It was my third trip to China but the first time to Beijing. But the excitement started the day I started planning this trip 6 months ago. Finally, the day has come to visit the Great Wall, the longest man-made structure in the world. Visiting this UNESCO-listed site was at the top of my must-see list for a while. Now I am one of those lucky ones to be able to visit the Great Wall at Badaling.
How To Get There
To reach the Badaling Great Wall, there are several transportation options available. The distance between the Badaling Great Wall and the Forbidden City in Beijing is approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles). The travel time can vary depending on the mode of transportation and traffic conditions, but it generally takes 1.5 to 2 hours to travel between the two locations.
- By Bus: Take Bus No. 877 from Deshengmen Bus Station in Beijing. The bus will directly take you to the Badaling Great Wall. The journey takes approximately one to two hours, depending on traffic conditions.
- By Train: Take the S2 train from Beijing North Railway Station to Badaling Station. The train journey takes around one hour. From Badaling Station, you can either walk or take a shuttle bus to the entrance of the Great Wall.
How We Went There
We were scheduled to be picked up by our tour guide at 8 am. But my wait at the Pan Pacific Beijing lobby seems the longest. Badaling is the site of the most visited section of the Great Wall of China, approximately 40 miles from my hotel in Xicheng District ( close to Forbidden City). When visiting the Badaling section of the Great Wall, there are several things you can do to make the most of your experience.
Ascending The Steep Wall
The scenic site is divided into the north section and the south section. I was more interested in the north, so I climbed the steep stairs. The total length of the north and south sections is 7.5 miles (12 km) with 43 watchtowers. Unfortunately, only 2.3 miles (3.74 km) and 19 watchtowers have been restored and opened to visitors.
Take a leisurely stroll along the iconic Great Wall of China—Marvel at this ancient wonder’s impressive architecture, breathtaking views, and historical significance. In between, the watchtowers needed to make frequent stops to catch up breath. It was a hard job climbing up to tower number 8, the highest elevation in this area. So definitely, you need to be well prepared for this; otherwise, you need to give up like many people I saw returning back on my way up.
It was a great satisfaction to make it to the top and enjoy the magnificent landscape from the summit. I saw a number of watchtowers at intervals along the wall as they disappeared upwards into the mist—such a beautiful scene. If we have an opportunity, then it is something no one should ever miss in their lifetime. Otherwise, life will be meaningless if we miss it, knowing that we lead our life only once in this world.
Take a Cable Car
The Badaling Cable Car is a popular attraction that offers a convenient and scenic way to ascend and descend the Badaling section of the Great Wall of China. To save time and energy, consider taking a cable car ride to the higher sections of the Wall. This ride offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding lush mountains, rugged landscapes, and the majestic Great Wall stretching into the distance..
Explore Watchtowers
Climb up the watchtowers to get a different perspective of the surroundings and imagine the ancient soldiers guarding the Wall. From the windows and balconies, breathtaking vistas of the surrounding landscape unfold, offering a glimpse into the strategic importance of these watchtowers. The watchtowers offer visitors a chance to step back in time, immerse themselves in history, and appreciate the remarkable accomplishment of engineering and defense that this world wonder represents.
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