Plan your Mutianyu Great Wall Tour? Mutianyu Great Wall is one of the most beautiful and well-preserved sections of the Great Wall of China. Located about 80 kilometers northeast of Beijing, it offers breathtaking views and a rich historical experience.
For foreign tourists planning to visit Mutianyu Great Wall from downtown Beijing, this “How to Get to Mutianyu Great Wall” guide provides all the necessary information to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey.
For Night Tour of Mutianyu, please check out Mutianyu Great Wall Night Tour.
Eight Options for Mutianyu Great Wall
1. By MUBUS ( 慕巴士 ) with English Service
Traveling with Mubus guarantees a seamless and enjoyable experience, offering a range of exclusive benefits. Enjoy VIP entry access to avoid long lines, and have plenty of time to explore the Great Wall at your own pace.
With convenient logistical support throughout the trip, the MUBUS ensure a smooth journey from start to finish. No shopping stops, so you can focus entirely on the experience.
Ticketing method
1) booking through Mobus official website
2) Email: [email protected]
3) WeChat Contact:
Scan this QR code on WeChat to directly chat with the customer service.
Service Time: 7:00AM-10:00PM
Bus Departure Information
- Departure Time: 8:00 AM
- Meeting Point: Subway Dongzhimen Station, Exit B
- Chinese Address: 东直门地铁站B口
How to Reach and Board the Mubus:
- Take Subway Line 2 or Line 13 and get off at Dongzhimen Station.
- Head to Exit B, which is the meeting point.
- Look for the friendly staff wearing red Mubus vests—they will guide you to the check-in area.
- After check-in, you will be directed to the Mubus boarding area.
Kind Reminder:
1) Please arrive at least 10 minutes before departure to ensure a smooth boarding process.
2) Please note that Ruqin China Travel is not affiliated with MUBUS. This information is provided for your reference.
2. Beijing Hub of Tour Dispatch at Qianmen
北京旅游集散中心（前门）
Departure Point: Distribution Center Bus Tour Line at Qianmen Street. Here is the route for taking the subway to the Qianmen Tourist Distribution Center:
Take Subway Line 2: From various directions in Beijing, you can get off at Qianmen Station. Exit from Exit C and walk about 200 meters to reach the Qianmen Tourist Distribution Center (Roadside Shuttle Bus Parking Area).
The buses depart from Qianmen Station between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM, with multiple departures. Buses leave as soon as they are full (during peak season, buses depart every 15 minutes; during off-peak season, departures are about every 30 minutes).
The bus ride takes about 90 minutes and passengers arrive at the Park Lot No.4 in the Mutianyu Great Wall scenic area. So you don’t have to pay 15 yuan to take the shuttle bus from the ticketing office to the parking lot. But you still need to walk from the parking lot for about 600 meters up to the cable car station, a bit touch for wheelchair users!
The return bus departs from the Parking Lot No.4 at Mutianyu between 13:00 and 16:00. The return bus has two stops: the first stop is at the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube (Olympic Park), and the second stop is back at Qianmen Station.
Ticket sales: Qianmen Distribution Center on-site ticket sales; Beijing Tourism Distribution Center wechat account booking.
Bus Fare: RMB 80 / one way
Note:
1) Kids under 12 without seats are free of charge
2) The bus staff provides ticketing services for the Mutianyu Great Wall, including entrance tickets and options for the cable car, chairlift, or slide.
For more information, call 010-83531111
The above content is for reference only, the specific information is subject to the Qianmen distribution Center.
3. 916 Express Bus at Dongzhimen Traffic Hub (东直门交通枢纽）+ H23 & 33 Local Bus
Bus boarding point in Dongzhimen Traffic Hub (东直门交通枢纽). Tourists take 916 Express Bus in Dongzhimen, get off at the North Street Station ( 北大街）in Huairou District；it takes about two hours to get to Huairou District. Bus one-way fare is 12 yuan.
Then walk to the opposite station waiting for H23 bus, H23 is Huairou District branch line, about 30-40 minutes for one bus. Take this bus about 40 minutes for 5 yuan, you can reach the Mutianyu Ring Island from Huairou North Street, Then walk to the Mutianyu Great Wall. The total bus time is about 3 hours, which is a long time.
So totally it takes about 3 hours to get from Dongzhimen Traffic Hub to the Mutianyu Great Wall, much longer than the marked time shown on the map above.
Note: It is a breeze to get to the Dongzhimen Traffic Hub (东直门交通枢纽) by subway. Get off at the Dongzhimen Station and exit from Exit F ( see the Map above ).
