Beijing Great Wall Night Tour: An Honest Review

Visiting the Great Wall is often pretty high up on many people’s bucket lists when they think about China, very understandable, and deciding when and how to go might be harder than you think. You’ve probably considered all the ways to experience it. But how about seeing the Badaling section under the cover of darkness? Is a “Beijing Private Night Tour” something that lives up to the hype? Let’s examine my experience, offer some insights, and possibly, guide you in figuring out if it’s the best way to check this destination off your list, alright?

Why Choose a Night Tour of the Great Wall?

The thing about heading to the Great Wall at night, is that it’s definitely a change from the typical daytime experience, that’s for certain. Very likely the biggest benefit is avoiding the insane daytime crowds. Very understandable that everyone wants to see this awesome site, but let me tell you, that amount of people changes the whole feel. That, and during the day the sun feels extra strong on the Wall. Going at night, especially during hotter months, it’s much easier to walk around since the air temperature has come down.

Yet another big advantage with doing a private tour, so is that you get door-to-door transportation. After a long day, the last thing you want is trying to understand how to use public transport or waiting ages for a taxi. So that convenient ride alone might just be worth the cost, in some respects.

Booking the Tour: What to Expect

There are a good number of tour operators that give trips to the Badaling Great Wall at night. Doing some price comparisons might just save you some money, anyway don’t only consider price. Read the fine print, so it’s clear just what is included. Most tours generally come with a private vehicle and a driver. A guide could be extra. Is that a service you feel you need? Also, so do check what extras are offered such as meals or drinks. Sometimes the convenience factor more than balances the cost.

Talking about cost, this may be dependent on when you book and the size of your party, right? So be prepared to pay a little more for a private experience. Booking well ahead of time may get you better rates. Flexibility could also save some money, so is there any reason you couldn’t go during the week, instead?

My Experience: A Step-by-Step Account

My adventure, in a way, started with a prompt pickup from my hotel in Beijing. After spending the day seeing tourist places, it was nice to simply slide into a waiting car. So I was quickly on my way to Badaling. The drive there offered a small peek at Beijing’s city lights shifting to the darker areas as we got further away. My driver was safe and smooth, that and he answered all my questions with patience.

When I got to Badaling, very little people were there! It was an experience that just can’t happen during the daytime. The air felt cooler, and I might add the hush added to the almost spiritual atmosphere. The Wall itself had some light illuminating it. This meant I could see where I was walking without ruining the special feeling. It gave this beautiful balance that made me enjoy what I was seeing and where I was.

Walking along the Wall, at the end of the day I had a completely different appreciation for its design and scope. Looking out into the dark valleys was thought-provoking. As a matter of fact, I could picture what life might’ve been like for those soldiers keeping watch a long time ago.

The Badaling Section at Night: What to Expect

Badaling is considered one of the most known sections of the Great Wall, probably due to its nearness to Beijing and ease of getting to. During the day, right?, this area gets extremely busy. Yet at night, there’s just something completely different about it. You know, this part of the Wall is lit thoughtfully, emphasizing the construction and form but yet still keeps that special aura. So that makes taking pictures simple.

So expect the walkways to be less crowded than they normally are during the daytime. It has inclines and some rough patches. Appropriate shoes should be worn. Keep in mind also, that although it’s lit, so it still gets fairly dark. Watch your step and appreciate what’s around you. I will also point out, it gets cold at night, depending on what time of year it is. I’m saying it might be a good idea to bring an extra layer or two.

Is a Private Night Tour Worth It?

Deciding if a private night tour is worth it probably hinges on your individual likes, what you can spend, and what you’re looking to experience, right? If steering clear of the tourist throngs and appreciating a quieter, almost personal experience on the Wall, that, that may make it worth the money. The added convenience of someone picking you up and dropping you off at your hotel can save a lot of worry and make the adventure that bit nicer.

Yet another thing you may want to think about, is that for travelers that like going it alone and going cheap, maybe they won’t feel a tour fits with their goals. But the experience of walking the Great Wall at night has a special type of draw. So if that calls to you, the benefits of a private tour could be more than worth what you pay.

• Reduced Crowds: Seeing the Great Wall with smaller crowds makes it an intimate experience.
• Convenience: Someone picking you up and dropping you off means there’s no transport to worry about.
• Atmosphere: The wall at night, lit very well, gives an almost spiritual type of ambiance.