Visiting the Great Wall of China must be on everybody’s bucket list, and to actually get the chance to experience China’s greatest feat of engineering was a dream come true.
I was initially a little confused about which section to do; going to the Great Wall isn’t just a case of going to “the” section, there are so many that offer so many different experiences.
I wanted to see the Great Wall of China both in its restored state and in a more authentic fashion, but we were also conscious of time and cost. In the end, I opted for Mutianyu and felt it had a perfect balance of wilderness and accessibility.
My visit to the Great Wall of China really did not disappoint!
Here’s how to visit The Great Wall of China, Mutianyu, from Beijing. Including everything you need to know about transport, tickets, scams, tours, and additional experiences and other sections of the wall to visit.
How to Get from Beijing to the Mutianyu Great Wall? Read on for the lowdown. Image: The Roaming Renegades
How To Get To The Great Wall of China, Mutianyu, and Cost
Ok, so now you’ll be wanting to know exactly how to get to the Great Wall of China from Beijing… or at least, I’m presuming that’s why you’re here!
Well, this guide is going to cover in detail how to get to the Mutianyu Great Wall from Beijing, including transport tips, scams, cost, additional experiences and other areas of the wall to visit.
Take a Tour (My Recommendation)
Alright, let’s have a look at how to go to the Mutianyu Great Wall from Beijing.
Honestly, in my opinion, this is the best way to see the Great Wall of China. As you may know, there are many tourist scams in China, especially when visiting Mutianyu from Beijing, and most of these happen when taking the public bus; that’s why we recommend taking a tour.
It’s so much more convenient as they offer pick up and drop off at your accommodation, most tours offer skip the lines, so you’re straight in with no queuing, which means more time up there. They will also offer you complimentary tea and snacks. Plus, choose from several package options to suit your visit.
If you don’t fancy taking a tour and want to do it on your own, then consider taking the tourist bus from Qianmen. This is a very affordable option that gets you directly to the Great Wall at Mutianyu.
You just have to get yourself to Qianmen, where the bus leaves from. Also, doing it this way avoids the common scams. When it comes to the best Beijing to Mutianyu transport options, this is better than the public bus as it’s more direct and more protected.
Here’s some info and pricing for the tourist bus
Direct from Qianmen (Zhengyangmen) (South of Tiananmen Square) – Mutianyu
Duration – 1.5 hours
Cost – 80 CYN for a round trip
Buses set off between 07:30-10:00 am, and buses set off once full
Buses leave back to Qianmen between 13:00-16:00
Purchase tickets with the conductor once on the bus
How to get to Qianmen
Take subway line 2 to Qianmen station, use exit B and walk 200 meters south.
Alternatives to get to Qianmen – Use any of these buses: 2,5,22,48,59,66,67,82,93,120,137,141,599, and 622. All of these will get you to Qianmen Station, and you’ll see the stop as soon as you get off.
In peak season, there are many more tourist buses from Qianmen to Mutianyu.
This is the cheapest but least convenient way to get from Beijing to the Great Wall of China. We did it this way when we visited and witnessed the scams firsthand. Make sure to read more about them below in the yellow box. This is still a good option and will save your pennies, but just prepare yourself for a longer journey and some scams along the way.
Here’s a little guide on how to visit Mutianyu from Beijingusing the public bus route
Take bus line 916 express for 15 stops to Huairou North Avenue.
Bus lines H23, H24, H35, H36. It stops 3 km from the entrance. You need to walk or take a taxi to the scenic entrance, then take a shuttle bus to the ticket gate.
10CYN (single) or 15CYN (round trip)
This route can get very crowded and has many stops along the way.
Read the section below in green on how to avoid scams on this particular route.
WARNING!
It’s important to ignore “official-looking” people in the bus station who try to drag you away onto other buses. These people are scammers and will actually take you to a random village where you’ll have no choice but to pay a lot of money to get back or to get to the wall.
Also, don’t be fooled by “official-looking” people who try to tell you to get off the bus before you reach the station; they will only charge more money to get there.
Taxi/ Private Car
Being frugal backpackers, this was not really an option for us, but if you’ve got the funds, this is a great, hassle-free way to visit the Great Wall of China. You’ll have much more comfort having your own transport, and you can be on your own timescale.
Here’s some useful info for taxis and private cars
Cost: 600 – 1000 CYN for a round trip, but you must confirm this with the driver beforehand, as the taxis aren’t metered.
You can also have the option to rent a private car with a driver, but this is more advised for groups of between 3-4 people.
