Yan Rourou and Zhang Sese's Ultimate Beijing Travel Guide: 2018 Edition Discontinued – What to Expect in the 2019 Update

Meta Description: Discover why the 2018 Beijing travel guide by Yan Rourou and Zhang Sese is discontinued, and get ready for the 2019 edition. Includes expert tips on Badaling Great Wall transport, avoiding scams, and more.

Introduction: Why This Beijing Travel Guide Matters

"If you want to go somewhere, save up enough money and just go—don't overthink it." That simple philosophy drives everything in this guide. As a certified Beijing guide on Mafengwo, I'm not a professional photographer or writer—but I have one thing that matters most: a sincere heart. I've scouted every spot, taste-tested every dish, and gained weight and steps so you don't have to fall into tourist traps.

Too many travelers leave Beijing cursing the city or its people. Let me set the record straight: 90% of scams, rip-offs, and lost tourists have nothing to do with native Beijingers. But the damage is still done—to Beijing's reputation. My goal is simple: help you see this incredible city for what it truly is, eat well, get real value, and leave with nothing but great memories.

Important Note: The 2018 Edition (Version 3) of this guide is now discontinued. Stay tuned for the 2019 Edition, which will include updated routes, new restaurant openings, and fresh scam alerts. In the meantime, this article consolidates the most critical, evergreen advice from the 2018 version—plus insider tips from our community.

Why the Beijing Travel Guide Gets Regular Updates

Beijing changes fast. Consider this: Beijing North Railway Station was closed for three years, yet tourists kept showing up for the S2 train to Badaling. Or take Manfulou Copper Pot Hotpot near Jingshan—it suddenly shut down, only to reopen elsewhere. Old travel notes are filled with outdated info; follow them and you'll find locked doors.

That's why I maintain a QQ group (ID: 245663223, verification: "Beijing travel inquiry") to share real-time updates with travelers. Thanks to the selfless sharing of group members, this guide stays authoritative, practical, and current.

Previous Versions for Reference (All Discontinued)

Topic 01: Badaling Great Wall – Latest 2018 Complete Guide (Evergreen Tips)

Badaling remains one of Beijing's most-visited attractions, but transport routes have shifted dramatically since 2016. Here's everything you need to know—updated through 2018 and still relevant for 2019.

Official Information at a Glance

  • Official Website: Search for "Badaling Great Wall official website"
  • Ticketing Policy: Detailed links available on the official site
  • Important Note: Since June 2018, the official websites for Badaling and Mutianyu have frequently been inaccessible. Follow their official WeChat accounts instead for real-time updates.

Key Change: From November 1, 2016, to October 31, 2019, Beijing North Railway Station is closed. To take the S2 line to Badaling, you now need to go to Huangtudian Railway Station, near Huoying Subway Station in Changping District.

Recommended Routes from City Center to Huoying:

  • Route 1 (Xizhimen Area): Take Line 13 from Xizhimen to Huoying.
  • Route 2 (Dongzhimen Area): Take Line 13 from Dongzhimen to Huoying.
  • Route 3 (Nanluoguxiang, Shichahai, Gulou Area): Take Line 8 from Nanluoguxiang, Shichahai, or Gulou to Huoying.

Each route takes about 40 minutes one way. After exiting Huoying Station via Exit G4, walk about 15 minutes to Huangtudian Railway Station. Note: A specific detour is required to reach the station entrance—unconfirmed chatter in February 2018 suggested a direct right-back turn, but use caution.

S2 Riding Experience: The trip from Huangtudian to Badaling Station takes about 1 hour 15 minutes. During peak season, a free shuttle bus runs from Badaling Station to the ticket office (fewer runs in off-peak season). Free shuttle hours: Badaling Wildlife Park 6:00–16:00, Badaling 6:15–16:15. Bus company: Beijing Bafangda Passenger Transport Co., Ltd., Yanqing Branch (Service Hotline: 010-69143266).

S2 Schedule Inquiry: Check the Yanqing District People's Government official website or follow "Beijing Yanqing" on WeChat/Weibo.

Transport Option 2: Bus 877 – Departing from Deshengmen, Good Value

Important Note: Scam buses often operate near the 877 terminal. Only board the official bus.

How to Find the 877 Terminal: Exit Jishuitan Subway Station and look for painted words "Deshengmen Arrow Tower" on the ground. Follow them. Do not trust random passersby or fake "staff members."

