A one-day trip from Beijing to the Badaling Great Wall and the Ming Tombs offers a fantastic combination of ancient history, stunning architecture, and breathtaking natural scenery. Here’s a detailed guide to making the most of your day exploring these two iconic attractions.
Morning: Exploring the Badaling Great Wall
We stayed near Beijing North Railway Station, which made it convenient to catch the train to the Badaling Great Wall Station. If you’re coming from other parts of the city, you can also take the train from Qinghe Station (清河站) to Badaling. At Beijing North Station, we found plenty of seats available, but once we passed Qinghe, the train filled up quickly, so it’s best to get on early.
Upon arriving at Badaling Great Wall Station, you can directly take the cable car up to the wall, or if you’re feeling adventurous, walk up. We opted to walk to the North Towers. It was quite crowded, and as we reached the North Eighth Tower, the path became packed with people pushing forward. Once at the North Eighth Tower, the view of Good Warrior Slope was incredible, perfect for photos.
If you’re looking for a less strenuous return, you can take the sled from North Fourth Tower back down, or continue walking to the North Eleventh Tower. If you choose to walk to North Eleventh, be prepared—there’s a section of the path that is very shaky, and we saw a few people getting frightened by the steep drop. It’s not for the faint of heart, so proceed with caution!
For a quick bite, you’ll find a small snack area at Bear Park beneath the Great Wall, with fast food like Dicos. It’s a convenient place to rest and refuel before continuing the day’s adventure.
Afternoon: Visiting the Ming Tombs
After our time at Badaling, we took the 879 bus from the Great Wall to the Ming Tombs. The bus ride is quite straightforward and takes you directly to Dingling (定陵), the most famous of the tombs. You can also get off at Nanxincun (南新村), near the Sacred Way entrance, which is worth visiting for a quiet walk through the stone statues.
The Sacred Way has impressive stone statues of animals and officials, but honestly, it isn’t as grand as some of the other tombs in the area. If you’ve already seen the Ming Xiaoling Tomb in Nanjing, this part of the site may not impress you much, though it’s still a nice spot for a stroll if you’re nearby.
The highlight of the Ming Tombs is definitely Dingling, which is the only tomb with an open underground palace. While the underground chambers are small, they hold significant historical value, and you’ll find a fascinating collection of imperial artifacts in the nearby exhibition hall. Be sure to check out the Thirteen Dragons and Nine Phoenix Crowns on display. They’re remarkable remnants of the Ming Dynasty and offer a glimpse into the opulence of imperial China.
I didn’t visit Changling Tomb, as I was feeling quite exhausted by this point. Changling is known to be large and significant, as it houses Emperor Zhu Di, but it’s similar in design to other major tombs and might not feel as unique unless you’re particularly interested in Ming history.
Practical Tips for Visiting
- Transportation: Public buses are the best way to get around. From Badaling, take Bus 879 to Dingling or Nanxincun. The bus runs regularly every 30 minutes. If you’re too tired to walk, take Bus 877, which offers frequent service back to the city. You can also consider taking a taxi for more convenience, but remember that taxis outside the tourist sites might try to overcharge, so use ride-hailing apps to get a better deal.
- Timing: I recommend setting aside about 2-3 hours for the Badaling Great Wall and another 2-3 hours for the Ming Tombs. Starting early in the day will allow you to comfortably visit both sites in one day.
- Dining: While there are snack options at the Great Wall (like fast food), if you’re craving something more substantial, you may want to bring your own snacks or head back to Beijing for a better selection of restaurants.