How to Visit Badaling Great Wall of China by Train

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

1. Dear Sirs/Madam,
   I want to visit Great wall with my 65 years old sisters.
   Please let me know which entrance the most suitable and which hotel we have to book.

   We will come from Wuxi, very appreciate if can guide me for the transportation as well.

   Thank you,
   Marita

2. Hi Marita,

   If you want to use the public transport to visit the Great Wall of China around Beijing，we recommend you go to Badaling Great Wall which is relatively easier to be reached by S2 Trains starting from Huangtuduan Railway Station ( see my blog on how to get there ).

   Personally I recommend you visit Mutianyu Great Wall considering you are traveling with your 65-year-old sister. Mutianyu Great Wall is less crowded than Badaling Great Wall, suitable for seniors and kids. But it is very tricky to use the public transport to get there. Alternatively you may book a join-in group tour or hire a private private car and tour guide to visit Mutinayu Great Wall. Check out the two links below:

   Mutianyu Great Wall Guided Bus Tour
   http://www.tour-beijing.com/coach_tours/bns_1.php

   Mutianyu Great Wall Half day private tour
   http://www.tour-beijing.com/beijing_tours/half_day_tours/great_wall_excursion.php

   As where to stay in Beijing, it largely depends on your budget and favored locations in Beijing. Personally I recommend:

   ibis Jianguomen
   This hotel chain has reaonable prices, good service and location ( only for your reference）.
   Add：No 6 South Jianhua road Beijing
   Book online: http://www.ibis.com/gb/hotel-8253-ibis-beijing-jianguomen/index.shtml
   Tel：010-65671588

   The following pages may be useful for your trip to Beijing:

   Top 10 Tourist Scams in Beijing
   http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/china-travel/tourist-traps-in-china/top-10-tourist-scams-beijing

   Beijing Airport Express Trains
   http://www.tour-beijing.com/travel_blog/beijing_china_sightseeing/beijing_airport_express_train.php

   Beijing Taxi
   http://www.tour-beijing.com/taxi/

   How to Take subway in Beijing
   http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/beijing-tour-reviews/how-to-take-subway-in-beijing

   Have a good time in Beijing!

3. Hello,

   I will be traveling from Shanghai to the Beijing South Station on a Monday, can I purchase a “Yikatong” Transportation Card at that station to use for a trip to Badaling on Tuesday? How much money should we put on it for 2 people? Or do we each need one?

   Is the train currently running from Beijing North Railway Station or the Huangtudian Railway Station as stated above?

   How do we get back from the station (Huangtudian Railway Station or Beijing North, whichever is correct) to the Beijing South station to catch our train to Shanghai?

   We would like to leave for Badaling on the 07:58 train, hike for 2-3 hours and then take the 13:40 train back to Shanghai at 17:15. Is that going to be too tight of a schedule?

   Finally, would you recommend the train over the 877 Bus? Can you use the same Transportation Card for both?

4. Hi Ceira,

   1. Yikatong
   Yes, you can buy a Yikatong. You have to buy two and each for one. You may put 50 yuan ( including 20 yuan deposite ). You may keep Yikatong as a souvenir or return to the ticketing booth on the same day. If you don’t have enough time for returning your Yikatong, you may keep it for future use which will be basically never outdated. It is a transportation card without your identification. If you lose it,then it’s hard foryou to reclaim it. Keep it well!

   2. The S2 trains for Badaling start from Huangtudian Railway Station.

   3. Personally I prefer S2 trains instead of 877 bus for Badaling.Yes, you can use the same Yikatong for the Bus 877.

   4. Your plan “Badaling on the 07:58 train, hike for 2-3 hours and then take the 13:40 train back to Shanghai at 17:15” sounds not bad.

   5. You use the same connected subway routes for your round trip transfer to Badaling and back to Beijing South Railway Station.

   First you take the subway line 4 directly from within Beijing South Railway Station to the north direction and get off at the 9th station of Dongzhimen (东直门) and then interchange for Subway Line 13 and get off at the 8th station of Huoying Station ( 霍营站) and exit from Exit G4. The Exit G4 is only 110 meters to the northwest of Huangtudian Railway Station (黄土店站).

   See the Subway Map http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/Beijing-Subway.png to hone your skill for facilitating your Beijing subway trip.

   Have a nice time in Beijing!

5. Hi. I will arrive at Beijing Capital Airport at 5am on Dec 26th. I want to go directly to Mutianyu Wall from the airport without going into Beijing City first, returning to the airport after a few hours at the Wall. Is it possible to do this independently (and easily! ) without taking an expensive private tour?
   Thank you.