Cost of private car: 700 – 1200 CYN
Alternatively, you can take a private car/ tour all the way from Beijing and save yourself all this hassle, whilst having the comfort of a car all to yourself. This way, you also know for sure how much it’s going to cost to reach the Mutianyu Great Wall section.
How to Purchase a Ticket to Visit the Great Wall of China
Ok, now I’ve covered how to visit The Great Wall of China from Beijing, let’s look at buying your tickets and the different options available when you do get there.
Whilst it’s not essential to pre-book tickets for the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu, it’s certainly recommended as it avoids long queues at the ticket office, especially during peak season and potentially loses you valuable time during your visit.
By pre-booking your ticket, you’ll guarantee your entry and also have the convenience of choosing the date and time of your visit. The Great Wall Mutianyu section doesn’t get as busy as Badaling, but it’s still one of the more popular areas to visit.
Select the type of ticket you wish to book. These include: Regular Adult Ticket (40CYN)
Postcard Adult Ticket (45CYN)
Postcard Adult Ticket and Shuttle Bus Round Trip (60CYN)
Shuttle Bus and Cable Car Round Trip (200CYN).
You can also select other options in the drop-down bars below the ticket selections.
Fill in your name and passport number.
Then fill in your Country, name, phone number and email address.
And finally fill in your payment details.
Once the payment has gone through, you’ll receive an email with your QR code.
Taking a Tour
If you plan on taking a tour, you’ll get your Great Wall of China entrance ticket included. We recommend this option as it cuts out a lot of the hassle of pre-booking your ticket and organising transport to the Great Wall.
They also often come with added extras such as skip the lines, free tea and snacks, and accommodation pick up/ drop off. You’ll also have the option to have a guide tell you all of the history and information about the wall during your visit.
Now this is where it does admittedly get a bit touristy, but after hiking a long section of the abandoned wall, we wanted to take the fun route back down to the bottom: the Great Wall of China, Mutianyu toboggan!
Flying around tight bends and sweeping corners, it just finished off what had been an immense day at the Great Wall of China…although we did get told off a few times for going too fast!!
Hey, why not!!
Travel is all about fun as well as just seeking out unique experiences, although this is pretty unique! One of the lessons we’ve learnt whilst travelling over the years is to go with your heart and to have fun. And, honestly, the Mutianyu Great Wall Toboggan was just that!
Where the shuttle bus drops you off at the entrance to the wall is the main place for buying all your tickets.
Here you can purchase your entry to the wall alongside combo tickets for the chairlift (to go up) and the toboggan (to come down). I recommend buying them together to save having the queue again at the top.
The toboggan ride is part of the chairlift station at Tower 6, so you will need to go up before you can access it!
Important Info
The cable car is an enclosed gondola which fits up to 6 people and takes you to the wall from Tower 14. This is roughly CNY 140 round-trip.
The chair lift is open and fits two people; this can be taken from Tower 6, and it connects to the wall as well as the toboggan run. A round-trip (ascending via chairlift, descending via toboggan) is CNY 140.
You can explore the wall from each.
The toboggan ride one-way ticket costs CNY 100.
The entrance fee to Mutianyu is CNY 40 for adults and CNY 20 for children and seniors.
Our Experience Visiting The Great Wall of China
As we stepped off the bus and finally reached the entrance to Mutianyu, we could see the Great Wall in the distance. Snaking its way across the mountainside, a band of grey in a forest of amber. It felt almost like a lifetime’s ambition was to finally come true.
Sometimes I can hardly bring myself to believe we are going to do something we’ve dreamt of for so long until I know it is going to happen.
We knew The Great Wall of China at Mutianyu would offer us the ultimate experience of the Great Wall.
The wild sections of the wall offer something totally different Image: The Roaming Renegades
A True Bucket List Gem
Standing here with just a short way to go, we knew this bucket list item, probably one of the first any of us usually add to our list, would finally be ticked. Now the excitement levels rose, and reaching the top of the ropeway cable car, the sense of elation upon setting foot into this great and giant masterpiece was immense.
Now it was time to explore… and we couldn’t wait for the Great Wall of China, Mutianyu toboggan back down after the cool cable car ride up!
Time to Explore This Marvellous Wonder of the World
The first section of the wall we reached was the main hiking section for most of those who visit Mutianyu.
Pretty much all of the other visitors headed up left, although I have to say that it was a lot quieter up here than those “dreams vs reality” memes lead you to believe. But then again, we are in low season.
So heading off right, it was pretty quiet and at times we had sections all to ourselves right off the cable car.
