Trip Overview
When: May (May Day holiday, warm weather, but beware crowds)
Duration: 1 day
Travelers: Couple (my partner and I, based in Tianjin)
Budget: ~240 RMB (~$35 USD) per person
Transportation: Train + Great Wall Express Bus
Essential Foreigner Info
Getting There from Tianjin: Take the high-speed train from Tianjin Railway Station to Beijing South Station. Transfer to the subway Line 4 to National Library Station (国家图书馆). The Great Wall Express Bus departs at 9:00 AM sharp from here, directly to Badaling. Return bus leaves at 3:30 PM—but be prepared for delays (we left at 3:57 PM, which nearly missed our 6 PM train back to Tianjin).
Pro hack: Book your return train from Beijing South early in the day to account for bus delays. We had to rebook and lost time and money.
Great Wall Basics: Badaling has two main entrances—East Gate and West Gate. East Gate leads to both North and South sections. The North section has 12 watchtowers; the South has 4. The South section is shorter but offers great views from Tower 4. The North section's highlight is Tower 8, known as the "Viewing Sun Platform"—the highest point.
Walking vs. Cable Car: Walking the Wall is the authentic experience, but it's steep and can be exhausting. Cable cars are available if you need them. Our advice: the climb is worth it.
Day 1: Conquering Badaling Great Wall
We set off from Tianjin on the May Day holiday, May 3rd, 2021. With COVID-19 still affecting travel, we decided to stick to domestic destinations rather than go far. Badaling (八达岭) seemed like the perfect choice—iconic, accessible, and close enough for a day trip.
The route from Tianjin: Tianjin Railway Station → Beijing South Station → National Library Station (transfer to Line 4) → Great Wall Express Bus. We chose the bus over public transit because it guarantees a seat. The journey takes about 2.5 hours total.
The bus dropped us at East Gate around 11 AM. Here's what we learned: the Great Wall has two entrances—East Gate (marked "居庸外镇") and West Gate ("北门锁钥"). From East Gate, you can choose the North or South route.
North Section (北城): 12 watchtowers, more challenging climb, best views from Tower 8 ("观日台" or Viewing Sun Platform). This is the classic Wall experience.
South Section (南城): Only 4 watchtowers, much shorter, easier. Guides often recommend this to save time for other attractions, but honestly? It's too short to feel satisfying.
Our recommended full route: East Gate → South Tower 4 (the best viewpoint for photos) → Return to East Gate → North Section → Tower 8 (highest point) → Continue to Tower 12 → Return to Tower 11 → Exit West Gate. This covers the entire Wall. From West Gate, you can walk back to East Gate (about 20 minutes) or take a shuttle.
If you're not up for the full climb, here are alternative routes:
1. Climb to Tower 8 and return the same way (easiest)
2. Climb to Tower 11 and exit from West Gate (moderate)
3. South Section only—quick but underwhelming
4. Take the cable car up, then walk
We chose option 4—the full route—and it took us about 4 hours. The climb from Tower 8 to Tower 12 is the most physically demanding but also the most rewarding. You're rewarded with panoramic views and fewer crowds as most people turn back at Tower 8.
Senior alert: The stairs are steep and uneven in places. Wear proper shoes with grip. If traveling with elderly family members, consider the cable car or stick to the South Section.
Exiting from West Gate brings you to Bear Mountain (熊山)—a small area with statues and shops. We walked back to East Gate (about 20 minutes) to catch our bus back to Beijing.
Reality check: The return bus was supposed to leave at 3:30 PM but didn't depart until 3:57 PM. This is common during peak season. We barely made it to Beijing South Station and had to rebook our train to Tianjin. Lesson learned: book a later return train or build in extra buffer time.
The Great Wall exceeded our expectations. The scale, the history, the views—it's one of those places that truly deserves its reputation. Yes, it's touristy, but the experience of walking where emperors walked, looking out at mountains that have stood for millennia, is genuinely moving.
Would we do it again? In a heartbeat. Next time, we'll try a different section—maybe Mutianyu or Jinshanling—for a less crowded experience. But Badaling will always hold a special place as our first.
Final tips: Bring water, wear comfortable shoes, start early, and don't forget your camera. The Great Wall is as photogenic as it is historic.