Mutianyu is a section of the Great Wall in Huairou District, about 70 km northeast of central Beijing. It is restored, lined with closely spaced watchtowers, and set on forested ridges that turn green in summer and red and gold in October. For a first visit it strikes the best balance between scenery, comfort and crowds.
You do not have to climb up to the wall. A cable car and a chairlift lift you from the base, and a metal toboggan track carries you back down. That makes Mutianyu one of the few sections that works well for families, older travelers and anyone short on time.
Tickets and rides
Entry costs ¥40 for adults. On top of that you pay ¥15 return for the compulsory shuttle bus, which runs from the visitor center and car parks to the base of the lifts. Tickets are real-name, so carry your passport. Booking a day ahead through the 慕田峪长城 WeChat mini program or a booking platform is the safe choice, especially on weekends and Chinese holidays.
There are three ways up and down:
- Cable car. An enclosed cabin from the north ticket entrance to Tower 14. A good choice for older travelers and anyone uneasy with heights.
- Chairlift. An open two-seat lift to the wall near Tower 6.
- Toboggan. A metal track of about 1.5 km from near Tower 6 to the base, downhill only. You control the speed with a hand brake.
One-way rides have cost ¥100 for several years. Return and combined fares (chairlift up, toboggan down) are listed at ¥120 to ¥140 depending on the source and season, so check the price in the mini program when you book. Children under 1.2 m ride free; taller children pay the adult fare.
Getting there
The simplest option is a hired car or a small-group day tour. The drive takes about 1.5 to 2 hours each way, depending on traffic. Leaving central Beijing by 7:30 gets you to the wall before most groups.
By public transport, take the 916 Express bus from the Dongzhimen transport hub (subway Lines 2 and 13 and the Capital Airport Express) to Huairou Beidajie. There, change to local bus H23 toward Mutianyu Roundabout. The whole trip takes about 2.5 hours. Pay with a contactless bank card, Alipay or WeChat transit codes; check the paying in China guide before you go. The last buses back from Huairou leave in the early evening, and earlier in winter.
Several companies run direct tourist buses from central pickup points in the morning, returning mid-afternoon. Schedules change by season, so confirm the departure point and return time when you book.
A simple plan
Ride the cable car to Tower 14. Walk on toward Tower 20 if you want views and a workout; the wall climbs steeply here. Then turn back and walk the other way, past Tower 14, along the stretch to Tower 6. Take the toboggan or chairlift down from there.
This route ends at the toboggan, so you do not have to retrace your steps to the cable car. Allow three to four hours at the wall, including the shuttle and the queues for the lifts.
When to go
April to May and September to October bring the best weather. Mid-October usually brings autumn color on the hillsides. Summer is green but hot and can be hazy, and winter is cold, windy and quiet. Weekday mornings are the calmest time; Chinese national holidays are the busiest.
From mid-March to mid-November the site opens at about 7:30 and stays open later on weekends. Winter hours are shorter, and the lifts close earlier than the site. In summer the section between Towers 10 and 15 has also opened for evening visits; check whether night tours are running before you plan around one.
Tips
Wear shoes with grip. The stone paving is uneven, and some stretches are steep enough to need the handrail.
Bring water, sun protection and a layer. It is often cooler and windier on the ridge than in the city.
There are restaurants and shops in the village area at the base. Save the Peking duck for dinner back in town; our Beijing food guide covers what to order.
If you are planning a whole Beijing stay around a Great Wall day, the Beijing city guide suggests where it fits best.
Checked on 29 October 2026. Opening times and ticket rules change; confirm on the official site before you go.
