Best Way to Reach Mutianyu: Cable Car, Chairlift, Slide, or Hike

Welcome to the Mutianyu Great Wall — where ancient stone winds through deep green hills and history whispers on the breeze.

If you’re wondering about the best way to reach Mutianyu Great Wall, you’re not alone. Tucked away in Beijing’s countryside, this quieter, less-crowded section of the Wall offers several ways to ascend — each with its own charm.

Will you float up in a cable car, breeze through the treetops on a chairlift, hike through forested paths, or take the famous toboggan slide back down like a kid on holiday?

Each route offers a different kind of experience — some peaceful, others thrilling. And choosing the right one can shape how you remember your Great Wall adventure.

In this story, I’ll share my own journey and break down each option to help you decide the best way to reach the Mutianyu Great Wall — whether you’re chasing views, adventure, or a quiet walk through history. No matter which way you go, getting there is half the magic.

1. Which Way Up and down? Comparing the Best Way to Reach Mutianyu Great Wall

Before I arrived, I kept asking myself: What’s the best way to reach Mutianyu Great Wall? The answer depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for — relaxed, scenic, adventurous, or all three.

There are four main ways up (and down): cable car, chairlift, hike, or a combo with the slide.

Location Map: cable car, chairlift, hike, and slide at Mutianyu Great Wall

The cable car (￥140 round trip) takes just 6 minutes to reach Tower 14. It’s fully enclosed, smooth, and great for families or anyone who wants a no-stress ride.

The chairlift (￥140 round trip) reaches Tower 6 in about 12 minutes. It’s open-air, with incredible 360° views over the mountains.

Want to hike? From the north gate, it’s about 40 minutes on foot — and free! The stone steps wind through a shady forest, peaceful and rewarding.

Now for the fun part: the toboggan slide (￥100 one way). You control your speed as you twist down the mountain from Tower 6. I felt like a kid again.

You can mix and match too — like cable car up + slide down (￥200), or chairlift up + slide down (￥140).

💡Just note:
The cable car and chairlift/slide are run by different companies. Round-trip with the same company is cheaper. The combo of chairlift up + slide down is cheaper (￥140 ）than that of cable car up + slide down (￥200) simply becuase the chairlifts and slides are run by the same company, different from the company which runs the cable car.

1) Get Up to Mutianyu Great Wall by Cable Car: Fast, Easy & Scenic

If you’re short on time or traveling with family, this might be the best way to reach Mutianyu Great Wall.

I chose the cable car on my first visit. I had my parents with me, and we didn’t want to hike in the heat. It turned out to be perfect.

We stepped into a glass cabin at the base. As it lifted off, the forest dropped away beneath us. The cabin floated slowly, almost silently, above a sea of green. In every direction, mountains rolled like waves.

In just six minutes, we reached Tower 14 — right in the middle of the most scenic stretch. From there, it was easy to explore in both directions without wearing ourselves out.

This route is great for families with kids or elderly travelers. It’s also ideal for photographers who want to save energy for those postcard shots.

Safe, smooth, and surprisingly peaceful — the cable car gave us more time and strength to enjoy the wall itself.

If comfort and convenience matter, or if you’re on a tight schedule, this could be the best way to get up to Mutianyu Great Wall.

2) Floating Through the Pines: Taking the Chairlift to Mutianyu Great Wall

Up to Mutianyu Great Wall by chairlift — Up to Mutianyu by chairlift

The second time I visited Mutianyu, I wanted something different. I didn’t get up to the Mutianyu Great Wall by cable car this time. Instead, I went for the open-air chairlift — and wow, what a ride.

As I sat down, the bar clicked in place. My feet dangled in the breeze. The forest dropped away below me. I felt like I was flying — slowly drifting above a sea of trees, the Great Wall rising in the distance.

This is the best way to reach Mutianyu Great Wall if you love a little thrill. Perfect for adventurous souls, romantic couples, or anyone who wants to feel the mountain wind on their face.

The ride lasts around 12 minutes and ends at Tower 6, one of the most photogenic spots. I snapped a dozen photos before my shoes even touched the ground.