Official Queue Route (Do not take shortcuts—those are bus return lanes and dangerous): 1. Get off at the southeast corner bus stop of Deshengmen, walk up the east-side sidewalk. 2. At the first traffic light, turn around and go down the bridge. 3. Walk straight until you reach the river. 4. Turn right and continue along the main road. 5. You'll see a public restroom on your right. 6. Go up the slope and turn left. 7. You've arrived at the 877 terminal.

Queue Scene: During the 2014 National Day holiday, the line was terrifyingly long. Be mentally prepared.

Transport Option 3: Tourist Bus Line 1 – Departing from Qianmen, Direct Express

How to Buy Tickets: Log onto the Beijing Tourist Distribution Center's official website, click "City Tours" → "Suburban Leisure Tours" → "Tourist Bus Line 1: Qianmen → Badaling One-Way Ticket." Select your date, fill in the number of people, and pay via WeChat or Alipay.

Departure Times: Daily from after the flag-raising ceremony until 11:00 AM, departing from Qianmen (Tiananmen) every 30 minutes. Return trips: peak season 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, off-peak season 11:00 AM–4:30 PM.

Trip Info: Total distance about 73.9 km (46 miles), travel time about 100 minutes, direct express to the Badaling back mountain Guntiangou Parking Lot (near the cable car boarding point). On the return, you can get off at Deshengmen or Qianmen.

Important Reminders: - The boarding point is across the road from Zhengyangmen Arrow Tower, on the Qianmen Pedestrian Street side. - Tiananmen East, Tiananmen West, and Juyongguan are not stops for every bus—ask the driver before boarding. - 24-hour customer service hotline: 010-83531111 (this is the ONLY landline; all cell phone numbers on flyers are fake!)

Badaling Internal Transport and Ticket Scams

Two Parking Lots: - Back Mountain (Guntiangou Parking Lot): S2, Bus 919, Tourist Bus Line 1, and the cable car are all here. - Front Mountain (Linchang Parking Lot): Bus 877 stops here.

No Shuttle Between the Two Parking Lots! There's only a shuttle from the 919 bus stop to the cable car drop-off point.

Sled vs. Cable Car: The sled is a downhill slide (you can also take it up, but it's unnecessary—uphill and downhill are different experiences). Cable cars are faster and more reliable in bad weather.

FAQ: Beijing Travel Questions Answered

1. Is the 2018 Beijing travel guide still valid for 2019?

No. The 2018 Edition (Version 3) is discontinued. While many transport tips (like S2 train routes and 877 bus directions) remain accurate, some restaurants and attractions may have changed. Stay tuned for the 2019 Edition, which will include fresh updates.

2. How can I avoid scams at Badaling Great Wall?

  • Only board official buses (877, S2, Tourist Bus Line 1). Ignore anyone claiming to be a "staff member" near terminals.
  • Use official WeChat accounts for ticket purchases and schedule inquiries.
  • Never trust flyers with cell phone numbers—the only official hotline is 010-83531111.

3. What's the best way to get to Badaling from the city center?

The S2 train is the most recommended option—no traffic jams. Alternatively, Bus 877 from Deshengmen is a budget-friendly choice. Avoid driving during peak season due to congestion.

4. Are there any new scams I should know about?

Yes. In 2018, fake "tourist information centers" near Qianmen and Deshengmen were reported. Always verify official websites and phone numbers. Also, beware of "free tours" that pressure you into buying overpriced souvenirs.

5. How can I join the QQ group for real-time updates?

Search for group ID 245663223 on QQ and use the verification message "Beijing travel inquiry." The group is free and run by a certified guide—no kickbacks, no shills, just genuine advice.

Internal Linking Suggestions

  • [Link: How to Avoid Common Beijing Tourist Scams]
  • [Link: Beijing's Best Budget-Friendly Restaurants – 2019 Update]
  • [Link: Mutianyu vs. Badaling Great Wall – Which to Choose?]
  • [Link: Beijing Subway Guide for First-Time Visitors]
  • [Link: Top 10 Hidden Gems in Beijing Locals Love]

Strong Call to Action: Stay Tuned for the 2019 Edition

Beijing is a city that rewards preparation. The 2018 Edition of this guide served thousands of travelers—but times change, and so must the guide. The 2019 Edition is coming soon, packed with updated routes, new restaurant discoveries, and the latest scam alerts.

Don't miss out. Join the QQ group (ID: 245663223, verification: "Beijing travel inquiry") to be the first to know when the 2019 Edition drops. Or bookmark this page and check back regularly for updates.

Your Beijing adventure starts here—make it unforgettable.

Have questions? Drop them in the comments below, or message me directly via QQ. I'm here to help—no kickbacks, no fluff, just honest advice.

Stay tuned. The best is yet to come.

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