Badaling vs. Mutianyu Great Wall, Which one to visit?

Badaling and Mutianyu are the two most visited Great Wall sections. Both are well-preserved, and well equipped for visitors' convenience. Which one should I visit if I have limited time? The answer is that Badaling is a must-see for first-time visitors to China and recommended on normal days, while Mutianyu is popular among foreigners and a good choice during holidays.

Here are their differences and similarities to help you make a final decision.

  Badaling is the best-preserved and most complete section. The bottom is 7-8 yards (6.5-7.5 meters) wide, and the top is 5-6 yards (4.5-5.8 meters) wide, allowing five horses or ten soldiers to walk shoulder by shoulder. Its magnificence is incomparable. It is also the first section that was developed into a scenic area and opened to the public in 1958.
 
Mutianyu was opened as a scenic area in 1988. It is also well-preserved, retaining the original status of the ancient wall structure, while its scale cannot rival that of its counterpart, with a top width of 4-5.5 yards (4-5 meters).

Badaling has more visitors than other sections. As of today, it has received 150 million visitors from home and abroad. This may be the source of the rumor that it is overcrowded, but that is not always the case. Most of the time, Badaling has a regular number of visitors. The scenic area is large with pretty long walls, allowing enough space. During holidays, however, especially National Day Holiday from October 1st to 7th or the Chinese New Year, it will be overcrowded.

Mutianyu, with less tourists, ensures pleasant tour experience all the year round. Even on public holidays, you can enjoy the scenery at an easy pace. If you plan to take the cable car, it is better to go early, for there might be a long queue at the cable car station on some big holidays.

It is wise to consult a China Public Holiday Calendar  to avoid big holidays. If you happen to visit during the peak travel time, Jinshanling and Juyongguan with fewer visitors are also good alternatives.

 

At Badaling, there are two cableways: North Cableway and South Cableway. Additionally, visitors can ride on the exciting pulley. At Mutianyu, visitors can ride on the cableway. Also, they can descend by slideway, which is quite thrilling. Both sections are equipped with handrails for visitors' convenience and safety. 

For people lacking physical strength or families with kids, Mutianyu is more recommended, for the gentle slope makes it less challenging.

 Read more: Badaling Great Wall Cable Car vs. Slideway
 

How to get to the Great Wall makes little difference to group travelers, but it means a lot to independent travelers.

Compared with Mutianyu, Badaling is more easily accessible by public transport from downtown Beijing. You can take bus line 877 from Deshengmen or tourist bus line 1 from Qianmen to get there directly. Or, you can take a bullet train from Beijing North Railway Station to the New Badaling Railway Station next to the Badaling Great Wall Scenic Area. The S2 train from Huangtudian Railway Station near Huoying Subway Station is also a choice.
See How to Get to Badaling from Downtown Beijing

There is no direct transportation to Mutianyu from downtown Beijing. You need to take bus line 916 Express or 916 from Dongzhimen to Huairou District. Then, change to a local mini bus or charter a private car to get there.
See How to reach Mutianyu from Downtown Beijing