Lei Li
Quick Look – What's Inside
I've been guiding groups to the Mutianyu section for over seven years. And every single time, someone shows up with a plan they copied from a five-year-old blog post. Result? They end up stuck in a three-hour traffic jam or pay triple for a taxi that drops them at the wrong gate. Let me save you that headache.
Mutianyu is less crowded than Badaling, but that doesn't mean it's easy to reach. The roads twist, the bus signs are in Chinese, and your international credit card? Worthless at the ticket booth. Here's the cold truth: the best way to get to Mutianyu Great Wall depends on your time, budget, and tolerance for hassle.
The Biggest Mistake You'll Make
Thinking you can just show up and figure it out. Nope. Most foreign tourists book a ride via a hotel concierge or call a Didi without checking the return situation. They end up stranded at the base because no taxi wants to wait two hours for you to hike back. Plan ahead, or pay the price.
Option 1: Private Transfer (My Pick for Most People)
If you're traveling with two or more people, or you just want zero stress, this is the way. I book my clients through Viator or Klook – both are reliable. Costs around 600–800 RMB round-trip (US$85–110) for a car that seats 3–4. Driver picks you up at your hotel, drops you at the ticket entrance, and waits while you hike. The key: make sure the driver speaks basic English or shows a sign with your name. I once had a client whose driver spoke zero English and dropped them at the wrong parking lot – took 30 minutes to find each other.
Option 2: Bus 916 + Shuttle (The Budget Hero)
For solo travelers or those on a tight budget, this is your route. Total cost: about 12 RMB (US$1.70) per person one way. But it takes at least 2.5 hours each way, and you need patience.
Step-by-Step (Yes, It's a Pain)
- Step 1: Take Subway Line 2 to Dongzhimen Station, exit B. Walk to the Dongzhimen Bus Hub.
- Step 2: Find Bus 916 (快, express). It leaves every 15 minutes. Tell the conductor “Mutianyu” – they'll nod. The ride is about 1.5 hours to Huairou Beidajie.
- Step 3: Get off at Huairou Beidajie stop. Don't trust random touts offering rides. Walk to the nearby bus stop for H23 or H24 bus – these go directly to Mutianyu Great Wall. The bus comes every 30 minutes, takes 40 minutes.
- Step 4: At the final stop, you'll see a free shuttle bus to the ticket entrance. Or walk 1 km uphill (I don't recommend it).
Sounds exhausting? It is. I've done it twice. The locals on the bus are usually helpful, but rarely speak English. Have your destination written in Chinese: 慕田峪长城.
Option 3: Taxi / Ride-Hailing Apps
Didi is China's Uber. Download the app, add your credit card (or use Alipay). A one-way trip from central Beijing (e.g. Wangfujing) to Mutianyu costs about 250–350 RMB. But here's the catch: getting a return ride is near impossible. Drivers won't wait, and there's no Didi queue at the wall. My advice: negotiate with your driver at the start. Offer 500–600 RMB for a round-trip with waiting time. Most will agree if you show cash. But be clear on how many hours – 4 hours is usually enough for a hike up and down.
Option 4: Tour Bus (For the Truly Lazy)
Many hostels and hotels offer group tours. Prices range 300–500 RMB per person, including transport, guide, and sometimes lunch. The bus leaves at 7 AM, returns at 4 PM. It's convenient but rushed – you get exactly 2.5 hours at the wall, which is barely enough to hike to the highest watchtower. Plus you'll be herded with 40 other tourists. Use it only if you're absolutely time-pressed and don't mind crowds.
Tickets & Timing – Don't Get Stuck
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Adult ticket | 45 RMB (US$6.30) |
| Child (1.2–1.4m) | 25 RMB |
| Senior (65+ with ID) | Free |
| Opening hours (Apr–Oct) | 7:30–18:00 (last entry 17:00) |
| Opening hours (Nov–Mar) | 8:00–17:00 (last entry 16:00) |
| Cable car (one way) | 100 RMB |
| Cable car (round trip) | 120 RMB |
| Toboggan ride down | 100 RMB |
Important: You can only buy tickets on-site cash or via WeChat. No credit cards. Bring enough cash (about 300 RMB per person covers ticket, cable car, and snacks). The ticket office often has long lines – arrive before 8:30 AM to avoid peak crowding (10–12 AM).
