The Mutianyu Great Wall Guide
The Mutianyu Great Wall is located in Bohai Town, Huairou District, Beijing, about 70 kilometers from the city center. It is said that "Among the Great Wall, Mutianyu stands out alone." Here, the watchtowers are dense, the terrain is beautifully undulating, and the vegetation coverage is very high. There are far fewer tourists than at Badaling, making it less crowded for photos and more comfortable for climbing. It is also a favorite section of the Great Wall for many foreign visitors. The movie "If You Are the One 2" was filmed here. It is suitable for families, elderly visitors, and hiking enthusiasts alike.
🕘 Opening Hours
Peak Season (April 1 - October 30): Weekdays 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM, Weekends / Holidays 7:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Off-Season (November 1 - March 30 next year): 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Ticket sales stop 1 hour before closing; ticket checking stops 30 minutes before closing
Recommended visit time: Pure sightseeing 3-4 hours; including round-trip transportation, allow a full day
💴 Ticket Prices
Adult ticket: 45 RMB (does not include shuttle bus, cable car / gondola)
Discount ticket: Half price for students / seniors over 60; free for Chinese minors under 18 (must be accompanied by an adult)
Mandatory shuttle bus: 15 RMB per person (from the main gate to the foot of the Great Wall, must take)
Cable car / gondola: Enclosed cable car (to Watchtower 14) one-way 100 RMB, round-trip 140 RMB; open gondola + slide (to Watchtower 6) same price
Ticket purchase tips: All tickets must be booked online in advance via the official mini program; enter the park by scanning your ID card, no ticket exchange needed
⛺ Activities & Routes
1. Core transportation options (must choose, saves a lot of effort)
Enclosed cable car (North ticket gate): Direct to Watchtower 14, smooth panoramic ride, suitable for elderly, children, and those who get tired easily
Gondola + slide (South ticket gate): Gondola up to Watchtower 6, 1580-meter slide down, controllable speed, exciting and fun, family-friendly
Pure hiking: Many steps, physically demanding, suitable for those with good stamina who want an in-depth visit, about 2 hours uphill
2. Three classic routes (choose based on stamina)
Easy family route (2.5-3 hours): Cable car round-trip to Watchtower 14 → walk west to Watchtower 15 (filming location of "If You Are the One") → Watchtowers 16-20 (highest point, Hero Slope) → return the same way
Highlights: Gentle terrain, widest views, check in at Hero Slope, panoramic photo spots, no pressure for elderly and children
Exciting experience route (3-3.5 hours): Gondola up to Watchtower 6 → walk east to Watchtowers 1-6 (Zhengguan Platform, Dajiao Tower) → walk west to Watchtowers 14-20 → slide down
Highlights: Take gondola and slide once, visit the essence of both east and west sections, many unique photo spots
Deep hiking route (4-5 hours): Hike uphill → Watchtower 6 → visit all Watchtowers 1-20 → cable car / slide down
Highlights: Check in at Zhengguan Platform (three watchtowers standing together), Niujijiao Edge, Eagle Flying Backbend, and other thrilling views
3. Must-visit spots
Watchtower 14: Hero Stone, panoramic platform, prime photo spot
Watchtower 15: Filming location of "If You Are the One 2," Wishing Tree
Watchtower 20 (Hero Slope): Highest point, overlooks mountains, perfect for silhouette photos
Watchtower 4 (Zhengguan Platform): Mutianyu landmark, three watchtowers connected, rare architecture
🚌 Transportation Guide
1. Convenient and time-saving: Tourist direct bus
Meet at city subway station, direct one-stop, includes shuttle bus, round-trip about 80 RMB per person, 1.5 hours travel, ticket purchase assistance, no shopping stops
Departure: 8:00 AM / 10:00 AM, return 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM, suitable for independent travelers and families
2. Private and comfortable: Chartered car / private car (one group per car)
Pickup and drop-off at hotels within the Fifth Ring Road, direct to the scenic area, no carpooling, flexible timing, includes car fee / fuel / parking, no hidden charges
Suitable for families with children, elderly, small groups who want to decide their own schedule
3. Self-driving
Navigate to "Mutianyu Great Wall," about 1.5 hours via Jingcheng Expressway, parking fee about 20 RMB/day, ample parking spaces
4. Public transportation (cheaper but time-consuming)
From Dongzhimen take bus 916 Express → Huairou Beidajie → transfer to H23/H24 to the scenic area, about 2.5 hours total, suitable for budget travelers
👉 Itinerary & Surroundings
One-day classic tour
Morning: Depart → Arrive → Take cable car / gondola up the Great Wall → Visit west section Watchtowers 14-20
Noon: Light meal on the Great Wall / restaurants inside the scenic area (Youshunju, Subway, Xianlaoman, etc.)
Afternoon: Summer Palace
Accommodation Recommendations
Mutianyu Great Wall Hotel: Inside the scenic area, 5-minute walk to the entrance, Great Wall view from the window
Wachang Hotel: Boutique guesthouse, strong design sense, has hot springs, about 1.6 km from the scenic area
Village guesthouses: Cost-effective, authentic farmhouse cuisine, 10-minute walk to the scenic area
Food
Inside the scenic area: Mainly fast food and light meals
Surroundings: Huairou specialty dishes (rainbow trout, chestnut chicken stew, farmhouse stews), authentic farmhouse flavors at the foot of the Great Wall
🧡 Preparation Before the Trip
Clothing: Wear non-slip sports shoes, steps are steep and uneven; the Great Wall is windy, bring a light jacket; sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen), little shade
Items: Power bank, some snacks + water (expensive on the mountain), ID card (must bring for entry), rain gear (check weather)
Stamina: Elderly / children choose cable car round-trip; avoid peak hours 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM; slide closed on rainy days, choose cable car
Others: Buy tickets online in advance; go early in peak season to avoid crowds
Other visitors' reviews of Mutianyu Great Wall
Show More Reviews“Fantastic experience! Comfortable rooms, tasty food, and great customer service.”