Badaling Great Wall

Question

Hi, Because of issues with one of the high speed trains I am having to catch a train that gets into Badaling Great Wall on 21st May at 19:36. I have now booked a return on the last train back at 21:36. I have also booked the South Cable Car (one-way) up to the South Tower 4. I plan to go straight up and then walk straight back to the Badaling Wall train station. I am very mobile. Will I be able to do that in less than 2 hours? Thanks Laurence Lennon

Answer

The Badaling section of the Great Wall is one of the most popular and well-preserved parts of the Wall, but it is also among the more structured in terms of visiting hours and accessibility. Your plan is very ambitious given the timing of your arrival and return train.

Key Considerations:

The Badaling Great Wall scenic area typically closes around 18:30 to 19:00 depending on the season. After this time, both the wall and the cable cars are no longer in operation for visitors.
Arriving at 19:36 means the site will almost certainly be closed by the time you get there. You will not be able to access the South Cable Car or walk along the wall after dark for safety reasons.
The Great Wall at Badaling is located in a mountainous area, and while the station is close to the entrance, the walking paths and steps are not lit at night.

Timing and Distance:

The South Cable Car takes about 5–10 minutes to ascend from the base area to the South Tower 4 section.
Walking from South Tower 4 back down to the entrance at a brisk pace would take about 30–40 minutes, assuming daylight and normal conditions.
However, the scenic area gates and facilities close much earlier than your arrival, meaning this route will not be accessible at 19:36.

Possible Alternatives:

Consider rescheduling your trip to an earlier time during the day so you can enjoy the Wall safely and fully.
If your train timing cannot change, you could stay overnight near Badaling (there are a few hotels and guesthouses near the entrance) and visit the Wall early the next morning.
Alternatively, visit a different section of the Wall such as Mutianyu or Juyongguan earlier in the day — both offer similar experiences with more flexible access hours.

Conclusion:

Unfortunately, with your current plan of arriving at 19:36 and returning at 21:36, you will not be able to go up the South Cable Car or walk on the Wall itself, as the site will already be closed. To make your visit worthwhile, it would be best to adjust your timing or visit the next day when the site is open to the public. Even though you are very mobile, the timing simply does not allow enough daylight or access for a safe and enjoyable experience.