Here, the wall has been faithfully restored in the huge dark grey stones in which it once stood. However, what is really nice about this section is that, despite reconstructions to bring it up to the standard we see here today, it is actually one of the best-preserved sections of the wall.
This means that even much of what appears to have been rebuilt is still very much the original Great Wall. Apart from the Great Wall of China, Mutianyu toboggan back down the side and the cable car up there!! But we can let that one go!
If you keep walking, you can get sections with no other people. Image: The Roaming Renegades
Let’s Learn About the Incredible History
The Mutianyu section was first constructed during the 6th century, making it one of the oldest sections and much older than the popular Badaling section.
The present wall was built on top of those earlier foundations during the Ming Dynasty around 1404 and was rebuilt again in 1569.
Much of what you see here today is still preserved from those reconstructions, as this area did not suffer the pillaging of other sections, nor the brunt of the battering weather. Many consider this section to be of the largest scale and best quality.
The restored section for us was really quite amazing. To see the wall in all its intended glory was fantastic.
The densely packed watchtowers and turrets with their steep and unrelenting steps gave us breathtaking views over the wall below us and the surrounding mountainside.
It was also more of a hike than we even considered having, and we almost walked up to the wall instead of taking the cable car; now we were glad we saved our energy.
Wandering Around the Abandoned Sections
Despite being totally in awe at the reconstructed section of the wall, and if truth be told, if we had ended this trip there, we would have been satisfied, we still longed to see the wilder section of the wall.
We chose to visit the Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall as we knew either end joined onto the last sections of both of the other wild sections we had considered visiting.
This meant that with a swift shuffle and a slight dangle out of one of the tower windows of the reconstructed section, we were in the wild!
Stepping onto here, the noise from the other visitors dimmed into silence, and we could hear the wind whistling through the crumbling granite blocks of the wall.
If you keep going, you can find overgrown sections around here Image: The Roaming Renegades
Here, the Great Wall was almost consumed by overgrowth, nature attempting to reclaim this spot back from one of the world’s largest wonders.
Along the original wall at long last we traversed this challenging section, areas literally falling away below our feet and to the ground below us. Once grand watch towers in ruins, as trees twisted their way through the once elegant walls.
One which felt much more authentic and real, where we could imagine this untameable land all those thousands of years ago. Troops marching along these very stones, untouched for centuries, we now followed in their footsteps.
Here, the sense of history is that much more intense, and the isolation just dials every sensation up a notch.
This really makes The Great Wall of China at Mutianyu the best spot possible to see the different sides of the wall.
Get the Right Insurance For the Great Wall of China
Climbing through holes in the Great Wall of China, sitting in a chair lift on the way up and tobogganing back down… It’s easy to see why you’d need good travel insurance before visiting China! Do yourself a favour and get it organised so you can have a good time without worry.
Travel insurance is one of those annoying things that no one likes to think about, let alone pay for, when you’re planning your next trip. It can also be bloody annoying as a backpacker/long-term traveller to find affordable coverage that meets the itinerary-less lifestyle (*cough* World Nomads *cough*).
So instead of getting subpar travel insurance, now we just always go with SafetyWing. It takes like 5-10 minutes to purchase your policy and essentially functions as a monthly subscription plan with near-global coverage!
Other Sections of the Great Wall You Should Consider Visiting
Mutianyu may be, in my opinion, the best section of the Great Wall of China that you should visit, but it’s certainly not the only one. There are many others, and each has their own unique experiences. Below is a little bit of information and some pros and cons about some of the other sections you may want to consider.
Badaling – Most Popular and Easy to Reach
This is the most visited and well-restored section of the wall. It is known for its impressive scale and historical significance. It’s one of the easier sections of the wall to reach and, as a result, can be busier than others.
However, if you’re short on time and you want an easy option, Badaling still offers an incredible experience as well as having plenty of amenities such as a cable car, restaurants, cafes and shops.
For those wanting an experience that feels a bit more authentic, it sometimes misses the mark. This section of the wall is entirely restored, so it does have a slightly commercialised vibe compared to the wild and untamed sections you can visit in other areas.
The crowds, especially during weekends and holidays, can also get so bad that they’ve recently introduced a daily cap for visitors, so bear that in mind.
The easiest to reach section from Beijing has many different options.
A huge amount of amenities, including a cable car, restaurants, cafes and shops).
Fully restored wall that is safe for all ages.
Very accessible and great for those who have limited mobility and time.
It often gets very crowded, especially with large tour groups.
