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Mutianyu Great Wall: Tickets, Routes, Cable Car & Travel Tips

Written by Fabio Updated Oct. 29, 2026

Mutianyu Great Wall, connecting Juyongguan in the west and Gubeikou in the east, boasts the highest vegetation coverage among the Great Wall sections. In 1983, the restoration and development of the Mutianyu Great Wall began. In April 1988, the Mutianyu Great Wall was officially opened to visitors from both China and abroad.

Mutianyu Great Wall Map
Mutianyu Great Wall location map

Quick Facts About Mutianyu Great Wall

Is Mutianyu Great Wall Worth Visiting?

Yes! Mutianyu Great Wall is well worth visiting for its well-preserved ancient walls, beautiful mountain scenery, and convenient ways to reach the wall. Here are three reasons to add Mutianyu to your Beijing itinerary.

1. Excellent Preservation

Mutianyu is one of the best-preserved sections of the Great Wall of China. Its Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD) walls and watchtowers offer a glimpse into China's ancient military architecture, allowing visitors to appreciate the wall's historical significance and impressive construction.

2. Beautiful Natural Scenery

Beyond its historical significance, Mutianyu is surrounded by picturesque mountains and forests that change with the seasons. In spring and summer, colorful flowers and lush greenery brighten the landscape. Autumn brings vibrant red and golden foliage, while winter sometimes transforms the mountains and ancient walls into a beautiful snowy scene.

3. Convenient Ways to Reach the Wall

Mutianyu offers several ways to reach the Great Wall, including an enclosed cable car, an open chairlift, and hiking trails. The cable car or chairlift can take visitors up the mountain in about 10 minutes, depending on the route and operating conditions. For an extra thrill, visitors can ride the toboggan downhill where available. Those who prefer a more active experience can hike up the mountain and explore the wall on foot.

Enclosed Cable Car

Apart from walking, you can also take a cable car to the Great Wall. The cable car is suitable for most people, especially the elderly.

Cable Car, Mutianyu Great Wall
Cable Car, Mutianyu Great Wall

Open Chairlift

Taking the cable car is a very exciting experience, which is very suitable for young people, but it is not recommended for people with heart disease and acrophobia.

Chairlift, Mutianyu Great Wall
Chairlift, Mutianyu Great Wall

Toboggan

The Toboggan is equipped with brake devices that can control the sliding speed. Sliding from the watchtower to the foot of the Great Wall is a fast way to go down the mountain.

Note: A round-trip ticket includes riding the chairlift up the mountain and the toboggan down the mountain.

Toboggan, Mutianyu Great Wall
Toboggan, Mutianyu Great Wall

Hiking Routes on Mutianyu Great Wall

Route 1: Start from the North Entrance, take the shuttle bus or cable car to Watchtower 14, then hike to Watchtower 20, and return the same way. This route takes about 2.5 hours.

Route 2: Start from the South Entrance, hike uphill to Watchtower 6, then proceed eastward to Tower 1, passing through Zhengguantai along the way. Afterward, you can take the cable car down the mountain. This route takes 2 hours.

Route 3: Start from the South Entrance, hike uphill to Watchtower 6, then walk eastward to Watchtower 1 and backtrack through 14 towers to reach Watchtower 20. This full loop hike takes 5 hours.

Here is more about China's Great Wall hiking route.

Mutianyu Great Wall Tour Map
Mutianyu Great Wall Tour Map

What to See on the Mutianyu Great Wall?

Mutianyu Pass

Watchtower No. 4, also known as Mutianyu Pass, is one of the most distinctive landmarks along the Mutianyu Great Wall. It features three watchtowers standing side by side on a single platform, an unusual design among Great Wall fortifications.

The structure has two floors, with interconnected rooms on the ground floor. These rooms were used for storing grain and accommodating soldiers, highlighting the watchtower's important role in military defense and daily life along the Great Wall.

Mutianyu Pass
Mutianyu Pass

Outer Towers

To strengthen the defenses of the Mutianyu Great Wall, additional outer towers were built at strategically important points. These towers extend away from the main wall into the surrounding mountainous terrain while remaining connected to the main defensive structure. Rather than being built along the entire wall, outer towers were concentrated at key locations where extra protection was needed.

