

    Please Suggest..

40. Hello Meer,

    Glad that the page is of some use to you!

    1. If everything goes smoothly, it seems you can carry out your travel plan.
    The first train starts from Guomao at 5:32, you take the subway line 1 from Guomao Station to the west direction and get off at the second station of Jianguomen Station (建国门), then interchange for the loop subway line 2 (preferred north direction ) and get off at the Xizhimen Station （西直门）， exit from Exit A, then you see the Beijing North Railway Station. Approx. you will arrive from Guomao Station to Beijing North Railway Station around 6:00am.

    2. There is a luggage deposit office in the train station, but I’m not sure it will be open at such an early hour. Besides, you need to buy your ticket within the short time. I suggest you purchase a “Yikatong” pass (a Beijing bus IC card). The card can be used for public bus, subway, S trains for Badaling and airport express train. The card can save you time.

    3. If you catch the first train for Badaling, basically you need 2 hours on the wall.

    4. Then take S train back to Beijing North Railway Station, again take subway line 2 from Xizhimen Station just next to Beijing North Railway Station, take the subway line 2 to the north direction and get off at the Dongzhimen Station(东直门), then interchange for the Airport Express Train and get off at the T2 or T3 ( make sure you get off at T2 or T3 per your flight ).

    Total Cost: Goumao – Xizhimen Subway RMB2 + Two way S Train RMB 12 + Xizhimen – Dongzhimen Subway RMB2 + Airport Express Train RMB25 = RMB41.

    I suggest you buy a Yikatong Pass ( Par value RMB100) in advane to save your queuing time. You can keep the pass for next time in Beijing or just as a souvenir.

    If you miss your luggae deposit at Beijing North Railway Station, you may take you two bags and deposit them at Badaling Railway Station ( not sure). Also, At the Badaling Great Wall there is a luggage deposit which is located at Great Wall Museum.

    By the way, the following links may be useful for you:

    1. Beijing Subway Line 1 ( http://www.tour-beijing.com/subway/line_1.php )
    2. Beijing Subway Line 2 ( http://www.tour-beijing.com/subway/line_2.php )
    3. Beijing Airport Express Train
    http://www.tour-beijing.com/travel_blog/beijing_china_sightseeing/beijing_airport_express_train.php

    Have a good time in Beijing!

41. I could make the trip today because the train I wanted (7:58) does not run Tuesdays Wednesdays or Thursdays, the same with the return trains, there are less trains back so I couldn’t come back with enough time to carry on with my travels (heading to Xian). I took a picture of the timetable for Tue Wed & Thu which I can send you so you can update the info on the page.

42. Dear Rocio,

    Much appreciated! Please kindly email us at tourbeijing(at)aliyun.com. We’re trying to update the post to benefit new travelers. Thanks again for your kindness!

43. I am 63 year old lady from Singapore. Visiting Badaling with my 8 year old grandson.
    This will be 1-7 June 2014. I see that the pulley ride up the Great Wall looks like a lot of fun.
    But it is not recommended for the elderly. Please let me know why it is not safe for the elderly.

44. Hello Jacqhan,

    Basically, we won’t recommend seniors to use the pulley. By the way, I suggest you and your grandson hike Mutianyu Great Wall instead of Badfaling Great Wall. Mutianyu Great Wall is less crowded than Badaling Great Wall.

    Check http://www.tour-beijing.com/travel_blog/great_wall_hiking/mutianyu_great_wall.php

45. Hello Jacqhan,

    But Badaling Great Wall has convenient transportation and you can take S trains to Badaling Great Wall.

46. Hello,

    I would like to inform if the train schedule for going from Beijing North Railway Station to Badaling and back is still the same as published here, without any changes. Concretely, we would like to a train departing from Beijing at 10:57 am. What do you think, is it a good time to take it?

    Many thanks.

47. Hello Michal，

    Yes, the S train No.209 ( 10:57 ） is still available. Personally, I think it is a good time to travel since you can avoid the peak hour. Have a good time!

48. Hi Daniel,

    It’s so nice seeing you helping all of us here.
    Just a quick ask. I’m going to stay at the beijing hotel (it’s downtown right, not doing much of my beijing homework.. hehe), where is the nearest great wall from there? actually I only have 1 full day in beijing, the next early morning (4 am) have to go back to my country, and its going to be my first time in beijing, could you suggest me where should I go to enjoy beijing attractions in such limited time.
    thanks a lot..

49. Hello Dolly,

    Beijing Hotel (北京饭店) has a super location with a walking distance to Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, further to Jinshan Park where you can have a panoramic view of Forbidden City. I suggest you get up early and take subway line 1, then interchange for subway line 2 to get to Beijing North Railway Station where you take the earliest S Train to Badaling Great Wall. After the Wall, back to Beijing North Railway Station. Again take subway lines to get to Tiananmen Square.

    After visiting Tiananmen Square, walk north to Forbidden City from its south gate and exit from its north gate. Just opposite the North gate is the south entrance to Jingshan Park ( Jingshan Hill). Just climb up the Hill for a bird-eye view of Forbidden City.

    Then you take a taxi or walk back to your hotel if you have strong legs. It is relatively difficult to hail a taxi there. Keep in mind that don’t use the rickshaw service due to the possible scams involved.

    Have a good time in Beijing!

    Add on:

    How to visit Forbidden City

    Jingshan Hill not to be missed

50. Hi Daniel,

    Thank you again for the useful info. One more thing I curious about badaling, how about the Tourist bus
    : No. 1 at Front Gate ( Qianmen );
    No. 2 at Beijing Railway Station;
    No. 3 at East Bridge;
    No. 4 at Xizhi Gate or Beijing Zoo

    how much is the cost? how long the travel time? are they serve in many schedule?
    also, if I only intend to go to badaling, is it better to buy smart card? 5 RMB for 1 way?
    Thank you.

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