Beijing Travel‼ ️Climbing the Badaling Great Wall with my parents (less tiring and less crowded version)

When visiting Beijing, climbing the Great Wall is an absolute must—no trip to the capital is truly complete without this iconic experience!

Summer sees a surge in tourists flocking to Beijing, and when I took my parents to climb the Great Wall recently, I spent quite a while weighing up the options. With choices like Badaling, Mutianyu, and Juyongguan, we settled on Badaling, especially since it was their first time. It’s more convenient than Mutianyu and just as awe-inspiring.

Unsurprisingly, Badaling gets extremely busy in summer. So, if you’re traveling with parents or kids, picking a route that’s easy on the legs and less crowded is key. Stick to this path, and you’ll dodge the worst of the crowds, avoid exhaustion, and still soak in breathtaking views.

🗺️ Less crowded, less tiring route:
Badaling Great Wall Station ➡️ North 1st Tower ➡️ North 7th Tower ➡️ North 12th Tower ➡️ Badaling Bear Park ➡️ Commercial Street ➡️ Badaling Great Wall Station

1️⃣ Catch the high-speed rail from Qinghe Station to Badaling Great Wall Station. Once you exit the station, turn right to reach the Badaling North Line Aerial Cableway.
2️⃣ Take the cableway up to the North 7th Tower, then make your way up to the North 8th Tower—the highest point on this stretch. From here, you’ll be rewarded with a sweeping panoramic view of the Badaling Great Wall, a sight that’s truly majestic.
3️⃣ From the North 8th Tower, descend to the North 9th Tower, continuing all the way to the North 12th Tower. This section involves mostly downhill walking, so it’s much less tiring. After reaching the North 12th Tower, head back to the North 11th Tower to begin your descent down the mountain.
4️⃣ Walk down from the North 11th Tower, passing through the Bear Park, Commercial Street, and the entrance area before returning to Badaling Great Wall Station.

🎫 Tickets: One-way cableway + entry ticket = 140💰
🚆 Transportation: The high-speed rail journey takes 22 minutes, with a round-trip cost of 40💰.
🔴 Outbound trains:

• D6723: Departs Qinghe at 09:01, arrives at Badaling Great Wall at 09:23
• D6719: Departs Qinghe at 14:04, arrives at Badaling Great Wall at 14:26
  🔴 Return trains:
• D1152: Departs Badaling Great Wall at 13:51, arrives at Qinghe at 14:11
• D1018: Departs Badaling Great Wall at 18:47, arrives at Qinghe at 19:07

‼️ Practical tips:
✅ Morning train tickets are tough to secure. The 14:04 afternoon train is a great alternative—fewer people, cooler weather, and you’ll get to check out the black bears at the Bear Park.
✅ Book tickets in advance! You can use your ID card to scan through, which is incredibly convenient. Bring a bottle of water for the climb, but save your money for refills at Commercial Street (it’s cheaper than buying near the exit).
✅ The descent from the North 8th to the North 11th Tower is steep—hold onto the railing and lean back slightly to stay balanced. Older visitors should wear sturdy hiking shoes. Beyond the North 9th Tower, crowds thin out, making it ideal for taking photos. And don’t skimp on sun protection!