Beacon Tower

Only one beacon tower remains at Mutianyu Great Wall today. Visitors can admire it from the main wall, but cannot access it directly. Unlike ordinary watchtowers, the beacon tower has no doors or stairs, making it more difficult for enemies to enter. Soldiers reportedly used ropes to climb to the top, where they could watch for approaching enemies and send warning signals to nearby defenses.

Dajiaolou

Dajiaolou, or Watchtower No. 1, is a distinctive landmark at the eastern end of Mutianyu Great Wall. Its design resembles the corner tower of an ancient city wall, giving it a unique appearance from different viewing angles. Built at one of the highest points in the eastern section, Dajiaolou offers impressive views of the surrounding mountains and the winding Great Wall, making it an excellent spot for photography.

Ancient Cannons

Four ancient cannons are displayed along Mutianyu Great Wall, at Watchtowers No. 5, 9, 10, and 13. These historic weapons illustrate the military role the Great Wall played in defending China's northern frontier during the Ming Dynasty, around 500 years ago.

Jiankou to Mutianyu Great Wall Hiking

The hike from Jiankou to Mutianyu Great Wall takes 5 hours, with your hiking journey commencing at the foot of Jiankou Great Wall. At the summit of Jiankou Great Wall, there stands a nearly intact watchtower. Continuing eastward, after navigating the original rugged steps and dilapidated remnants of the wall, you will arrive at the Mutianyu Great Wall.

Embark on an unforgettable hiking journey from Jiankou to Mutianyu with our local guide, who will share fascinating insights about the Great Wall. Without a guide, this route can be quite challenging!

Can Seniors Visit Mutianyu Great Wall?

Yes, seniors and visitors with limited mobility can enjoy Mutianyu Great Wall with some advance planning. The enclosed cable car and a wheelchair-accessible route make it possible to experience the Great Wall without climbing the many steps along the main wall. However, some slopes can be steep, so visitors who use wheelchairs may need assistance from a companion.

Wheelchair-Accessible Route at Mutianyu Great Wall

The wheelchair-accessible viewing area is located on the platform below Watchtower No. 14. Here is how to reach it:

1. From the parking lot to the cable car station: The distance is approximately 600 meters. Plan for this walk or arrange assistance if needed.

2. Take the enclosed cable car: Wheelchairs can be taken onto the cable car, allowing visitors to bypass the steep climb up the mountain.

3. Continue to the viewing platform: After getting off the cable car, visitors need to navigate a steep slope of approximately 80 meters to reach the platform below Watchtower No. 14. Assistance from a companion is recommended, especially when pushing a manual wheelchair uphill.

4. Enjoy the views: From the viewing platform, visitors can admire the magnificent Great Wall and surrounding mountain scenery without climbing the steps along the main wall.

Travel tip: Visitors with mobility limitations should confirm current accessibility arrangements with the scenic area before their visit. Although this route provides access to a section of the Great Wall, it does not mean the entire wall is wheelchair-accessible. Visitors should also consider the steep slope and arrange suitable assistance in advance.

Visit Mutianyu Great Wall at Night

The night tour at Mutianyu Great Wall is only open to Watchtowers 10 to 15, among which Watchtower 15 offers particularly scenic photos. The opening hours are from 17:30 to 21:30, and the lighting-up time is at 19:00. every day. If you plan to visit the Night Great Wall, it is recommended to take the cable car up around 6:00 p.m. to also catch the sunset.

Mutianyu Great Wall in Winter

In winter, the Mutianyu Great Wall becomes incredibly beautiful, resembling a magical kingdom adorned with snow. At that time, the walls and trees alongside the Great Wall are all covered with thick snow, turning the entire place into a vast expanse of white, which looks even more magnificent.

White becomes the main color of the Mutianyu Great Wall in winter, making you feel like you have stepped into a sparkling silver fairyland. It's so enchanting that it's like you're playing in a huge palace made of crystal.

