Majestic Badaling vs. the Stunning Summer Palace: Explore Two World Heritage Sites in One Day

Number of days: 1 day
Time: January
Average cost: 150 yuan
With whom: husband and wife
Tour kinds: Food, Culture, Independent Travel, Group Tour, Small Business, Budget Travel, Budget Travel, Weekend Tour
Updated: 2022.01.20

Speaking of World Cultural Heritage sites, do you remember? Beijing currently boasts seven. Besides the familiar Forbidden City and the Great Wall, there's also the Summer Palace, the Ming Tombs, the Grand Canal, and the Peking Man Site in Zhoukoudian. Today, we'll take you on a tour of the Great Wall and the Summer Palace. One is majestic and imposing, the other is graceful and charming, like a pairing of a burly man and a graceful woman—so interesting and harmonious. Come with me~

Badaling Great Wall

Transportation: Subway/Bus

Directions:
Take the subway to Line 8/10 Exit C. From there, take the Badaling Through Bus.

Precautions:
Be careful to dress warmly in strong winds, wear thick clothing, and bring a silk scarf for a stylish look.
The weather is sunny, so wear sunscreen. Remember to use sunscreen even in winter. Wear comfortable shoes. Walk slowly up and down the mountain, ideally with trekking poles, as this can be tough on your knees. Cost: The Beijing Subway charges by distance. A one-way trip typically costs 4-6 yuan, while a round trip is around a dozen yuan. Direct bus fare: 150 yuan (includes round-trip fares and entrance fees to the two scenic areas). Personal advice: Get an early bus to climb the Great Wall. This direct bus departs from the subway station at 7:30 AM and goes straight to Badaling, arriving at the Great Wall by 9 AM. This way, you can enjoy a four-hour trip. If you arrive early, you can even catch a dome movie. The through bus was accompanied by a tour guide, and I learned a lot about the Great Wall. I was very excited to finally arrive. The drop-off point is right at the scenic area parking lot. The Great Wall Museum is right behind it, and you'll see many tour buses. After getting off the bus, those who bought cable car tickets on the bus can follow the tour guide to the cable car entrance. I didn't buy a cable car ticket because I felt I had enough energy. The tour guide was very nice and didn't push sales at all. He kept saying it was a personal choice and that you didn't have to.

The Great Wall journey begins.

The Great Wall is divided into the North and South sides. Many people struggle with which side to climb. Climbing both sides can be physically demanding. Personally, I think if you're climbing alone, choose the North side.

Generally speaking, the South side is steeper and less crowded, but it lacks a cable car and a side walk, making it a more challenging climb. The North side is gentler, though still steep in spots, though not as much as the South. While there are more people on the North side, in autumn and winter, it's not so crowded that it feels like you're struggling, so managing your time is crucial.

We climbed all the way to the North Eighth Tower. The North Building is the highest watchtower at the Badaling Great Wall and offers the best view of the wall. If you're feeling up to the challenge, consider using the nearby exit for a quicker descent, as you'll encounter a crowd of people ascending the wall. The ascent and descent should take about three hours. Check in at the North Eighth Building, where there aren't many people. If you'd like to climb the other towers on the north face, you can continue the challenge. However, even those sections of the Wild Great Wall are rarely climbed, and they can be quite dangerous. If you're not a hiker, I recommend against this challenge.

One is not a true man if they haven't climbed the Great Wall.

I didn't go looking for it, but I stumbled upon it on the way down. Apparently, the original inscriptions are gone, and only the ones left for tourists to take photos.

The journey of a hero has come to an end. Perfect.

Summer Palace

Transportation: Direct bus

It takes only one hour to reach the Summer Palace from Badaling. The Summer Palace, an imperial garden from the Qing Dynasty, is located in the western suburbs of Beijing, about 15 kilometers from the city center. Approximately three-quarters of its surface area is water. It is adjacent to the Old Summer Palace. Based on Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, it draws inspiration from the design techniques of Jiangnan gardens, a large-scale landscape garden. It is the best-preserved imperial palace and garden, known as the "Royal Garden Museum." With mountains, water, bridges, lush trees, pavilions, and long corridors, it is breathtakingly beautiful.

