Mutianyu Great Wall - Map, Ticket Price, Cable Car, Toboggan
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.
Quick Facts About Mutianyu Great Wall
- Name in Chinese: Mù tián yù 慕田峪
- Opening Hours: 7:30-21:30
- Ticket Price: CNY40 for an adult
- Location: Huairou District, Beijing
Mutianyu Vs Badaling Great Wall
I would recommend the Mutianyu Great Wall more than the Badaling Great Wall. Mutianyu Great Wall boasts a high vegetation coverage, offering beautiful scenery throughout the year. In particular, the sight of red leaves is extremely captivating in autumn.
On the other hand, Badaling Great Wall enjoys a high reputation and attracts numerous visitors every year. With convenient transportation, visitors can take the high-speed train from Beijing directly to Badaling.
However, due to the popularity of the Badaling Great Wall, which attracts numerous tourists every day, tickets are very difficult to obtain. Even if you manage to get a ticket, you will find the Great Wall extremely crowded once you arrive, resulting in a very poor travel experience.
Read more on the comparison between Badaling and Mutianyu.
| Feature | Badaling | Mutianyu |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Yanqing District, Beijing | Huairou District, Beijing |
| Driving Time from Beijing | 1 hour 24 miunutes | 1 hour 40 minutes |
| Watchtower | 19 | 20 |
| Cable car | Yes | Yes |
| Chairlift | No | Yes |
| Toboggan | No | Yes |
| Crowded | Yes | No |
| Night Tour | Yes | Yes |
| High-speed Train | Yes | No |
| Tourist Bus | Yes | Yes |
Mutianyu Vs Juyongguan Great Wall
| Feature | Juyongguan | Mutianyu |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Miyun District, Beijing | Huairou District, Beijing |
| Driving Time From Beijing | 2 hours | 1 hour 40 minutes |
| Watchtower | 14 | 20 |
| Cable car | No | Yes |
| Chairlift | No | Yes |
| Toboggan | No | Yes |
| Crowded | Less Crowded | More Crowded |
| Night Tour | Yes | Yes |
| Recommended Visit Time | 3 hours | 4 hours |
Highlights of the Mutianyu Great Wall
Zhengguantai 正观台
It is one of the most unique landscapes at Mutianyu Great Wall, featuring three watchtowers standing together on one platform, which is quite rare among the Great Wall structures. The watchtower is divided into two floors, the ground floor is interconnected, and many rooms can be used for storing grain and stationing troops.
Dajiaolou 大脚楼
It is surrounded by the Great Wall on three sides. The west side is connected with Badaling, the east side is connected with Gubeikou, and the south side is connected with Tu Weiba Great Wall. This section of the Great Wall is only 840 meters long and is not open to the public.
Cable Car, Chairlift, and Toboggan on Mutianyu Great Wall
As the number of tourists has increased, the recreational facilities in the scenic spot have been continuously improved. Mutianyu Great Wall has cable cars, chairlifts, and toboggans. The first two can go up and down the mountain, but the third can only go down.
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.
- Route: North Ticket Entrance - watchtower 14
- Operating Hours: 7:30-17:00, Monday to Friday; 7:30-17:30, weekends
- Capacity: 6 people
- Price: CNY100 for a one-way trip, CNY140 for a round trip
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.
- Route: Between watchtower 5 and watchtower 6 - South Ticket Entrance
- Operating Hours: 8:00-17:00 during peak season; 8:30-16:30 during off-season
- Capacity: 2 people
- Price: CNY100 for a one-way trip, CNY140 for a round trip
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.
- Route: Between Tower 5 and Tower 6 - South Gate Ticket Entrance
- Operating Hours: 8:00-17:00 during peak season; 8:30-16:30 during off-season
- Capacity: 2 people
- Price: CNY100 for a one-way trip, CNY140 for a round trip
Note: A round-trip ticket includes riding the chairlift up the mountain and the toboggan down the mountain.
Hiking Route 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.
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!
Wheelchair Accessible on Mutianyu Great Wall
The wheelchair accessible at Mutianyu Great Wall is located on the platform below Watchtower 14. From the parking lot to the cable car station, it's approximately 600 meters. Upon arrival at the cable car station, wheelchairs can be directly pushed onto the cable car.
After disembarking, you will need to push the wheelchair through a steep slope; it is recommended to have a male companion assist with pushing, as it's about 80 meters. Soon after, you will reach the platform below Watchtower 14 to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Mutianyu Great Wall.
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.
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:
- 4-Day Essence of Beijing Tour (featuring an in-depth visit to the Mutianyu Great Wall)
- 1-Day Private Trip to Mutianyu Great Wall
- 1-Day Seat-in-Coach Tour to Mutianyu Great Wall
- Half-Day Mini Group Trip to Mutianyu Great Wall
- Mutianyu Layover Tour (with airport transfer)