Best time to visit? 4 PM in autumn (Oct–Nov) or early morning (7:30 AM) in summer. The light is gorgeous, and you'll have sections of the wall to yourself. Avoid Chinese national holidays (Golden Week in October, Labor Day in May) – the wall becomes a human river.
I'm a budget traveler and this article's public transit route saved me a ton of cash. Did the bus + shuttle combo for under 30 RMB total. The only catch: the last shuttle back leaves at 5pm sharp and if you miss it, taxis will charge you an arm and a leg. I almost got stuck but sprinted down the wall. The walking stick rental at the base was a wise 5 RMB — made the steep sections way easier. If you're fit and want an affordable trip, this is gold. 5 stars, just don't dawdle on the wall!
This article is a lifesaver! We booked the bus tour mentioned (the one with the early bird ticket) and it was perfect. Our guide gave us insider tips on which watchtowers to hike first to avoid crowds. The weather was clear, we saw hawks circling above the wall, and the wildflowers were blooming along the paths. The local lunch spot the guide recommended was cheap and delicious. Everything went like clockwork. Best day of our trip — seriously, book this route!
Honestly, I followed the article’s advice and took the 916快 bus, but the transfer to the shuttle was a nightmare. The driver dropped us at a random stop and we had to ask locals to find the right minibus. Then the ticket office line took 45 minutes. The Great Wall itself is incredible — no complaints there — but getting there was stressful. The article makes it sound easy, but it’s not that straightforward for first-timers. Maybe consider a private car if you don’t want the hassle. 3 stars for transport info.
Used the article's suggestion to take the bus from Beijing and it worked fine, but the signs at the shuttle stop near Mutianyu village were a bit confusing. Almost missed the small bus that takes you up the hill. The wall itself was amazing — not too crowded, lots of original stone steps. The cable car was quick and the views from the top were stunning. Just wish the article had mentioned that the restrooms at the bottom are clean but the ones near the wall are basic. 4 stars, still a great day trip!
Just got back from Mutianyu and honestly, the article's tips saved me. Took the direct bus from Dongzhimen (the 916快 then a shuttle) — super smooth, no haggling with taxi drivers. The early-start advice was spot-on: arrived by 8:30am and had the wall almost to myself for an hour. The toboggan ride down is an absolute must, and the views from the watchtowers were breathtaking. If you're debating which section to visit, this is the one. 5 stars for the route guide alone!
This was my third trip to the Great Wall and Mutianyu is by far the best. We rented a car from our Airbnb and drove up – parking was easy and cheap. The walk from the gate to the cable car is short but scenic. The wall itself is incredibly well restored – you can picture the soldiers standing guard. Brought a picnic and sat on a tower watching the clouds roll over the hills. Perfect day.
Took the public bus 916 from Dongzhmen then a local minibus – cheap but took 3 hours one way because of traffic. The wall itself is stunning, less crowded than Badaling, but the constant hawking by souvenir sellers on the way back really wore me down. Also, the bus back was crammed and no AC – felt like a sardine. Great views, frustrating journey.
Did the Hiking China group tour – left at 6:30 AM, avoided all the traffic. Our guide Jenny was amazing, shared history and pointed out the best photo spots. The wild section past tower 20 is steep but gave me chills – pure ancient vibes. Only reason not a 5: the lunch they included was bland and overpriced. Still, the day was unforgettable.
Went on a Saturday with a private driver (booked through my hotel). Zero hassle, about 90 mins from Chaoyang. The toboggan slide down was worth every yuan – what a rush! Only complaint: the bathroom near the parking lot was pretty rough, so plan ahead. Crowds were manageable if you go early. Definitely the best section I've visited.
Took the bus from Dongzhmen – the M2 express was super easy to find. Got there by 8:30 and had the wall almost to myself. The mist was just lifting over the towers – absolutely magical. The cable car up saved my knees, and walking from tower 14 to 6 gave the best views. Insider tip: bring snacks, the food stalls at the base are overpriced and meh. 10/10 would do again!