Hiking the Badaling Great Wall
The Badaling Great Wall hike is a walk along restored wall, up and down stone steps, not a trek through wilderness. The early restored main stretch runs from tower N12 in the north to tower S7 in the south. Past S7 a further stretch of ruined wall exists, but it is not a standard route.
The North section is steeper than the South section, and tower N8 is described as steep and windy. If you want an easier walk, start south. A Badaling Great Wall ticket covers the wall entrance, and the cable car is a separate ticket.
North and South sections compared
Rough values for planning.
| Section | Character | Lift | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| North, up to N12 | Steeper, windy at N8 | Cable car to N7, closed until 25 December 2026 | Fit walkers who want steep views |
| South, down to S7 | Gentler than the North | Ground cable car to S4 | Most visitors, April flowers on S4 to S7 |
| Extension S7 to S16½ | Ruined, partly stabilised wall | – | Small organized groups only |
For most visitors the South section is the better walk. It is easier on the legs, and the lift reaches S4. Choose the North section if you are fit, bring water, and want the steeper climb. The elevation of tower N8 is given as 888 m or about 1,015 m, so treat any single figure with care.
Our pick: walk at your own pace
Our take: the plain admission ticket is all you need to walk the sections yourself.
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 tours and day trips
Great Wall day trips from Beijing, with live prices and availability.
Planning your walk
What decides how long you need.
How long it takes
There is no standard walking time for the whole North and South route. Your fitness, your turn-around point, the crowds and whether you use the cable car all change it. Do not plan on a fixed two-hour loop, and leave time for photo stops and the climb back.
The North cable car is closed
The North cable car is out of service until 25 December 2026. The northern wall is not closed with it, so you can still walk there, but on foot. The South line keeps running. See the Badaling cable car page for details.
The South extension
The ruined section from S7 to S16½ is 1,245 m long. It was stabilised in 2013 and opened to a limited degree in 2023, for small reserved and organized groups. It is not part of the normal ticket. Do not plan to walk it on your own.
Restoration
The main stretch was restored in the early 1950s, while the southern extension has been stabilised more recently. These are different works, and the wall you walk on is not one uniform rebuild.
Badaling history →Access for wheelchairs and strollers
There are elevators and the South ground cable car, but that does not make every tower step-free. If you travel with a wheelchair, ask on arrival which parts you can reach.
Rules and safety on the wall
Badaling is a fire-protection area at level 1. Do not smoke outdoors, do not walk into the forest and do not break branches. Do not carve into the stones. Stay out of sections that are not open, and do not climb on the crenellations. Pets are not allowed.
Wear shoes with good grip, carry water and check the weather. In heavy rain the wall can close, and winds can be strong on the high towers. If you are choosing between sections, Badaling vs Mutianyu compares the walk and the crowds.
More ways to see the area
Combine the wall with nearby places.
Opening hours
Seasons, last entry and night program.
Best time to visit
Weather, spring flowers and autumn.
Things to do nearby
Yanqing and other places.
To compare with another section of the wall, look at hiking at Mutianyu.
Badaling hiking: common questions
Which section is better for hiking, North or South?
For most visitors the South section, because it is gentler. The North section is steeper, and N8 is described as steep and windy.
How long does the Badaling hike take?
There is no standard time. It depends on your fitness, your turn-around point and the crowds. Do not plan on a fixed duration, and allow extra time for the climb back.
Can I walk the wall if the North cable car is closed?
Yes. The North cable car is closed until 25 December 2026, but the wall is not. You can walk the northern section on foot, or take the South line.
Can I walk past tower S7?
Not on a normal ticket. The extension to S16½ is limited to small reserved and organized groups.
Is this the official Badaling website?
No. This is an independent guide, not the website of the wall area. Use it to plan, and buy tickets through the official channels.