4. Beijing Suburban Train + Shuttle Bus
One of the leisure ways is to take Beijing’s Suburban Train Line S5 (北京市郊铁路） morning train. First, you can take the early morning train from Beijing North Railway Station to Huirou North Railway Station ( Huairou District).
The journey typically takes one and haf hours, providing a scenic and comfortable ride through the outskirts of Beijing and into the countryside.
Here is the major train timetable for the Beijing North Station to Huairou North Station route on the Huairou-Miyun suburban railway line S5 (怀柔-密云线）：
| Route | Train | Departure Time | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing North Station → Huairou North Station | S501 | 06:55 | 08:18 |
| Beijing North Station → Huairou North Station | S511 | 10:03 | 11:44 |
| Beijing North Station → Huairou North Station | S503 | 14:20 | 15:45 |
| Beijing North Station → Huairou North Station | S513 | 18:15 | 20:02 |
| Huairou North Station → Beijing North Station | S512 | 7:01 | 08:38 |
| Huairou North Station → Beijing North Station | S516 | 11:35 | 12:58 |
| Huairou North Station → Beijing North Station | S514 | 16:36 | 17:37 |
| Huairou North Station → Beijing North Station | S518 | 18:46 | 20:12 |
Kind reminder: The Beijing Suburban Train operates like the subway, and its entrance is separate from the main Beijing North Railway Station. Please avoid entering Beijing North Railway Station for a security check. Instead, access the Beijing Suburban Train through the entrance located next to McDonald’s, in the underground area connected to Subway Lines 2, 4, and 13.
Huairou North Station has introduced a direct shuttle bus to the Mutianyu Great Wall. Passengers can take the Huai-mi suburban railway line to Huairou North Station, where they can easily transfer to the dedicated Mutianyu shuttle bus. This convenient route offers a direct journey to the Great Wall, allowing travelers to enjoy stunning scenery along the way.
Kind Reminder:
1) During the off-season, you may need to take a taxi from Huairou Railway Station to Mutianyu, as the shuttle bus may not be available.
2) Some trains only make a brief stop at Huairou North Railway Station. Be sure not to miss it—Huairou North Station is your destination,but may not the final stop of the train.
5. By BUSDA ( 巴士达 )
On the basis of years of experience in the tourism industry, BUSDA launched the Great Wall shuttle bus in 2019, The BUSDA plans a mature itinerary with a semi-self-service travel method, and provides more intimate and unique services.
Visitors can first gather at Exit B of Heping Xiqiao Subway Station (和平西桥地铁站B口处集合) to wait for departure, which is close to the highway, and you can enter the highway in 5 minutes after getting on the train to avoid congestion in Beijing.
With four departure times (8am / 9am / 10am / 12am), visitors have a more flexible schedule. After arriving at the scenic area, the shuttle bus will leave you enough time to visit the scenic area, allowing you to enjoy the Mutianyu Great Wall for 5 hours.
Tickets: adults 80 yuan/person, 0-3 years old tickets free, and 4-10 years old tickets half price.
For more information, call: 13051039503
6. Taxi to Mutinayu Great Wall
Hailing a taxi in downtown Beijing is easy. You can find taxis at major hotels, tourist spots, or simply flag one down on the street. Ensure the driver uses the meter, or agree on a fare before starting the trip.
The taxi ride to Mutianyu Great Wall takes about 1.5 hours, depending on traffic. The cost ranges from 300 to 500 RMB one way. It’s a comfortable option, but make sure the driver understands your destination clearly.
Having the destination written in Chinese characters can be helpful. “Mutianyu Great Wall” in Chinese is “慕田峪长城”. Showing this to the driver ensures you’re headed to the right place.
7. Private Car to Mutianyu
Booking a private car is another excellent option. Many companies offer car rental services with drivers who speak English. You can book online or through your hotel.
With a private car, you can customize your itinerary. You can decide the departure time, route, and even make stops along the way. This flexibility is ideal for those who prefer a personalized experience.
Private cars provide the utmost comfort and convenience. The driver picks you up from your hotel and takes you directly to Mutianyu. The journey is usually quicker and more relaxed compared to public transport.
The cost of hiring a private car ranges from 600 to 1000 RMB for a round trip. While it’s the most expensive option, the benefits often outweigh the cost, especially for families or small groups.
8. Organized Tours
Booking a Tour
Organized tours are popular among foreign tourists. Many travel agencies in Beijing offer tours to Mutianyu Great Wall. You can book these tours online, through your hotel, or at travel agencies.
