Badaling Great Wall facts at a glance
Badaling is a Ming-era section of the Great Wall in Yanqing district, about 60 km northwest of Beijing. It is one section, not the whole Great Wall. The figures below describe Badaling only, so do not mix them with the length of the entire Great Wall.
Some figures depend on what is counted, such as the height of the highest tower and the number of towers. This page gives each figure with what it measures, so you can plan with a realistic picture. For the story behind the numbers, read the Badaling Great Wall history. If you want to see the wall on a day out, our overview of day trips and tours to Badaling covers the options.
The key numbers
Figures for Badaling, with what each one measures.
| Item | Figure | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Public length | 3,741 m | The publicly accessible section: south 1,176 m, north 2,565 m |
| Enemy platforms | 16 | Platforms on that 3,741 m stretch, not a count of every tower |
| Main restored section | N12 to S7 | The early restored stretch, from north tower N12 to south tower S7 |
| Southern extension | 1,245 m | S7 to S16½, small reserved groups only |
| Height of tower N8 | 888 m or about 1,015 m | Given as 888 m or about 1,015 m, see below |
| Adult entry fare | CNY 40 / 35 | High season (1 April to 31 October) and low season, base fare for 2026 |
| Visitors in 2018 | 9.9 million | Visits, not individual people |
| Daily limit | 65,000 | Introduced on 1 June 2019, check the current rule |
| Station depth | 102 m of cover | High-speed station Badaling Great Wall, 62 m height difference for travellers |
For most visitors, the two numbers that matter are the entry fare and the opening hours. Everything else is background for how much wall you will realistically walk.
Our pick: a guided day
Our take: a day tour with entry and a guide on the bus option.
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.
Day trips to the Badaling Great Wall
Tours from Beijing to Badaling and the Ming tombs, with live prices and availability.
Length, towers and elevation explained
Why you meet different numbers online.
Length of the section
The figure 3,741 m is the length of the section that was open to the public. It is split into a south part of 1,176 m and a north part of 2,565 m. It is not the length of the Great Wall. The southern extension from S7 to S16½ adds a further 1,245 m, but only for small, reserved and organised groups, so it is not part of a normal visit.
Towers and numbering
Towers carry a number with N for the north route and S for the south route. The early restored section runs from N12 to S7. The count of 16 refers to the enemy platforms on the 3,741 m section. Counts of towers vary with what is included, so use 16 only for that section.
The height of tower N8
Tower N8 is the steep and windy high point of the north route. Its height is given as 888 m or as about 1,015 m. Treat it as "888 m or about 1,015 m" and do not rely on one value to compare with other walls.
How steep is it?
The north section is steeper than the south section. The slope changes along the route, so do not rely on claims of exact angles. The south section is the gentler of the two. See hiking the north and south sections for the routes.
The deep high-speed station
The station Badaling Great Wall lies underground. It has up to 102 m of cover and a 62 m height difference for travellers, and is described as the deepest underground high-speed station in China. It is a different station from Badaling Station, which the S2 line uses. Check the Chinese station name when you buy a ticket.
Facts for planning your visit
Prices and hours for 2026.
Entry and free groups
The base fare is CNY 40 in high season and CNY 35 in low season for adults, and CNY 20 or CNY 17.50 reduced. Visitors under 18 and from 60 years old enter free, with valid documents. For all groups see Badaling Great Wall tickets.
Opening hours
High season runs from 1 April to 31 October, 06:30 to 16:30. Low season runs from 1 November to 31 March, 07:30 to 16:00. Last entry and closing time are not the same, so read Badaling opening hours before you plan the day.
The 1987 listing
The UNESCO listing in 1987 covers the Great Wall as a whole. It is not a date for Badaling and not a construction date.
Visitor numbers
Visits in 2018 were 9.9 million. A daily limit of 65,000 visits applied from 1 June 2019. Allow extra time on public holidays.
If you are comparing sections, the neighbouring wall at Mutianyu has its own figures, and our Badaling vs Mutianyu page sets the two side by side.
More to read before you go
Pages that put the numbers to use.
Badaling Great Wall facts: frequently asked questions
How long is the Badaling Great Wall?
The public section is 3,741 m long, with 1,176 m in the south part and 2,565 m in the north part. The southern extension from tower S7 to S16½ adds 1,245 m for small reserved groups. These figures are for Badaling only and not for the Great Wall as a whole.
How many towers does Badaling have?
The 3,741 m section is described with 16 enemy platforms. Counts of towers vary with what is included, so use 16 only for that section.
How high is Badaling?
The height of tower N8 is given as 888 m and also as about 1,015 m, so allow for either when you compare.
How much is the entry ticket in 2026?
The base fare for adults is CNY 40 in high season and CNY 35 in low season. Cable cars and other services cost extra.
Is this the official Badaling website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by the Badaling scenic area, the Beijing government or any tourism authority, and it is not connected to a tour operator or hotel.