The Great WallMutianyu Great Wall
🏛️ Attraction Overview
The Great Wall is China’s greatest ancient defensive structure, stretching over 21,000 kilometers. The most worthwhile section near Beijing is Mutianyu—just as spectacular but far less crowded than Badaling.
✨ Why It’s Worth a Visit
Stand on the Great Wall and gaze into the distance; the city walls winding along the ridges stretch far into the distance—this is one of the most spectacular achievements in the history of human engineering.
Practical Tips
Choose Mutianyu, not Badaling
Badaling is the most famous but also the most crowded. Mutianyu is just as spectacular, less crowded, and features a toboggan run down the mountain. For foreign tourists, Mutianyu is the best choice.
We recommend taking the scenic area shuttle (Busda/Mu Bus)
Take the shuttle from Exit B of Heping West Bridge Station on Metro Line 5. Prices start at approximately 98 yuan, including round-trip tickets, admission, and the shuttle bus. It’s a direct one-stop trip taking about 1–1.5 hours.
Take the cable car to Building 14 → Hero’s Slope (No. 20) → Descend via the slide
The classic route: Take the cable car up to Watchtower No. 14 → Walk west to Vantage Point No. 20 → Return on foot to Watchtower No. 6 → Take the slide down the mountain. About 2.5 hours.
Common Mistakes
❌ Visit Badaling on the weekend
Tourists usually choose Badaling by default because it’s the most famous.
Consequences: It’s so crowded you can barely move. Head to Mutianyu instead.
❌ Took an unlicensed taxi for a “Great Wall Day Trip”
People around Tiananmen Square hawk “cheap Great Wall tours.”
Consequences: You may be taken to the “Wild Great Wall” or stopped along the way to buy jade. Take official direct buses like “Da Bus.”
Ticket Information
- Price
- Admission: 40 yuan + shuttle bus: 15 yuan (required for round trip) + cable car: 140 yuan (round trip)
- Prices for Foreigners
- Same price as for domestic tourists
- Student Discount
- ✅ Available
- Book
- ✅ No reservation required
- Book in Advance
- 1 Days in Advance
Location Information
Mutianyu Village, Bohai Town, Huairou District, Beijing (approx. 73 km from downtown)
Opening Hours
Open 7:30–18:00 (summer) / 7:30–17:00 (winter), daily
Best Time to Visit
Arrive before 8:30 AM on weekdays. Spring (April–May) and fall (mid-October to early November, during the autumn foliage season) are the most beautiful times to visit.