Private Tour: Badaling Great Wall and Kangxi Grasslands on Horseback

Badaling gives you the classic Great Wall view, then Kangxi Grasslands trades stone ramparts for open riding ground. This private Beijing day combines two very different outings, with hotel pickup and a buffet lunch built in.

I like that you get a guide and driver for your own group, and that the day includes one hour of horseback riding rather than just a stop to look at the horses. I also like the contrast: Badaling is a famous, busy stretch of wall, while the grasslands offer a less usual way to spend an afternoon near Beijing.

The main caution is that the horse arrangement may not run as neatly as the wall visit. One account describes a long wait and a change of riding location, though guide Kevin helped get the ride arranged. Budget for possible extras, too: the Great Wall cable car and any additional riding time cost extra.

At a glance

• Badaling first: Spend about two hours at the best-preserved and most complete section of the Great Wall.
• A private group: The tour is for your own party, with one to ten people, plus a professional guide and private transport.
• One riding hour included: You can ride at Kangxi Grasslands as a beginner or experienced rider, with course staff giving pace instructions.
• Buffet lunch included: Lunch and bottled water are part of the tour price. Vegetarian food is available if requested when booking.
• Plan for add-ons: The cable car and any extra horseback riding are not included. A horseback riding instructor is also listed as an exclusion.
• A long day: Allow about nine hours, including the drive between Beijing, Badaling, and the grasslands.

Badaling: a famous wall with a big payoff

Badaling is the best-preserved and most complete section of the Great Wall among the sections described for this tour. It is also the most popular, so expect to share the experience with other people. If you want a quieter walk, this may not be the right stretch. If you want a clear look at the wall’s scale and a well-maintained route, it is a sensible choice.

You have about two hours here. That gives you time to walk uphill along the wall and take in the views, though your pace and route will shape how much you cover. The tour description suggests hiking or taking the cable car to Sun-view Tower, which is identified as the tower at the highest latitude. The cable car costs extra, so factor that in if you would rather avoid the climb.

The wall is the strongest part of the day for visitors who want a classic Great Wall outing. One account of the tour describes this portion as better than expected, even though the horse arrangements later proved troublesome. That is a useful distinction: the wall visit and the grassland ride are separate parts of the experience, and the first appears to be the more predictable one.

Badaling’s popularity is both its practical advantage and its trade-off. The section is well-preserved and easy to understand as a major historic site, but it is not an off-the-beaten-path wall walk. Your private tour means your guide and transport are for your group, not that the wall itself will be private or uncrowded.

Kangxi Grasslands: a change of pace

After the wall, the tour includes a buffet lunch before continuing to Kangxi Grasslands. The area is described as an original ecological prairie and a summer resort. Its open riding ground offers a sharp contrast with the wall’s steps, stone, and crowds.

The grassland visit is planned for about two hours, with one hour of horseback riding included in the tour. A standard riding course has a range of horses, and the guide helps arrange the ride. The course staff give instructions on riding at an appropriate pace. Riders of all levels are welcome, so you do not need to be an experienced horse rider to take part.

That welcome does not mean the ride is a free-form gallop across open country. The safety instructions say to stay within the course and not ride other horses outside its management. Follow staff directions when mounting and riding. In particular, you are asked to stand at the horse’s left front when mounting, under staff instructions.

The included hour is a meaningful part of the package, but it helps to set expectations: the ride takes place on a standard course, not an open-ended trek. If you want more time, an additional hour costs extra. The description also mentions strolling on a camel, but camel time is not included among the stated tour inclusions, so do not assume it is part of your paid ride.

The horse segment deserves a little flexibility. One outing involved waiting for horses and being taken to another location before an hour-long ride could be arranged. Kevin, the guide in that account, went out of his way to help. That is reassuring, but it also points to the day’s least certain element: horse operations may require coordination. If this ride is the main reason you are booking, confirm the arrangement with the operator before the tour and leave room for delays.

What the private format changes

The tour runs with your own group of one to ten people, a guide, and an air-conditioned vehicle. That gives you more control over the pace and makes it easier to keep a family or small group together than on a shared coach excursion. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so you do not need to arrange separate transport to the first stop.

