Badaling cable car: South line open, North line closed
Badaling has two separate lifts. The North line is an aerial cable car. The South line is a ground cable car that runs on rails. The North cable car has been out of service for maintenance since late October 2026 and stays closed until 25 December 2026. The South line stays in operation.
A closed North cable car does not close the wall. The northern section of the wall can still be walked, only without the lift. Tickets for the two lines can be used on either one. If you already bought a North ticket, you can ride the South line with it or ask for a refund through the channel where you bought it.
The lines compared
Prices and hours for 2026.
| Line | Type | Top station | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| North cable car | Aerial cable car | Tower N7 | Closed until 25 December 2026 |
| South cable car | Ground cable car on rails | Tower S4 | About CNY 100 one way, about CNY 140 return |
| Sliding car | Separate slide system | North Tower 4 | About CNY 80 one way |
For most visitors the South line is the one to use this season. It is the only cable car running, and it takes you up to tower S4. Choose the sliding car only if you specifically want the ride to North Tower 4.
Our picks: cable car trips
Our take: the train day adds an optional cable car; the priority tour uses the south line both ways; the entry ticket adds the cable car on one option. Check which line runs before you book.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Badaling day trip by high-speed train
- Return high-speed train tickets
- Badaling entry
- Audio guide
Return high-speed train tickets, wall entry and an audio guide, with about four hours at the wall; you get to the station on your own.
Check availability →
Badaling with the south line and priority access
- South funicular both ways
- Priority boarding
- Car park shuttle
Entry, the south funicular both ways with priority boarding and the shuttle from the car park; travel from Beijing is not included.
Check availability →
Badaling entry and cable car ticket
- Badaling entry
- QR code access
- Return cable car on one option
Entry with a QR code, and the return cable car on the matching option. The official entry ticket is CNY 40 in high season if you book it yourself.
Check availability →Badaling tours with the wall
Great Wall day trips from Beijing, with live prices and availability.
What to know before you ride
The details that change the plan.
Tickets and refunds
The cable car is not part of the wall entrance, so you pay for it separately. Tickets for the North and South lines are mutually valid during the maintenance period. A North ticket bought before the closure can be used on the South line or refunded where you bought it.
Badaling Great Wall tickets →Hours of the South line
The South line runs from about 06:30 to 16:30 or from 08:50 to 16:00, with return tickets sold until 14:30 or 13:00 respectively. Plan to arrive early, and ask at the ticket window for the hours on your day.
Opening hours →The sliding car
The sliding car is its own system, starting near the Xiongleyuan bear park and ending at North Tower 4. A one-way ride is about CNY 80. It is not the same as the cable car, and it is not the toboggan at Mutianyu. Ask at the site whether it runs on your day.
Lifts and step-free access
There are elevators and the South ground cable car, but that does not mean every tower is reachable without steps. If you use a wheelchair or walk with difficulty, ask on arrival which parts you can reach.
Mutianyu is different
If you want a toboggan run down from the wall, that is Mutianyu. See the Mutianyu cable car and toboggan, and the comparison in Badaling vs Mutianyu.
Walk instead of riding
With the North line closed, many visitors take the South line up and walk from there. The ride saves the first climb, and you pick your own turn-around point. Wear shoes with grip, because the north side is steeper than the south and parts are windy.
The Badaling hiking guide explains the North and South sections, how steep each one is and which towers the lifts reach.
More Badaling pages
Plan the rest of the day.
Badaling cable car: common questions
Is the Badaling cable car open?
The South line is open. The North cable car has been closed for maintenance since late October 2026 and stays closed until 25 December 2026.
How much does the cable car cost?
Prices for 2026 are about CNY 100 one way and about CNY 140 return on the South line. The sliding car is about CNY 80 one way. Check the price at the ticket window.
Is the cable car included in the entry ticket?
No. The wall entrance and the cable car are separate tickets.
What is the difference between the cable car and the sliding car?
The cable car carries you up to the wall at S4 or N7. The sliding car is a separate slide system to North Tower 4 that starts at the Xiongleyuan area.
Is this the official cable car website?
No. This is an independent guide and does not sell tickets for the cable car. Buy through the official channels at the site.