Feels a lot less authentic and a lot more touristy.
Can be frustrating to get good pictures without crowds.
Jiankou is known for its rugged and unrestored sections and is perfect for those travellers looking for a wild and untamed experience. It’s an adventurer’s dream, with dramatic mountainous landscapes and steep climbs.
It’s definitely not for the faint-hearted, but for those who do venture out here, they’ll be rewarded with vast sections of the wall to themselves.
It’s quite out of the way, and many people tackle this as a hike to Mutianyu, which is a great way to experience the wall. It also makes at least one direction of travel a little easier to organise.
But with the dangerous nature of some of the steep and unkept sections, another good option if you want to visit this section is to take a tour.
Great for travellers who want to get off the beaten path and explore.
Very photogenic with stunning scenery.
Very quiet, you’ll often have this section to yourself.
Not officially open to tourists, so you do risk getting fines even with a guide (though this is rare).
Requires a guide to hike safely.
Quite dangerous in places, as it’s not maintained.
Can be quite awkward to get to, via the village of Xizhazi.
Jinshanling – A Perfect Balance Between Wild and Restored
This section of the wall is perfect for hikers and photographers looking for a wild experience without having to venture out into the middle of nowhere. It’s a great balance between the wild parts and the restored section of the wall.
With fewer crowds and amazing sweeping landscapes, photographers will love this section. Here you won’t need to battle through a sea of tourists or risk life and limb on dangerous and crumbling sections of the wall.
It feels dramatic and remote, and yet it’s safe and restored in a much more sympathetic way. It’s not too dissimilar to Mutianyu in many ways, only less developed and more out of the way.
Offers large hiking sections
Varied terrain mixed with amazing scenery
Far fewer tourists than at Badaling
Much further away from Beijing, making it more awkward to get to.
Can be occasionally closed due to restoration and bad weather.
The Great Wall of China goes through some incredible scenery Image: The Roaming Renegades
Why Mutianyu Is The Best Section Of The Great Wall of China
By visiting the Mutianyu section of this immense structure, we truly got to make our dreams a reality in the most amazing manner.
It gave us the opportunity to see the wall in its various guises and states. To be able to see the full glory of such a majestic place, as well as the wild abandonment that much of the ruined original wall still lies in.
This really allowed us to tick off this major bucket list item in the fullest sense of the word! Plus, the Great Wall of China, Mutianyu toboggan and cable car were such a unique and fun experience!
Right then, folks, that brings us to the end of my Mutianyu from Beijing guide. If you’ve got any questions, then please drop a comment.
This section of the wall offers a good balance of restored and unrestored sections Image: The Roaming Renegades
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There’s no direct train to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall; you can take a train part of the way.
Go to Beijing North Railway Station (北京北站) and take a suburban train on the Huairou–Miyun line to Huairou North Station (怀柔北站).
From there, take a taxi or shuttle bus to Mutianyu; it takes around 1.5 hours.
Mutianyu is about 70 km northeast of Beijing and takes around 1.5-2 hours to reach.
The two main ways to get there are either by taking a public bus or going on a tour.
Independent travellers can take the 916 Express bus from Dongzhimen to Huairou, then a taxi or local bus to Mutianyu.
You’ll need at least 2-3 hours once you’re at the wall to get up from the base, to explore all the different sections and also to then take the toboggan down.
Including transport there and back, you’re looking at at least 5 hours, so I would probably put aside a full day to really make the most out of it.
It’s possible to buy tickets for the Mutianyu Great Wall at the ticket office at the bottom of the wall once you arrive.
However, in high season, it’s recommended to book online beforehand in order to skip the long queues that can form.
For transparency’s sake:Many of the links we have on our site are affiliate links. This means that when you click one of these links and make a booking or purchase, for example: accommodation, gear, insurance or transport, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you).Also, know that as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Most importantly, know that we still only recommend services, gear and products we believe in and our earned commission helps us keep travelling and bringing you high-quality posts and content.
Yo, I’m Nic (they/them), one-half of The Roaming Renegades.
I’m an adventure (and halloumi) obsessed traveller with a passion for hiking mountains, exploring cities, watching Arsenal win, moshing out to Rammstein in random European fields and getting hopelessly lost on a motorbike somewhere in Asia! I am also a proud member of the LGBT+ community.
I’ve explored 80 countries, lived in Australia and New Zealand, and spent months wandering Southeast Asia, South America and Eastern Europe, all while trying to avoid growing up!
Did it work? I dunno, but my back hurts, and I still collect Pokémon cards! Who wants in?!
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