6. Hi Richard George,

   If you have enough time, you may take trains to visit Badaling Great Wall, which is much cheaper than taking a private tour.

7. Hi. I will be travelling to Beijing in this 12 February. In 14 Feb, I want to go to Badaling Greatwall first using the first S2 Train at 06:30. Hiking on Badaling at 08:00 – 11:00, then using taxi to Badaling Ski and skiing until 16:30. Go back to Badaling railway station and go to huangtudian railway station at 17:30 – 19:00. Is that possible to do that? Esspecially to take taxi beetween Badaling Greatwall and Badaling Ski. Thankyou very much. I hope you can reply as soon as possible.

8. Hi Melisa Primatika,

   Happy Holidays!

   It sounds good. Taking the local taxi from Badaling Great Wall to the ski resort is a bit tricky. If you manage it well, your whole trip will be ok. Good luck!

9. Hi. I will be travelling to Beijing and Shanghai. That “Yikatong card, available at Shanghai too? Or only at Beijing?
   Thanks in advance.

10. Dear Ally Mislan,

    Thanks for your inquiry!

    Shanghai has its own Yikatong cards. But Beijing and Shanghai are not computerized in terms of trasportation cards and they are used separately.

11. My husband and I will be going to China in June 2017 and wanted to know whether we are able to purchase train ticket prior to our travel as we will be travelling to various destinations in China?

    I hope you are able to help; and thank you for you support. If you are not able to help perhaps you can suggest a website?

12. Hi Angelina,

    Thanks for your inquiry!

    1. Trains going to Badaling Great Wall
    You cannot book your train tickets in advance. The trains like public buses, just buy your tickets on the spot and go.

    2. For other inter-city train tickets, please check out the travel website for ticket booking:

    http://english.ctrip.com/trains/

    Have a good time in China!

13. Hi. Very informative blog post. I have few questions. Hope you could help.
    I am planning to go to Badaling Great Wall this coming 3rd April with about 15 family members.

    I had read about tourist bus in Qianmen. Which one would you suggest? taking the tourist bus or the S2 train?

    Does the Beijing Railway Station still under construction if I would like to take the S2 train?
    I wish to take early train but I will be staying are Dongsi and if I take an early train, wouldnt it will be packed with people going to work?

    Thanks in advance.

    PS: I am planning to buy the subway transportation card

14. Hi Ami,

    1. Beijing North Railway Station is still under reconstruction. If you want to go to Badaling Great Wall by train, you need to go to Huangtudian Railwai Station for s Trains.

    2. For busing to Badaling Great Wall, you’d better take Bus 877 at Qianmen.

    Getting up earlier for either for Bus 877 or s trains.

    You can buy one transportation card used both for subway and bus. But one card for one person. For 15 persons, you have to buy a card for each person!

    For me, personally I would like to rent a coach for the transfer since 15 persons can easily share the cost.

    Have a nice time in Beijing!

15. Hi !
    Train times for badaling remain the same at Huangtudian Railway Station?

16. Dear Massimo,

    As far as I know, the timetable is the same. If any difference, please kindly update us for the benefit of future visitors. Thanks!

17. Pingback: Beijing and the great wall – Nina the Nomad

18. Hi There!

    I will be arriving at Beijing Railway Station at 3 pm, do you think I still have time to go to The Great Wall? I have really short time in Beijing as another morning I will have to get on the train to Ulan Bator at 11 am, really need to be there. Need your advice.

    Thank you so much

19. Dear The Goog,

    It seems you are a bit late for going to the Great Wall of China per your arrival time. Maybe you should be back to Beijing for the Wall next time.

20. Good evening, I really enjoyed your site, one of the most informative about the great wall. I arrive in Beijing on December 12 at 5:00 am and I’m going to singapore at 00:00 a.m. Would he be able to go to the wall? What is the best path you could indicate? Thank you very much.
    ps: im from brazil

21. Dear Guilherme,

    Glad that you find the article a bit useful.

    In your case, you can take the light express train from Beijing airport and get off the final station, then interchange for subways going to Huangtudian Railway Station where you take S train for Badaling Great Wall. After your visiting the Wall,take the train back and again take subways + the airport express train back to Beijing Capital Airport.

22. I am with my luggage.I will arrive to beijing west railway at 5:30am.Please suggest me the cost effective way to badaling.Can i put my luggage somewhere .?please suggest

23. Dear Rajiv,

    1. You can deposit your luggage at Beijing West Railway Station.There are several Left luggage lockers & offices in and around the station.

