One wall, one prairie, one long day. This private Beijing outing mixes a guided walk on Badaling Great Wall with horseback riding at Kangxi Grasslands, where you trade city views for open grass.

I love how it stays human-sized: it’s just your group (up to 10) with a guide and driver, so you’re not swallowed by crowds. I also like that buffet lunch comes included before the ride, which helps when you’ve got a long day ahead.

One consideration: the horseback part can involve real-world scheduling by the local riding operation, and that’s why it pays to stay flexible. Also, the cable car (if you use it) and any extra riding time cost extra.

Key Things You’ll Really Notice

• Badaling’s most complete section: guided time on the wall that’s known for being well-preserved and visitor-friendly.
• Sun-view Tower panoramas: you can hike up or use the cable car to reach the best viewpoint area.
• Kangxi Grasslands horseback riding: a standard riding field with multiple horses, and staff instruction for different comfort levels.
• An included meal that keeps you going: buffet lunch is built into the day, with a vegetarian option if you request it.
• Rules that matter for safety: you’ll mount one way, ride within the course, and you won’t be allowed to hop to random horses.

How This Badaling + Kangxi Combo Fits Together

This tour works because it gives you two very different beats in one stretch of time. You start with one of Beijing’s most famous views—the Great Wall at Badaling—then you switch gears to the calmer, open-feeling Kangxi Grasslands where horse riding is the point.

For me, the best part is the pacing choice. Badaling can feel like a stampede if you’re just showing up. Here, you’re doing it with a guide and a private setup, so you spend more time moving intentionally and less time trying to figure out where the crowds are headed next.

And the Kangxi addition isn’t just a scenic stop. You’re getting an actual 1-hour horseback riding block in a managed riding area, which makes the day feel more like an outing than a sightseeing bus trip.

Private Pickup and a Small Group, Not a Crowd Line

You get hotel pickup and drop-off, plus an air-conditioned vehicle. That sounds basic, but in Beijing it’s the difference between enjoying the day and burning time on logistics.

The tour is private in the sense that it’s your group only—up to about 1 to 10 people with your guide and driver. In practice, that means:

• fewer waiting games while everyone hunts for the right ticket line
• more flexibility if you need a moment to catch your breath on the wall
• a guide who can keep you on track through two big activities

Also, you get a mobile ticket. That matters if you don’t want to fuss with paper tickets on a busy day.

Badaling Great Wall: Walk, Ride the Cable Car, and Aim for Sun-View Tower

Badaling is the wall stop for a reason. It’s described as the best-preserved and most complete section, and it’s also the most popular. That popularity is real—so the value here is how you handle it with a guide and a planned 2-hour block.

You’ll start with your hotel pickup in the morning, then head straight to the wall. Once there, your guide helps you make the most of your time at the viewpoint area, including Sun-view Tower, which is tied to the highest latitude on the route you’re taking.

You typically have two ways to get there:

• Hike up as part of your wall time
• Take the cable car (note: cable car fee is not included)

When you’re choosing between hike vs. cable car, think about your day after the wall. This itinerary still includes lunch and horseback riding, so if you know you’ll be worn out by steep steps, cable car time can be a smart energy save. If you like the steady workout and want every minute of movement to feel purposeful, hiking works too.

Either way, the goal is the same: use that wall time to get the panoramic views over the parapets and the surrounding countryside.

The Wall Time Cut: 2 Hours Is Enough If You Don’t Overschedule Yourself

Two hours on Badaling isn’t a full-day wall marathon, and that’s good. You’re not trying to conquer every stone step on the mountain. You’re getting the classic experience—walkable sections, guide context, and a big view payoff—without turning the rest of the day into recovery mode.

A practical tip: come ready for stairs and uneven terrain. Even though you’re guided, the wall is still the wall. If you’re hoping for a totally flat stroll, you might find Badaling more physical than you expect.

Buffet Lunch at the Right Moment (And Vegetarian Planning)

After the wall, you’ll work up an appetite fast. This tour handles that with a buffet lunch included before you head to Kangxi Grassland.

What I like about building lunch into the schedule is timing. You’re fueled up before the horseback part, instead of trying to grab something randomly on the road. And if you eat vegetarian, there’s a vegetarian option available—just tell the operator at booking.

Because lunch is included, the day feels smoother. You don’t have to make quick decisions under pressure while everyone’s hungry and the bus schedule is moving.

Kangxi Grasslands: Horseback Riding on an Actual Riding Field

Kangxi Grassland is the shift from iconic stone to open prairie feel. The tour frames it as an ecological prairie in Beijing that’s well-known as a summer resort area.

The riding setup is pretty clear: there’s a standard horse riding field with a variety of horses for you to choose from. The attraction isn’t just seeing horses. It’s riding them in a managed course where staff help set expectations.