Private does not mean a car-free day. The Great Wall and grasslands are separate stops, and the tour lasts about nine hours. Some of that time is spent getting between places and handling transitions. The exact driving time is not specified, so it is best to think of this as a full-day outing rather than two short visits.

A guide can help coordinate the ride and keep the day moving, but the horseback instructor is specifically listed as not included. Course staff are said to provide pace instructions, which is different from having a dedicated instructor as part of your tour. If you are new to riding or have particular concerns, ask in advance what instruction is available and what support the course provides.

Lunch, cost, and what is included

At $68 per person, the price covers more than transport. It includes hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, a professional guide, bottled water, buffet lunch, admission tickets for the two listed stops, and one hour of horseback riding. For a private day out that combines two sites, that is a useful bundle, especially if you are travelling as a small group.

The price does not cover the Great Wall cable car or a second hour in the saddle. A horseback riding instructor is also excluded. Those details matter because the cable car may appeal if you would rather not hike to the tower, and one hour of riding may feel short if horses are your main interest. Check the cost of extras before you go so the advertised price does not become a surprise at the site.

The buffet lunch is practical on a day with two stops and transport between them. A vegetarian option is available, but you need to advise the operator when booking. The tour also includes bottled water, a small but handy inclusion on a day that involves walking and riding.

The tour is booked, on average, 48 days ahead. That is a planning signal, not a guarantee that every date sells out; if your schedule is fixed, booking early is sensible. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who will get the most from this day

This tour suits you if you want to see Badaling without organising transport yourself and would enjoy adding a horse ride to the day. It is especially appealing to a family or small group that values a private vehicle and guide, and wants a mix of history, walking, countryside, and an activity.

Children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult. Children under seven are free and are expected to ride with an adult. The tour calls for a moderate level of physical fitness, so consider the uphill walking at the wall as well as the time in the saddle. If you take the cable car, that changes the climb but adds a separate fee.

It may be a poor fit if you want a quiet Great Wall section, a long guided hike, or a guaranteed, extended trail ride. Badaling is popular, and the included horseback time is one hour on a managed course. If you mainly want the wall, a tour focused on a less-visited section may suit you better. If the ride is your priority, ask about the location and schedule before committing.

A few useful details before you go

The tour is listed as about nine hours, with roughly two hours at Badaling and two at Kangxi Grasslands. Those stop lengths are estimates, not a promise that every minute will be spent on the wall or horseback. Travel and lunch are part of the day, and the horse arrangements may take time.

Wear clothes you can move in, and choose footwear suitable for walking at the wall. For the ride, follow the course staff’s instructions and stay within the designated riding area. The tour does not specify what riding gear is provided, so ask the operator if you need to know about helmets or other equipment.

If you need a vegetarian meal, say so when booking. If you expect to use the cable car or want more than one hour on horseback, ask about the additional fees in advance. These are small checks, but they help you compare the real cost and shape of the day with what you want.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if you want a convenient private day that pairs a well-preserved section of the Great Wall with an hour on horseback, and you are comfortable with a popular site and some uncertainty around the ride logistics. The included lunch, transport, guide, and admission make the $68 price appealing for the combination.

Think twice if you need a tightly timed horseback outing or want a long ride through open countryside. The wall portion appears to be the steadier draw; the ride adds variety, but may involve waiting or a change of location. Before booking, confirm the horse arrangement, and decide whether the cable car or extra riding time belongs in your budget.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about nine hours. The Badaling stop is about two hours, and the Kangxi Grasslands stop is also about two hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It is for your own group, with between one and ten people.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

How much horseback riding is included?

One hour of horseback riding is included. An additional hour costs extra.

Do I need horseback riding experience?

No. Riders of all levels are welcome. Course staff provide instructions on riding at an appropriate pace.

Is the Great Wall cable car included?

No. The cable car fee is not included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is included. A vegetarian option is available if you advise the operator when booking.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. Children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult. Children under seven are free and are expected to ride with an adult.

What level of fitness is required?

The stated requirement is a moderate level of physical fitness.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.