First Time to Beijing's Mutianyu Great Wall: The Complete Guide for Foreign Visitors

Mutianyu Great Wall is the longest and most stunning section of the Great Wall in China, perfect for a Mutianyu Great Wall one-day tour! No matter which season you visit, Mutianyu is well worth exploring and strolling along. Standing on the Mutianyu Great Wall, feeling the breeze and emptying your mind, is truly relaxing and refreshing. Since it’s summer, I recommend avoiding hot, sunny days. My habit, whether climbing a mountain or the Great Wall, is to set off early. This helps avoid crowds and poor lighting conditions.

Transportation: From Downtown Beijing to Mutianyu Great Wall

The most convenient and fastest way is to take the direct scenic area bus operated by the Beijing Tourist Distribution Center. The round-trip fare is only 80 RMB. It’s a legitimate state-owned service. It takes about 1.5 hours to reach near the ticket checkpoint of the scenic area. No need to transfer to a shuttle bus – this saves a lot of time and energy. The best part is you don’t have to worry about buying tickets; the staff on the bus can help purchase them all, with no hidden costs. The bus departure point is right under the Zhengyangmen Arrow Tower in Qianmen, accessible via Subway Line 2 or Line 8. You can also board at Shaoyaoju, accessible via Subway Line 10 or Line 13 – very convenient! Return buses run between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM. On the way back, you can get off at the Bird’s Nest (National Stadium) and Water Cube to visit and take photos.

Three Classic Routes for Visitors

For the majority of visitors, here are three classic route options. For more detailed instructions, you can also refer to the guide titled “3 Classic Ways to Explore Mutianyu Great Wall.” Here is a brief overview:

West Route

Features: The first choice for most visitors, because the west section of Mutianyu has the most beautiful scenery, and you can reach the highest point – “Hero Slope” (Haohan Slope).

Assistance: Cable car up + cable car down.

Route: North Ticket Checkpoint → Take the cable car up to Watchtower No. 14 → Walk to the highest point, Watchtower No. 20 → After exploring, return to Watchtower No. 14 → Take the cable car down to the end.

Details: Hike past 12 watchtowers in total; takes about 2.5 hours.

East Route

Features: The first choice for a smaller number of visitors, mainly to see the Hongguan Pass (Red Pass Tower) and experience the toboggan slide.

Assistance: Chairlift up + toboggan down.

Route: South Ticket Checkpoint → Take the chairlift up to Watchtower No. 6 → Walk to the Big Corner Tower (Dajiaolou) at No. 1 (passing by Zhengguan Pass on the way) → Return to Watchtower No. 6 → Take the toboggan down to the end.

Details: Hike past 12 watchtowers in total; takes about 2 hours.

Hiking Route (on foot)
Start from the scenic area entrance, climb up along the stone steps, and conquer the mountain path first while enjoying different scenery. This route is relatively steep and requires a certain level of physical strength and endurance. It is not recommended to take this route for ascending the Wall.

Final Tips: Remember to wear comfortable shoes and clothing. Bring a hat and gloves, and make sure to apply sun protection!

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