    2. You can take subway from West Station ( need interchanging,check out Beijing subway map) to Huoying Station ( 霍营站) and exit from Exit G4. The Exit G4 is only 110 meters to the northwest of Huangtudian Railway Station (黄土店站) where you take S train to Badaling Great Wall.

24. Hi, congratulations for the blog.

    We plan to go on septembre,09 2017.
    It is fine to buy ticktes in the same day of trip to Badaling? We won´t be on trouble?
    Don´t you thing is better to buy tickets in advance (at least one day)? I´ve read in other blogs that is the best way…

    thanks

25. Dear JAIMALO,

    As for the special S train tickets for Badaling, like the tickets for public buses, people are not allowed to buy in advance and have to buy on the spot on the same day. So you’d better get up early to catch the first train. Very often people cannot get the tickets because the train you want to take is full. Good luck to you!

26. Thank you very much!!!

    My hotel is near DONGSI station, how much time do you thing it is necessary to reach the train station and which is the best intinerary to go ? I would have to take everything write down on a peace of paper in the moment to buy the tickts? I really apreciate for your help.

27. Dear JAIMALO,

    Try to catch the first train leaving from DONGSI Station ( Subway Line 2 ) at 5:36 am. You take the subway at Dongsi going in the north direction and get off at the 11th station of Lishuiqiao (立水桥）， then interchange for the subway line 13 going to the west direction and get off at the next station of Huoying （霍营）, exit from Exit G4. The Exit G4 is only 110 meters to the northwest of Huangtudian Railway Station (黄土店站). All the S2 trains ( going to Badaling Great Wall ), originally handled by Beijing North Railway Station, have been moved to the newly built Huangtudian Railway Station (黄土店站) for the three-year transition.

    You again try to catch the first S Train at 6: 30am. If you miss the train, try the second train.

28. Dear JAIMALO,

    Check out the Beijing Subway map below to get yourself familiar with Dongsi Station (Subway Line 5 ), Lishuiqiao Station ( interchange for Subway Line 13 ), Huoying Station (Subway Line 13), exit from Huoying Station and walk to the Huangtudian Railway Station for the S train going to Badaling (八达岭）：

    http://www.tour-beijing.com/subway/bj_subway.jpg

29. Thanks for all this helpful information
    You mentioned that there will be Free shuttle buses from the Badaling train station to the No.01 Tower or to the cable, my question is who can I reach the train station back again, is their also bus or should I walk all the distance back???

30. Dear Sarah,

    Take the same shuttle bus back to the station.Just remember where you drop and find the terminal for the shuttles back to the station.

    Badaling Railway Station to Badaling Great Wall: First Shuttle at 6:00 am and last at 4:00 pm
    Badaling Great Wall to Badaling Railway Station: First Shuttle at 6:15 am and last at 4:15 pm

31. Daniel,

    Thank you again for your blog and the way you help everyone here. I hope we can met someday here in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil where I live.

32. Dear JAIMALO,

    Thanks for reading my travel blogs! Wish you a pleasant time in Beijing China!

33. Hi, Daniel, good morning.

    I am sorry but I have another question:
    If I already have a “Yikatong” card (previously buyed). Can I go directly to the train? Could you explain that, please!

34. Dear JAIMALO,

    Sure, of course, if you have a “Yikatong” card (previously buyed), you just swipe and go, no need for lining up for buying the ticket, and one yuan cheaper than a physical ticket. But you have to maintain at least 16 yuan in your “Yikatong” card before you swipe at the train station. If less, just add some money in your card.

    Have a nice trip!

35. Dear Daniel,

    I have gone through your blog is very useful guide/instruction.

    Now, I’m in Beijing. I stayed in the Hotel near the Jainguomen station. I have plan to visit the Great Wall. Could you let me know or guide me in detail how I can reach the Great Wall?

36. Dear Nalyn,

    Sorry for my delayed reply!

    Jainguomen station? Should be Jianguomen station, right?

    It is relatively easier to visit Badaling Great Wall by train.

    First you take the subway line 2 from Jianguomen station, go in the north direction and get off at the 6th station of Guloudajie (鼓楼大街), then interchange for Subway Line 8 and go in the north direction, get off at the 11th station of Huoying ( 霍营站）and exit from the Exit G4. Huoying Station ( 霍营站) is just next to Huangtudian Railway Station (黄土店站). The Exit G4 is only 110 meters to the northwest of Huangtudian Railway Station (黄土店站).

    Take the S train from Huangtudian Railway Station to Badaling Great Wall.

    Good luck! Any update, please kindly get us informed. Thanks!