The Summer Palace is unique. In winter, the Summer Palace is tranquil and majestic, perfect for photo opportunities, and it fulfilled all my winter fantasies. The tour guide's knowledge was truly remarkable, with a fluent understanding of both official and unofficial history. As someone with a keen interest in history, I asked her for some insightful perspectives, which were truly insightful.

Recommended must-see attractions in the Summer Palace~

Kunming Lake

Surrounded by lush greenery, the scenery is pleasant, and the water is crystal clear—truly refreshing. Of course, it freezes in the winter, so if you enjoy ice skating, there's something to do.

The Tower of Buddhist Incense

Obviously, the building you see in photos of the Summer Palace is the Tower of Buddhist Incense. Standing in front of the Tower of Buddhist Incense, gazing down, most of the Summer Palace's scenery is within sight. Lush foliage shades the yellow and green glazed tile roofs and vermilion palace walls. Straight ahead, Kunming Lake is as still as a mirror and as green as jade. Cruise ships and pleasure boats glide slowly across the surface, leaving almost no trace. Looking east, you can vaguely make out several city towers and the White Pagoda.

Long Corridor

Upon entering the Summer Palace, you walk down a long path to the Empress Dowager Cixi's residence. After passing through the residence and walking for an indeterminate amount of time, you'll arrive at the renowned Long Corridor. The Long Corridor truly lives up to its reputation. There are thousands of murals, each one unique, featuring works from "Journey to the West," "Dream of the Red Chamber," "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," and "The Western Chamber." The guide even explained the different levels of mural painting, which was quite informative. Do you know what story this painting depicts? Take a guess!

Happy Longevity Hall

is the main building in the Summer Palace's residential area. It was where Empress Dowager Cixi lived. Originally built during the Qianlong reign, it was later burned down by the British and French forces. It was later rebuilt under the supervision of Emperor Guangxu. Facing Kunming Lake, with Longevity Mountain at its back, it reaches the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity to the east and the Long Corridor to the west, making it the most strategically located living and recreational area in the park.

The tour guide's words were deeply moving: Qianlong built the Summer Palace for his mother, and Guangxu rebuilt it for his mother. One embodies deep family affection, the other is tainted by political factors. Guangxu came here to "rejuvenate and live in harmony" for Cixi, so that she could enjoy her old age and then hand over the imperial power to him. The emperor's mind and bearing, or one could say his background and circumstances, are really worlds apart.

Seventeen-Arch Bridge

This is my favorite place because its arc shape is so beautiful. The Seventeen-Arch Bridge, situated over Kunming Lake, spans the East Causeway and connects the South Lake Island. It is the largest stone bridge in the park. At 8 meters wide and 150 meters long, it consists of 17 arches. Over 500 stone lions of varying sizes and shapes are carved into the railings on both sides of the bridge.

Stone Boat

At the lakeside west of the Long Corridor stands a large stone boat, named Qingyan Fang, meaning "clear seas and tranquil rivers." It is the only Western-style building in the Summer Palace. Its predecessor was the platform for releasing animals from the Yuanjing Temple during the Ming Dynasty. During Emperor Qianlong's renovation of the Qingyi Garden, the platform was converted into a boat and renamed the Stone Boat. The 36-meter-long marble barge is constructed from carved marble. A two-story tower sits atop the hull, the floor is paved with decorative tiles, the windows are stained glass, and the ceiling is decorated with carved bricks. When it rains, water from the barge's roof drains into the lake through hollow pillars at the four corners and out four dragon heads on the hull, a truly ingenious design. There are many attractions in the Summer Palace, each with its own merits. It's truly a place that makes you linger and marvel.

A successful day. The morning was spent experiencing the grandeur of the Great Wall, focusing on physical exertion. The afternoon was spent relaxing and appreciating the exquisiteness of the imperial gardens. The day's itinerary was neither hurried nor slow, both thoughtful and meticulous, yet natural and relaxing.

I really want to do it again.