Visitor center Longshan, China

Mutianyu Great Wall

Experience the most fully restored and scenic section of the Great Wall of China with seamless ticket booking, toboggan ride passes, and direct round-trip transport.

Private Mutianyu Great Wall Tour with Toboggan Slide Day trip Entry included Private Mutianyu Great Wall Tour with Toboggan Slide 5 ★ from $166 Forbidden City and Panda 2-Week China Tour 13 days Entry included Forbidden City and Panda 2-Week China Tour from $3,654 Beijing 3-Day Family Tour with Airport Transfer 3 days Beijing 3-Day Family Tour with Airport Transfer from $1,367 Forbidden City and Mutianyu Great Wall 9-Hour Tour Day trip Entry included Forbidden City and Mutianyu Great Wall 9-Hour Tour 5 ★ from $312

11 tours from 2 operatorsfrom $141 per person100% free cancellationrated 5.0/5 from 223 reviews

In shortStretching dramatically across the densely forested Huairou hills 73 kilometers northeast of central Beijing, the Mutianyu Great Wall offers the ultimate balance of accessibility, historic preservation, and breathtaking mountain landscapes.

Updated November 12, 2026

Typical visit
3–5 hours (excluding transfer time)
Distance from Beijing
73 km / 45 miles (~1.5 hours by road)
Operating Hours
7:30 AM – 6:00 PM (Apr–Oct) | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Nov–Mar)
Key Highlight
23 Watchtowers & Alpine Toboggan descent
Entry
Included on 5 tours
Typical tour
8.5 hours; 8 day trips

Tours that visit Mutianyu Great Wall

Handpicked guided day tours, small-group bus transfers, and private round-trip chauffeur services straight from your Beijing city hotel.

About Mutianyu Great Wall

Stretching dramatically across the densely forested Huairou hills 73 kilometers northeast of central Beijing, the Mutianyu Great Wall offers the ultimate balance of accessibility, historic preservation, and breathtaking mountain landscapes. Originally built during the Northern Qi Dynasty (550–577) and rebuilt under the Ming Dynasty in 1568, Mutianyu was strategically designed to defend the capital and the imperial tombs from northern nomadic invasions.

Unlike the heavily congested Badaling section, Mutianyu features 23 unique watchtowers spaced closely across its 5.4-kilometer stretch. Built almost entirely from granite, it stands out for its double-sided crenellations, allowing defenders to fire at enemies from both sides of the wall. Whether you choose to ride the scenic cable car up to Tower 14, brave the steep climb to the restored summit at Tower 20, or shoot down the mountain on the famous alpine toboggan track, Mutianyu delivers a world-class Great Wall experience suitable for all ages and fitness levels.

Plan your visit

Insider Tips for Visiting Mutianyu

  • Choose Your Ascent & Descent Wisely: Two separate companies operate transport on the wall. The double-seat open chairlift (up) paired with the alpine toboggan (down) operates near Tower 6. The enclosed, high-speed 8-person cable car operates to and from Tower 14. Tickets are generally non-interchangeable, so decide your route before purchasing.
  • Beating the Crowds: Arrive at the ticket office before 8:30 AM. Tour buses arriving from central Beijing usually hit the main gate between 10:00 AM and 10:30 AM.
  • Trekking to the Wild Wall: Beyond Tower 20 lies the un-restored 'Wild Great Wall' (Jiankou section). While popular with hardcore hikers, passing the barrier at Tower 20 is officially restricted for safety reasons.
  • Navigating the Scenic Area Shuttle: After passing the main visitor center, you must take an official 5-minute internal shuttle bus up to the mountain base before accessing the walking trail, cable car, or chairlift.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to Mutianyu Great Wall from central Beijing without a tour?

You can take the public Express Bus 916 Express (916快) from Dongzhimen Transport Hub to Huairou Beidajie, then transfer to a local huanban bus or taxi for the final 20-minute leg to Mutianyu. Alternatively, book a direct Busda or Mubus hop-on hop-off shuttle from central Beijing (Dongzhimen or Qianmen).

Which is better for children or elderly travelers: the Cable Car or the Chairlift?

The enclosed Cable Car to Tower 14 is fully accessible, smooth, and ideal for seniors, young children, or visitors with mobility restrictions. The Chairlift to Tower 6 is open-air and best suited for thrill-seekers planning to ride the toboggan down.

Can I ride the toboggan in rainy or snowy weather?

No. For safety reasons, the alpine toboggan track shuts down immediately during rain, snow, or high wind conditions. If closed, toboggan ticket holders can take the open-air chairlift down instead.

Do I need my physical passport at the entrance?

Yes. China uses a real-name ticketing system. You must present the physical passport used during online booking to scan through the turnstiles at both the shuttle bus and wall entrance gates.

How much does a tour of Mutianyu Great Wall cost?

On TripWays, tours that visit Mutianyu Great Wall range from $141 to $3,999 per person, and half of them cost $257 or less (prices as of November 12, 2026). Tours of a day or less start at $141; multi-day tours start at $1,367.

How long are tours that visit Mutianyu Great Wall?

Half of the tours that visit Mutianyu Great Wall last 8.5 hours or less. By length: 4 hours to 1 day: 8; 2–3 days: 1; 8 days or more: 2.

Can I cancel a tour of Mutianyu Great Wall for free?

11 of 11 tours that visit Mutianyu Great Wall (100%) offer free cancellation. The exact deadline is shown on each tour page before you pay.

Can a solo traveler book a tour of Mutianyu Great Wall?

Yes: all 11 tours that visit Mutianyu Great Wall can be booked for one person.

11 tours from $141
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