If you’re a beginner, this is one of the better styles of riding experience because you’re not left alone with a horse and luck. The course staff instruct you and help you keep a safe, appropriate pace. If you’re experienced, you still get the fun of open space and movement—but within a structured riding area.

How Riding Time Works Here

Your tour includes 1 hour horseback riding. If you want more time, there’s an additional hour fee that’s not included.

Here’s the reality to keep in mind: horseback operations involve local horses, staff timing, and weather conditions. In at least one real situation, your guide may need to work with the local riding operator to make sure the hour ride happens, even if that means adjustments like driving to a different place and waiting for the horses. The lesson for you is simple: be patient, stay flexible, and lean on your guide to handle coordination.

Riding Rules You Should Know Before You Mount

This isn’t a free-range adventure. You’re expected to follow the course’s instructions.

Key points you’ll be asked to follow:

• Mounting instruction matters: you should stand in the left front of the horse when mounting, based on staff instructions.
• Ride within the course. You shouldn’t leave the course or ride horses that aren’t part of the uniform, insured, managed setup.
• If you’re traveling with kids, follow the adult rules below.

For safety, these rules aren’t annoying details—they’re what keep the riding organized.

Kids and Comfort Level: Who This Day Suits Best

The tour is designed to welcome riders of different levels. It explicitly says riders of all levels are welcome, and that staff instruction supports beginners.

For kids:

• Children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Children under 7 are free, but you’ll still be asked to ride with an adult.

You also should have a moderate physical fitness level. That doesn’t mean you need to be athletic. It means you should be comfortable with a wall walk (plus steps) and spending time seated and moving during the day.

If you’re traveling as a family, the combination is attractive: wall for the adults and a hands-on horseback activity for the kids who want something more than photos.

If you’re traveling solo or as a couple, the private format still helps. You’ll spend less energy on logistics and more on the actual experiences.

Price and Value: Is $68 Worth It for Badaling and Riding?

At $68 per person, this tour can be a strong value if you want both major experiences without assembling them yourself.

Why it’s potentially good value:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off are included
• An air-conditioned vehicle is included
• A professional guide is included
• Badaling admission is included
• Lunch is included (buffet, with vegetarian option available)
• 1 hour of horseback riding is included
• Bottled water is included
• The tour is private to your group (up to about 1–10 people)

Where the costs can creep up:

• Cable car fee on the Great Wall is not included
• Additional hour horseback riding fee is not included
• Horseback riding instructor fee is not included

So the math depends on your choices. If you take the cable car and want extra riding, you’ll pay more. If you’re fine with hiking part of the wall and sticking to the included 1-hour ride, you’re more likely to feel like you got the core experiences at a reasonable rate.

Scheduling Reality: Where Timing Can Feel Tricky

Most of the day is straightforward: morning pickup, wall time, lunch, then Kangxi riding.

The one place where you should expect some real-world movement is the horseback portion. Horse riding depends on local horse availability and staffing. That doesn’t mean it fails. It means you should expect that the riding operation may need to adjust in order to get riders seated and riding safely.

My practical advice: ask your guide early how they plan to ensure your 1-hour ride is protected. Then trust them to coordinate. If the riding location or waiting time changes, that’s usually part of the logistics chain, not some personal failure.

Should You Book This Tour?

If you want a private Badaling Great Wall experience plus a genuine horseback riding activity without piecing it together yourself, I’d lean yes. The included meal, included wall admission, and included 1-hour ride make it feel more complete than a basic wall-only tour.

You should book if:

• you like the idea of doing Badaling with less crowd friction
• you’re comfortable with moderate walking and stairs
• you want horse riding that’s structured and staff-supported
• you’re traveling as a family with kids who are old enough to ride with an adult

You might skip or reconsider if:

• you’re hoping the day is fully low-effort from start to finish
• you know you’ll insist on cable car and extra riding time (because those add fees)
• you’re very sensitive to timing changes around horse operations

FAQ

How long is the Private Tour: Badaling Great Wall and Kangxi Grasslands on Horseback?

It runs for about 9 hours.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. You’re picked up from your Beijing hotel and dropped off afterward.

How much horseback riding is included?

You get 1 hour of horseback riding included. Additional riding time has an extra fee.

Do I need prior experience to ride a horse here?

Riders of all levels are welcome. Staff instructions are provided to help you ride at an appropriate pace.

Are Great Wall admission tickets included?

Yes. The Badaling admission ticket is included for the time at the wall.

What’s not included in the tour price?

Cable car fees on the Great Wall are not included, and the fee for an additional hour of horseback riding is not included either. A horseback riding instructor fee is also not included.

Are there rules for children?

Yes. Children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult. Children under 7 are free, but they will be asked to ride with an adult.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, you won’t get a refund.

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