Beijing Geat Wall Trip - Tips and tricks

Traveling in Beijing must beware of "unlicensed" or "unofficial" transportation or tour guide else you have to spend double, triple or more than the normal price. 

China Great Wall - BaDaLing Entrance

For China Great Wall - BaDaLing entrance (one of the most famous) transportation you may choose by Taxi which cost about RMB 800.00 or by public transport (air-conditional) which cost about RMB 24.00 for round trip. I strongly recommend to go there during weekdays instead of weekend which will double the travel time (3 - 4 hours) and over crowded (unless you depart at 6AM). 

By public transport, you may go to the DeShengMen bus terminal to take the bus 919 which cost about RMB12.00 one way trip and located at the back of the gate else you may take the "fake" 919 bus or buy the expensive ticket from the "unlicensed" bus conductor from the front. You may take the subway to JiShuiTan station and walk 1KM toward east from exit A or by taxi which will cost about RMB30.00 - RMB50.00 from the town area (SanHuan, SiHuan).

Front gate of DeShengMen

Back of the DeShengMen

* While you are waiting for the bus 919, you must firm your stance that the "unethical" bus conductor will persuade you to take bus 877 which is express bus, shorter travel time and cost only RMB 80.00 (they will told you the 919 cost RMB 60.00). The bus 877 is infrequence compare to 919 which might need to wait 20 - 30 mins.

For bus 919 there are 2 type (some said 3 or 4): one is express whereas the other is not. Make sure you see BaDaLing in the bus routes. If you take the non-express, there are few Great Wall entrances so make sure you alight at BaDaLing or ask the bus conductor to inform you when reach (or follow the crowd - by luck). 

For the route to TIYUCHANG XIAOQU is non express

When you reach the BaDaLing you need to take the free shuttle bus to the entrance which is 5 - 10mins distance and you need to walk about 3 - 5mins to the ticketing counter. The entry pass  cost about RMB80.00 which include the Great Wall admission and bamboo made certificate. 

*You may get your certificate before you start the Great Wall tracking else you might need to wait with others after your journey.

For the Great Wall hiking, some paths are steep as 45 degree or more so it is advisable to bring along support stick for elderly or whoever not so used to the hiking exercise. What if you wanna go rest room in the half way track? There are rest rooms in few Arrow Towers  (forth arrow towers on the right track), no worries!