37. Dear Daniel,
    I found several schedules for the train S2 on the internet but all are different from each other. Do you know where I can find an official schedule for this train?
    Thank you !!

38. Dear Mathias，

    Thanks for your inquiry!

    I’ve have updated the train schedule. This is the latest update train schedule. Please check out the link again:

    https://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/how-to-visit-great-wall-by-train

    Enjoy your trip!

39. Hi Daniel,

    I will be travelling to Badaling Great Wall with my wife and my 1 year old son this coming December..any advice for me? especially tips for my son..which will climb up the great wall with stroller..thanks

40. Dear Fikry,

    Thanks for your inquiry!

    You’d better take a cable car up to the Wall since you travel with a push stroller.

    If you visit the Great Wall by public transport, we suggest you choose Badaling Great Wall, which is relatively easier using either S train or bus.

    If you visit the Wall by using a private car, we suggest you visit Mutianyu Great Wall, less crowded, better for kids and seniors.

    Have a nice time!

41. Hello Daniel,

    I’m coming from Hefei to beijing by normal train for a work in next week. May be the train will stop at the Beijing train station. How can i go from 42, Guang Hua Lu to great wall by bus?

42. how long is the travel time from huangtudian station to badaling?

43. Dear Krizel,

    Thanks for your inquiry! Do you mean “train travel time between huangtudian station and Badaling Station? It is about one hour to travel from Huangtudian to Badaling by train.

44. Dear Zeenat,

    Just walk from 42, Guang Hua Lu (Banglades Emabssy?) to the Exit B of Jianguomen Subway Station 建国门 ( subway Line 2 ), about 1 km walk.

    Then take the subway in the north direction and get off the at 7th station of Jishuitan (积水潭）exit from the Exit A.Then walk along the sideway in the east direction for about 450 meters, soon you will see a high tower – the Deshengmen Arrow Tower.Deshengmen Bus Station is just below the northern side of the tower. The compound of Deshengmen Arrow Tower is within a roundabout.

    Check out the link below for more information on how to take the Bus 877 to get to Badaling Great Wall:

    https://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/travel-review/badaling-great-wall-bus

    If you want to go to Mutianyu Great Wall by bus, please check out the link below:

    https://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/how-to-get-to-mutianyu-great-wall-by-bus

45. Hi there!

    I am planning a family trip and I came upon your post! I found it really really useful!!

    I would like to ask if we want to take shuttle bus back to the station where the s-trains are located. Do we have to go back to the same location point?

    Thank you!

46. Dear Jollie,

    Last time I took the shuttle bus from the Badaling S Train station to Badaling Great Wall. But I didn’t take the bus back to the station. Basically it is the same place where you get off. Don’t worry about it. Have a fun!

47. January 2018
    5:30 AM land at BCIA
    5:40 enter 24 hr visa line
    6:30 leave visa line, change money, walk to airport transfer express subway
    6:55 subway arrives, 25 yuan
    7:35 arrive at dongzhimen station, walk to line 13, buy ticket for 5 yuan
    7:40 start new subway to huoying station
    8:20 arrive, walk to exit g4, turn right and huangtudian railway is 150 ft away, just follow the signs for badaling
    8:25-30 buy ticket for 7 yuan, board train, sit on the same side as the door you entered for best views
    8:43 leave
    9:55 arrived at the great wall badaling station
    10:10 walked to the great wall entrance, just follow the crowd, bought ticket for 35 yuan
    11:50 made it to tower twelve
    12:30 PM walked back by the street, arrived at train station
    1:19 train leaves
    2:50 arrived at huoying station
    2:55 board subway to dongzhimen
    3:20 arrive and stop in dongzhimen to eat dinner
    4 board airport transfer express
    4:35 arrive at airport
    4:47 airport tram arrives at immigration
    5:05 exit security
    6:55 flight leaves

    Total cost 109 yuan for public transportation during low season

48. I plan to travel by public transport from Badaling great wall to the ming tombs. I understand you can catch bus 879 to do so.

    Where do you exit from the great wall to do this please? How do I get to the bus stop from the exit please?

    Many thanks.

49. Hi,

    Thank you for the very informative information.

    I will be travelling to Beijing this April with my parent. I am wondering if we could walk from Badaling Train Station to the Ticketing Office at Badaling considering one of my parent is car sick.

    Otherwise, do you have better idea to get to great wall by train without taking any bus at all?

    Looking forward for your reply and thanks in advance.

    Regards,
    Suwito (from Singapore)

50. Dear Suwito,

    If your father is carsick, then you have to walk from the station to the ticket office. It is about a 20-minute walk ( a little over one kilometer). Have a nice trip!

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