Must-have tips before going to Mutianyu Great Wall
The Mutianyu Great Wall requires hiking in many places, so it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes, and there are steep uphill slopes, check the weather forecast in advance, as it is dangerous to travel in bad weather areas.
To access the current live streaming screen of Mutianyu Great Wall, please click https://en.mutianyugreatwall.com/zhibo
Mutianyu Great Wall is located in Mutianyu Village, Huairou District, 70 kilometers from the center of Beijing, about an hour and a half drive from downtown Beijing. It is bordered by Gubeikou in the east, Huanghuacheng and Badaling in the west, and far away from Juyongguan, Zijingguan and Yimaguan. The Mutianyu Great Wall is strategically located and is the most well-preserved and representative section of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall of China. It served as a military barrier to protect the capital and the imperial tombs and has always been a contested area for military purposes.
The architectural style of the Mutianyu Great Wall is unique. For example, there are three towers standing side by side at the main pass, forming a central watchtower, which is rare in the Great Wall section. In the northwest, there are the famous Great Wall landscapes of Arrow Valley and Eagle Flying Inversion. The terrain is steep and steep, rolling, like a soaring dragon. In spring, the mountains are full of flowers; in summer, they are lush and green with flowing water; in fall, the mountains are full of red leaves and fruits; in winter, they are snow-covered with white snow, making the northern scenery picturesque. The Mutianyu Great Wall is famous both at home and abroad, and is regarded as the best part of the Great Wall of China.
Mutianyu Great Wall Ticket Prices
| Ticket | Adult(18 – 60 years old) | Child(6 – 18 years old) | Senior(over 60 years old) |
| Main Entrance | CNY 40 | CNY 20 | CNY 20 |
| Shuttle bus (single way) | CNY 10 | CNY 10 | CNY 10 |
| Shuttle bus (round way) | CNY 15 | CNY 15 | CNY 15 |
| Cable car (one way) | CNY 100 | CNY 100 | CNY 100 |
| Cable car (round way) | CNY 140 | CNY 140 | CNY 140 |
| Chairlift | CNY 100 | CNY 100 | CNY 100 |
| Toboggan | CNY 100 | CNY 100 | CNY 100 |
| Chairlift + Tobbogan | CNY 140 | CNY 140 | CNY 140 |
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday: 07:30-18:00
Saturday and Sunday: 07:30-18:30
Ticket sales stop 1 hour before the park closes, and ticket inspections stop half an hour.
Which is better, Mutianyu Great Wall or Badaling Great Wall?
Mutianyu Great Wall: Located in Huairou District of Beijing, Mutianyu Great Wall is characterized by its well-preserved masonry and archery towers, which enable visitors to feel the history and culture of the Great Wall. In addition, the scenery of Mutianyu Great Wall is also very beautiful, with rolling hills and pleasant views.
Badaling Great Wall: Also located in Yanqing District of Beijing, Badaling Great Wall is characterized by more modernization and better facilities, with more tourist services and amenities, such as restaurants and stores. In addition, Badaling Great Wall is also a flatter Great Wall, suitable for hiking and sightseeing.
Both Mutianyu Great Wall and Badaling Great Wall are good choices, and which one to choose depends on tourists’ personal preference and travel purpose. For a more in-depth understanding of the history and culture of the Great Wall, you can choose the Mutianyu Great Wall; for more modernized tourist services and facilities, you can choose the Badaling Great Wall.
History of Mutianyu Great Wall
Mutianyu Great Wall, connected to Juyong Pass in the west and Gubeikou in the east, was initially built under the command of General Xu Da during the early Ming Dynasty.
In 1404, Mutianyu Great Wall was established as a fortified pass.
In 1983, with the approval of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, the restoration of Mutianyu Great Wall was initiated.
In 1987, Mutianyu Great Wall was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
In 2000, Mutianyu Great Wall was transformed into a scenic area following the decision of Huairou district government.
In 2006, Mutianyu Great Wall was listed by the State Council as a major historical and cultural site protected at the national level.
In 2011, Mutianyu Great Wall was rated as a 5A-level tourist scenic area by the China National Tourism Administration.
In 2014, as part of the APEC Summit supporting renovation project, the comprehensive service area of Mutianyu Great Wall was put into operation. Since its establishment, the tourist area has received more than 70 international dignitaries, including former British Prime Minister John Major, former US President Bill Clinton, former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, as well as former US First Lady Michelle Obama.
In 2016, Mutianyu Great Wall was listed in the Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Top Attractions— the top 25 most iconic landmarks.
In 2021, Muyianyu Great Wall was designated as a national-level demonstration unit for civilized tourism.
How to get to mutianyu great wall
There are three types of buses available:
1. Public Transportation:
Take bus 916 Express from Dongzhimen Bus Hub and alight at Huairou Beidajie Station.
Cross the road and transfer to bus H23, which heads towards Tiekuangyu.
Get off at Mutianyu Huan Dao Station and walk for five minutes to reach the entrance.
Pros: This option is cheap and affordable for budget-conscious travelers.
Cons: However, the journey takes over two hours and is physically demanding, especially if you have luggage or mobility issues.
2. Tourism Express Bus:
Departure location: The bus departs from Dongzhimen, but the location is difficult to find. Make sure to plan ahead and leave plenty of time to locate the bus station.
Departure and return times: There is only one daily departure at 8:30 am, so make sure to arrive early to avoid missing the bus. The return trip departs at 4:00 pm, giving you ample time to explore Mutianyu.
Ticket price: The ticket price for a one-way journey is 30 RMB, making it an affordable option for budget-conscious travelers.
Pros: It provides a direct bus from Beijing to Mutianyu, so you don’t need to change buses. This can save you time and make the journey more convenient.
Cons: As mentioned earlier, the location of the bus station is difficult to find, so make sure to plan ahead.
Additionally, there is only one departure per day, which is convenient for travelers with tight schedules.
Finally, cash payments are the only accepted method of payment, so make sure to have enough cash on hand.
3. Mu Bus Run by Mubus Company:
MuBus departs from the Swiss Apartment (Exit C of Dongsi Shitiao Station, Line 2, which is easily accessible for those living within the second ring road.
There are two scheduled departures at 8:00 am and 10:00 am, with several buses available for each departure.
The bus goes directly to the Mutianyu scenic area, taking only 1.5 hours.
MuBus uses the latest air-conditioned bus. Each passenger has their own seat, ensuring comfort and peace of mind.
In addition, a round-trip shuttle bus service within the scenic area is included in the price, saving 15 yuan per person.
Visitors can enjoy a long visiting time of five hours at Mutianyu, allowing them to make the most of their experience.
In my opinion, taking MuBus is the most comfortable and affordable way to reach Mutianyu.
To check the price or make a booking for MuBus, you can visit Viator or GetYourGuide for details.
Whether you’re traveling alone or with a friend, taking a bus is a great way to experience one of China’s most iconic landmarks without breaking the bank.
However, if you have more than three people, it’s more convenient to hire a private car rather than take the bus.