Mutianyu Great Wall Tickets + Day Tour Guide
A flagship Ming-dynasty section: 5.4 km, 22 watchtowers, half the crowds of Badaling, far better preserved. Klook day tours include Beijing round-trip coach + cable car + guide, from ¥240.
Quick Summary: 3 things to know first
| Ticket price | Adult ¥45 / Child (6–18) ¥25 / under 6 free |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Apr–Oct 7:30–18:00; Nov–Mar 8:00–17:00 (open daily) |
| Reservation needed? | Yes. All tickets require real-name ID (national ID/passport). 7 days ahead in holiday peaks; 1–2 days on weekdays is fine. |
| Distance from Beijing | ~75 km. Self-drive 1.5 h; group coach 2 h. |
| Suggested time on site | 4–6 hours (8–10 h door to door including transfers) |
1. Mutianyu vs Badaling: which one?
This is probably the most-asked question by first-time Beijing visitors. Short answer: if you only visit the Great Wall once and you're not in a rush, go to Mutianyu. Three reasons.
First, half the crowds. Badaling sees over 8 million visitors a year; Mutianyu about 2 million. On a public-holiday day, Badaling is jam-packed — Mutianyu still gives you photos with empty wall in the frame.
Second, more intact watchtowers. Mutianyu preserves 22 original Ming-dynasty watchtowers — the highest density on the entire Great Wall (one every ~250 metres on average), most restored faithfully to the original in the 1980s. Badaling, due to far heavier visitor pressure, has had more modern reinforcement.
Third, there's a toboggan down. This is unique to Mutianyu — a 1.58 km metal slide running from Tower 6 all the way down, 13 minutes of fun, especially loved by kids. Badaling only has a cable car.
Where Badaling wins? Easier transport. Badaling has a high-speed rail station (Beijing North → Badaling Great Wall in 27 min) and a budget bus from Deshengmen (Bus 877, 90 min, ¥12). Mutianyu has no metro, no rail link — you must drive or take a tour.
My take: first time in Beijing with only 3 days — book the Mutianyu day tour (¥240–480), zero transit hassle, best experience. On a business trip with only half a day — Badaling by high-speed rail makes the round-trip easy.
2. Ticket Comparison: which option pays off
Admission alone is just ¥45, but in practice you'll add more. Real-world cost comparison:
| Option | Includes | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| A · Self-drive, ticket only | Admission + ¥15 shuttle bus | ¥60 | Have a car + flexible schedule |
| B · Self-drive + return cable car | Admission + cable car ¥140 | ¥200 | Skip the climb, efficient |
| C · Self-drive + cable up + toboggan down | Admission + one-way cable + toboggan ¥200 | ¥260 | Families with kids |
| D · Klook day tour basic | Admission + Beijing round-trip coach + guide | ¥240 | Most visitors |
| E · Klook day tour upgrade | D + return cable car + lunch | ¥380 | Hands-off experience |
| F · Private small group 5–6 pax | Private vehicle + private guide + everything | From ¥480 / pax | Family / business |
For most overseas or out-of-town visitors, Option D or E is the sweet spot: no need to figure out bus transfers, no worry about the return, with a guide thrown in. The same products on Klook usually run 15–25% cheaper than offline travel agencies (no shopfront cost), with free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
3. Recommended Routes (half-day / full-day)
The open section runs from Tower 1 to Tower 23, 5.4 km. Two access methods at each end:
- Cable car (enclosed): up to near Tower 14, ¥100 one-way, 4 min;
- Toboggan: up to near Tower 6, ¥100 one-way, 10 min;
- Open chairlift: up to Tower 6, ¥100 one-way, 6 min;
- On foot: 1,300+ steps from the entrance to Tower 8, about 40 min — your legs will be sore for three days.
Route A: Classic half-day (3.5 hours)
- Cable car up to Tower 14;
- Walk along the wall to Tower 20 (highest point, 540 m above sea level), about 30 min;
- Walk back to Tower 14, then continue to Tower 6, about 60 min;
- Toboggan down — 13 minutes to the bottom.
Route B: Full experience (5–6 hours)
Cable car up → walk to Tower 20 → back to Tower 14 → continue in the opposite direction to Tower 1 → walk back to the entrance via the trail. This route covers nearly all 22 watchtowers, but bring fit legs.
Route C: Photographer's route
Toboggan/chairlift up to Tower 6 → Tower 8 is the iconic shot (the "dragon-spine" Wall winding into the mountains) → return → cable car down. Two hours total, perfect for drone work (drones are allowed but require registration; banned on no-fly days).
4. Best Time to Visit
- Late April – mid-May: peach blossom and forsythia, 15–22 °C, lush green below the wall.
- Jun–Aug: ~5 °C cooler than the city, occasional thunderstorms. Cloud-sea views after rain are rare and stunning.
