Originally Posted by
moondog
Between those two choices badaling is easier, but you must work a plan that avoids the crowds. That having been said I'm pretty sure you can do better than both wrt the requirement at hand. Along these lines I suggest that you join the "hiking around Beijing" group on Beijingstuff and ask the guy posts all the time for advice.
Thanks. I am traveling with someone that is not in the best of shape and she is concerned with the amount of walking involved (especially uphill). I know that mutianyu is less crowded and touristy than badaling, but we can deal with the crowds if badaling is the easier of the two physically. Is there that much of a difference physically between the two?