What’s Included
Most tours include round-trip transportation, entrance tickets, and a guide. Some even include meals and additional stops at other attractions. Prices vary, but typically range from 400 to 800 RMB per person.
Advantages of Tours
Tours are convenient and informative. The guide provides historical context and interesting facts about the Great Wall. Additionally, you don’t need to worry about transportation logistics. Everything is arranged for you.
Buying Tickets to Mutianyu Great Wall
Entrance Fee:
Adults: 45 yuan
Students (with valid student ID): 25 yuan
Children (1.2 – 1.4 meters in height): 25 yuan
Children (below 1.2 meters in height): Free of charge
Cable Car:
One-way: 100 yuan; Round-trip: 120 yuan
Chairlift & Toboggan:
One-way: 100 yuan; Round-trip: 120 yuan
Cable Car Up & Toboggan Down:
Combination: 200 yuan (100 yuan each)
Shuttle Bus:
15 yuan for the shuttle bus from the ticket office to the parking lot, where you still need to walk for 400-600 meters to reach the starting points ( hiking up the Wall, chairlift, or the cable car station.).
Opening Hours
April to October: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
November to March: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Important Information
Ticketing Options for Cable Car and Chairlift: The cable car and chairlift (toboggan) are operated by separate companies, with tickets sold at the same ticketing window but purchased separately.
Round-trip tickets are generally cheaper than buying two one-way tickets. However, if you plan to take the cable car up and the toboggan down, you’ll need to purchase two one-way tickets (one from each company) since they are run by different companies.
A round-trip ticket is available if you plan to use the same transport method for both directions (e.g., chairlift up + toboggan down).
How to Visit Mutianyu Great Wall
The Mutianyu Great Wall stretches for approximately 3,000 meters with 20 watch towers, spaced at short intervals along the ridge. The towers are numbered from east (right) to west (left), with the 20th tower marking the Wall’s highest point at Mutianyu).
So roughly the Mutianyu Great Wall can be divided into three sections: East, Middle and West. The Chairlift reaches the area below the 6th Watch Tower ( East Section ); Hiking up the stone steps (a 30-minute hike) leads to the 8th or 10th Watch Tower (Middle Section ); The Cable Car reaches the area below the 14th Watch Tower (West Section).
The Cable Car reaches the area below the 14th Watch Tower.
The Chairlift reaches the area below the 6th Watch Tower ( you can slide down by toboggan, they are the same company).
Hiking up the stone steps (a 30-minute hike) leads to the 8th or 10th Watch Tower.
Consider your route beforehand, as each option has its own ticketing structure.
Mutianyu Great Wall Accessible Travel Guide
Mutianyu Great Wall offers accessibility for wheelchair users, making it a great destination for disabled tourists. However, unlike the Badaling Great Wall, Mutianyu sits high on a mountain ridge. First, you must either climb up or take a cable car to reach the wall.
After arriving at the Mutianyu parking lot via the ferry shuttle bus, you’ll need to push your wheelchair about 600 meters along an uneven but accessible stone path to reach the cable car station. This path can be challenging, so be prepared for a bit of a workout.
After reaching the top by cable car, you’ll encounter one more challenge: a steep, 80-meter ramp leading to the platform below the 14th watchtower. This section requires careful footing, but the effort is well worth it, as it opens up to stunning views of the Great Wall.
Wheelchair users can take the cable car and then use the accessible lane to reach the viewing platform near the 14th watchtower. This area offers one of the best views of Mutianyu Great Wall, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all visitors.
The Mutianyu Great Wall is not just a monument but a living testament to China’s enduring strength and architectural ingenuity. Its location outside Beijing makes choosing the right transportation crucial for a comfortable journey. Opting for a tourist bus or shuttle service is recommended for efficiency and convenience.
This detailed ”How to Get to Mutianyu Great Wall Travel Tips” guide ensures that your visit to the Mutianyu Great Wall is not only enjoyable but also steeped in the rich history and breathtaking landscapes that this iconic landmark. Should you have any inquiries, our lines are always open for assistance.
More Great Wall of China Travel Guide
Explore the Great Wall of China Travel Guide for tips on the best sections to visit, essential hiking routes, seasonal highlights, and travel insights for a memorable experience. Discover iconic spots like Mutianyu, Badaling, and Juyongguan, along with hidden gems, nearby attractions, and practical advice for making the most of your journey along this world wonder.