The Best Time to Visit the Mutianyu Great Wall

Visiting the Mutianyu Great Wall is best during the autumn. During this time, the Great Wall is surrounded by colorful autumn leaves, creating a particularly beautiful scenery. The weather is just right—not too hot and not too cold—making it perfect for outdoor activities.

As for the best time of day to visit the Mutianyu Great Wall, early morning or late morning would be ideal. In the early morning, there are fewer tourists, allowing you to stroll and experience the tranquility of the surroundings.

Although more visitors start to arrive in the late morning, compared to the afternoon and evening, the number of people is still relatively low. You can fully enjoy exploring and admiring the grandeur and magnificence of the Great Wall.

Mutianyu Great Wall in Autumn
Autumn is the most beautiful season for Mutianyu Great Wall

How to Get to Mutianyu Great Wall

From Beijing Downtown to Mutianyu

1. Take a Taxi: it takes 1 hour and 40 minutes to take a taxi from Tiananmen to Mutianyu Great Wall, costing CNY233.

2. Mu Bus: it takes 30 minutes and costs CNY4 to travel from Tiananmen Square, take Line 1 to get off at Jianguomen Station, transfer to Line 2, get off at Dongzhimen Station, and exit from Exit B.

Departure Time Arrival Time Return Time One-trip Ticket Round-trip Ticket
8:00 9:30 14:30 CNY40 CNY80
10:00 11:30 17:00

From Beijing South Railway Station to Mutianyu

1. Take a Taxi: it takes 1 hour and 50 minutes to take a taxi from Beijing South Railway Station to Mutianyu Great Wall, costing CNY266.

2. Subway+tourist bus: to get to Xuanwumen Station, take Line 4 from Beijing South Railway Station and transfer to Line 2 at Xuanwumen Station, then exit at Dongzhimen Station's Exit B. The entire journey takes 30 minutes and costs CNY5. After that, take the Mu Bus to the Mutianyu Great Wall.

From Beijing Capital Airport to Mutianyu

1. Take a Taxi: it takes 70 minutes to take a taxi from Capital Airport to Mutianyu Great Wall, costing CNY200.

2. Subway+tourist bus: it takes 40 minutes and costs CNY25 to take the Capital Airport Express from Capital Airport to Dongzhimen Station and exit at Exit B. After that, take the Mu Bus to Mutianyu Great Wall.

From Beijing Daxing Airport to Mutianyu

1. Take a Taxi: it takes 2 hours and 30 minutes and costs CNY500.

2. Subway+tourist bus: take the Daxing Airport Express from Daxing Airport to Caoqiao Station, transfer to Line 19 and get off at Jishuitan Station, then transfer to Line 2 and get off at Dongzhimen Station. Exit from Exit B, which will take about 1 hour and cost CNY40. After that, take the Mutianyu Bus to the Mutianyu Great Wall.

You can learn more about Beijing downtown to the Great Wall and Beijing Airport to the Great Wall.

Private Transfer

Booking a round-trip private transfer to Mutianyu with us can save you a lot of time. Our drivers can pick you up and drop you off according to your schedule, such as from the train station to your hotel or from the hotel to tourist attractions. The departure time is also flexible, as your journey begins as soon as you get in the car.

Mutianyu Great Wall Hotel

If you plan to take a night tour of the Mutianyu Great Wall, you'll need to stay overnight near the scenic area as no vehicles are returning to the city at night. In that case, I would recommend Beijing Mutianyu Great Wall Hotel as a suitable choice.

Mutianyu Great Wall Hotel is a prestigious accommodation nestled in the heart of the Mutianyu Great Wall scenic area in Beijing's Huairou District. The hotel boasts a variety of guestrooms, each featuring clean and bright interiors and equipped with internet access.

You can enjoy delicious meals at the hotel's self-service restaurant or Chinese-style private dining rooms, served by an excellent chef team.

Plan a Mutianyu Great Wall Tour

Visiting the Great Wall is a must when traveling in China, especially for outdoor enthusiasts. To ensure a pleasant and relaxing trip, we tailor your itinerary to fit your interests and budget. Here are a few options that include the Mutianyu Great Wall:

 

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