- Late September – late October: peak season for looks. Sumac, maple, and smoke tree turn the hillsides green-orange-red — the two weeks photographers wait all year for. Book ahead.
- Dec–Feb: fewest crowds, lowest prices (some cable cars may pause in winter — confirm). The "white dragon" effect after snowfall is genuinely unique, but expect wind chill down to -15 °C.
Best time of day
Crowds peak from 11:00–15:00 (the group-tour rush). The first cable-car run, 7:30–8:30, sees the fewest people, with side-light that's perfect for photos. Can't manage that early? Go up after 14:30 — the afternoon side-light is beautiful for portraits, and most groups have left the wall by 16:00.
5. Secret tips: how to dodge the crowds
- Take the early coach: Klook day tours typically depart central Beijing at 7:00 and arrive at 9:30 — the day's first wave, an hour ahead of the 10:30 group-tour wave.
- Walk the other way: 90% of visitors turn right toward Tower 20 (the highest point), so the 14–20 stretch is busy. Turn left toward Tower 1 instead — often you'll see no one for a kilometre.
- Avoid group-tour peak days: Tuesday and Wednesday are slow tour days. Friday–Sunday + holidays mean "five steps, photo, repeat."
- Stay overnight in Huairou: with time to spare, sleep in Huairou (200+ guesthouses near the wall) and catch the 7:30 first cable car next morning. Completely different experience.
6. Detailed Transport
Central Beijing → Mutianyu
| Option | Time | Cost | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Klook day-tour coach | 2 h | From ¥240 (incl. admission) | ★★★★★ recommended |
| DiDi / taxi | 1.5 h | ¥250–300 one way | ★★★★ flexible |
| Subway + bus | 3 h one way | ¥30 one way | ★★ complicated |
| Train (Beijing North → Huairou) | 1 h train + 1 h transfer | ¥7 + bus | ★★★ value |
Subway + bus details
From Dongzhimen take Bus 916 Express (¥12) → get off at Huairou North Avenue → transfer to H23 or H24 (¥5) to Mutianyu Roundabout → walk or grab a local lift (¥10) to the entrance. Same in reverse for the way back. Cheap, but the last bus runs at 16:30 — miss it and your only option is a taxi back to town (¥350+).
7. How to Save Money
- Children free: under 6 or under 1.2 m enter free (still need a real-name reservation), but cable car is 50% adult fare.
- Student tickets: ¥25 with a full-time student ID.
- Seniors 60+: ¥25 with national ID.
- Beijing parks annual pass not accepted. Mutianyu is in Huairou and not part of Beijing's municipal park system.
- Klook holiday discounts: 10–20% off promotions on the 1st of the month, before festivals, and during 11.11 / 12.12.
8. FAQ
Mutianyu or Badaling?
First-timer not in a rush — Mutianyu (fewer crowds, intact towers, toboggan). Tight on time and want a fast train — Badaling.
How long is the walk?
Cable car up + walk to Tower 20 and back: 1.5 h. Full 5.4 km section: 3–4 h.
How do I get there from Beijing?
Klook day-tour coach is by far the easiest (from ¥240 with admission). On a budget? Bus 916 Express + H23, 3 h one way for ¥30.
Can foreign visitors go?
Of course. Reserve with passport. Klook day tours offer English and Japanese guides.
Family-friendly?
Very. Cable car up + toboggan down is a kids' favourite. Free admission under 1.2 m (cable car half price).
Toilets / food on the Wall?
No toilets on the Wall — only at the entrance area below. Limited and pricey food at the base. Bring water and snacks.
What if it rains?
Light rain — open as usual (mind your footing). Heavy rain, thunderstorms, high wind, or heavy snow will close the cable car and toboggan, and the Wall itself may close. Check the official channel before departure.
Can I fly a drone?
Yes, but you must register and leave a deposit at the entrance. No-fly during major holidays and national events.
9. Combine With Other Activities
Day tours typically return to central Beijing around 16:00 — easy to chain onto:
- 798 Art District: galleries open until 18:00, perfectly on the way back from Mutianyu (798 is in NE Chaoyang, ~30 min drive).
- Sanlitun / Workers' Stadium: dinner + bars.
- Water Cube night view: Friday–Sunday colour light shows.
Got 2 days? Pair Mutianyu day + Forbidden City day — the classic "two World Heritage Sites" Beijing combo. Full guide: Forbidden City →
10. Why Book Through Us
tickets.bj.cn is an independent travel-information portal — we don't sell tickets directly. All transactions go through our partner Klook. Why book your Mutianyu day tour on Klook:
- 15–25% cheaper than local travel agencies;
- English / Chinese / Japanese guides available;
- Free cancellation up to 24 h before departure;
- E-voucher scan-to-board, no printing needed;
- Multi-currency checkout (CNY / HKD / USD / JPY).