If you’re wondering how to get up to Mutianyu Great Wall by chairlift, I say: go for it. It turns a simple ascent into a memory.

3) Zooming Through the Trees: Get Down Mutianyu Great Wall by Slide

After walking the Wall under the sun, I wanted a fun way down. So I chose the slide — and loved it.

From Tower 6, I climbed into a small cart. A staff member gave me quick instructions: push forward to go faster, pull back to slow down. Simple enough.

And then I was off.

The track twisted through the forest, curving between trees and dipping with the slope. I felt the wind on my face, the thrill in my chest. It was fast, but I could control the speed. That made it feel fun, not scary.

It’s easily the best way to get down from Mutianyu Great Wall if you want something different — especially for kids, young travelers, or just the young at heart.

At the bottom, I couldn’t stop smiling. It turned the descent into an experience of its own.

Just a heads-up: they pause operations on rainy days, and you do need to follow safety rules. But if the weather’s clear? Get down Mutianyu Great Wall by slide. It’s part ride, part memory.

4) Step by Step Through the Forest: Hike Up Mutianyu Great Wall

The first time I decided to hike up to Mutianyu Great Wall, I wasn’t sure what to expect. No lifts. No shortcuts. Just my legs and a winding stone path through the woods.

The trail begins at the north ticket entrance. Right away, the world gets quiet. No crowds. Just pine trees, stone steps, birdsong, and the crunch of stone underfoot.

I walked slowly up each step. Not because it was too hard, but because I wanted to soak it all in. The smell of damp earth and stone steps, the whisper of wind in the trees — it felt like stepping back in time.

About 40 minutes later, I reached the Tower 8 at the wall . Or you can get up to the Tower 10 if you choose another trail at the fork on the slope. Sweaty, happy, and deeply present.

If you’re looking for the best way to get up to Mutianyu Great Wall for a deeper connection, this is it. It’s perfect for outdoor lovers, hikers, or anyone who wants to feel every step of the journey.

You don’t just arrive. You earn your first view. And that makes it unforgettable.

5) My Favorite Combos: The Best Way to Reach and Get Down from Mutianyu Great Wall

Can’t decide how to go up or down? I’ve tried two popular combos — both offer the perfect mix of ease and fun.

The first time, I went with the cable car up and the slide down (¥200 total). It might be the best way to reach Mutianyu Great Wall if you want comfort and stunning views. The cable car took me straight to Tower 14, high and central. From there, I wandered westward, then slowly made my way down to Tower 6 — just in time for the slide!

Flying through the trees on the way down was the perfect finish.

Another day, I chose the chairlift up and the slide down (¥140 total). This option felt playful from start to end. I rode up with my feet swinging over the forest, landed at Tower 6, then picked a direction and explored. I never had to backtrack — and the slide still gave me that thrilling ride to the bottom.

Both combos work beautifully. If you’re asking yourself the best way to get down from Mutianyu Great Wall, add the toboggan slide. It turns your exit into an adventure.

2) Final Tips: Making the Most of Your Trip to Mutianyu

If you’re planning the best way to get up and down Mutianyu Great Wall, a few small things can make a big difference.

First, arrive early. I got there by 8:30 a.m. and beat the crowds. The wall felt almost mine for a while — quiet, peaceful, perfect for photos.

If you’re hiking, wear shoes with grip. The steps get slippery, especially after rain. And don’t forget water. I underestimated how much I’d sweat on the way up.

Thinking of the slide? You’ll need to be at least 1.4 meters tall, and kids must ride with an adult. Chairlifts and slides may pause for strong wind or rain, so check the weather before you go.

Want to save money? Buy round-trip tickets from the same company. Combo options like one-way cable car up and slide down are fun, but cost more.
Note: Chairlift + slide Combo is cheaper due to the same company management.

At night, if you visit Mutianyu (Night Tour only in summer), there are no chairlifts or slides available — only the cable car operates for going up and down.

My best advice? Pick your route based on your energy and mood that day. Whether you hike, ride, or slide, there’s no single best way to get up and down Mutianyu Great Wall — just the one that fits you.

So take a deep breath. Pick your route. And start walking toward something ancient, beautiful, and unforgettable.

Your Great Wall adventure is waiting.