(This post contains affiliate links; for more information, read this privacy policy)
Visiting the Great Wall of China was the one thing I absolutely didn’t want to miss during my trip to China. While it’s definitely possible to organise your own transport to the wall, I decided to book an organised tour instead. It meant I didn’t have to worry about buses, tickets or figuring out the logistics, and honestly, I think it was the right decision.
I chose an early-morning tour of the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, and it ended up being my favourite experience in China. Leaving early also meant we arrived before the biggest crowds, which made a huge difference.
For just €10, the tour included return transport from Beijing, a bottle of water, some snacks, and an English-speaking guide. The cable car, chairlift and toboggan ride are optional extras, but everything was organised for us, making the entire day completely stress-free.
If you’re thinking about visiting the Great Wall during your trip to Beijing, here’s exactly what my experience was like and whether I think this tour is worth booking.
Quick Overview
Tour: Beijing: Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tours with Option(EN/ES/RU)
Price: Around €10 per person (but that doesn’t include the entrance to the wall section and the cable car, etc.)
Duration: Full day
Departure Times: 8 AM or 10 AM
Best For: Anyone looking for an easy way to visit the Great Wall
Why I Chose Mutianyu
There are several sections of the Great Wall that you can visit from Beijing, but Mutianyu is one of the most popular.
While the Badaling section is closer to the city, it’s also known for attracting much larger crowds. Mutianyu offers beautiful mountain scenery, restored watchtowers, and the famous toboggan ride back down the mountain.
As a solo traveller, I wanted something straightforward that didn’t involve figuring out multiple buses, tickets, and transport connections in a country where I didn’t speak the language.
Considering the tour costs around €10, booking it felt like an easy decision.
Meeting the Group in Beijing
The tour offers departures at either 8 AM or 10 AM. I chose the 8 AM option and met the group at a metro station in Beijing. The later you go, of course, the busier it will be at the wall, so I would absolutely recommend joining the earlier group.
The meeting point was easy to find, and there were already quite a few people waiting when I arrived.
One thing I noticed immediately was how many solo travellers were on the tour.
I actually ended up chatting to a few people while waiting for the bus and spent most of the day exploring the wall with them. If you’re travelling alone, this is definitely one of the easier ways to meet people in Beijing.
Once everyone arrived, we boarded the bus and set off towards Mutianyu.
The drive took just over an hour.
The Journey to the Great Wall
Our guide, Kevin, was excellent from the moment we got on the bus.
During the drive, he explained some of the history of the Great Wall, gave practical advice for the day, and had us take a photo of the map of the two routes.
This map turned out to be incredibly useful because there are actually two main routes you can explore:
- The eastern route
- The western route
Kevin explained how long each route would take and recommended starting with the eastern section before the queues for the toboggan became too long.
He also helped everyone organise the additional tickets needed for the cable cars and attractions, so there was no need to queue separately after arriving. It was 200 RBM for each route, which included the cable car, the entry, and the toboggan down (for the eastern route).
If you wanted to purchase things like commemorative medals or souvenir booklets, you could also arrange those on the bus.
Understanding the Additional Costs
The base tour only includes transport, snacks, water, and the guide.
To access the different parts of the wall, you’ll need additional tickets for the cable cars and attractions.
I chose to do both routes and paid 200 RMB per route.
Everything was organised through the guide, and most tickets were linked directly to my passport. You could pay via cash or Alipay.
This is actually very common in China. During my entire trip, many attractions used passport-based entry rather than physical tickets.
Exploring the Eastern Route
Following Kevin’s advice, we headed straight to the eastern route after arriving.
This is the section that includes the famous Mutianyu toboggan ride.
After taking the cable car up, you can explore several watchtowers and walk along a beautiful stretch of the wall while enjoying views over the surrounding mountains.
The scenery here is fantastic, but the tour guide had already warned us that the western route offers even better views, so I didn’t spend too long exploring this side.
The highlight was definitely the toboggan.
If you’ve seen videos online, it’s exactly what you’re imagining: a winding metal track that takes you all the way down the mountain.
It’s surprisingly fun, although it can be a little slow at times because people frequently brake in front of you.
Even so, it’s one of the most unique experiences you’ll find at any section of the Great Wall.
The Western Route Was My Favourite
After finishing the eastern section, we headed over to the western route.
This was easily my favourite part of the day. Again, there was a cable car to bring you up to the starting point.
The views were even more impressive, the scenery felt more dramatic, and while there were very busy parts, there were also plenty of parts that didn’t feel crowded at all.
The route gradually climbs towards Watchtower 23, which is the highest accessible point in this section.
The first part of the walk is relatively manageable, but the final stretch becomes significantly more challenging.
During my visit, Watchtower 20 was closed, so visitors had to take a short detour around it.
After that point, the climb became noticeably steeper.
The section between Watchtowers 20 and 23 was quite challenging. The other people I was with didn’t go all the way up because of all the stairs. I’m very glad I did though, because the views were amazing and so worth the climb!
Standing there and looking out across the mountains, with the Great Wall winding into the distance, was one of those travel moments that completely lives up to the hype.
Is the Mutianyu Great Wall Crowded?
Before visiting, I was worried that the Great Wall would feel packed with tourists.
I visited on a Saturday and was pleasantly surprised.
Yes, there were queues for certain attractions and popular viewpoints, but it never felt overwhelmingly crowded.
Choosing the 8 AM departure definitely helped.
By the time some of the later groups arrived, the wall became busier, but there were still plenty of moments where I could enjoy the views without large crowds around me.
Compared to what I’d expected from one of China’s most famous attractions, it felt very manageable.
Lunch and Facilities
Once you’ve finished exploring, there are several places to eat near the visitor centre.
The tour also offered an optional buffet lunch.
I didn’t book it myself, but several people from my group did and they all said it was surprisingly good.
If I visited again, I’d probably add the lunch option.
There are also plenty of souvenir shops selling magnets, postcards, Great Wall merchandise, snacks, and other typical souvenirs, where you can have a look around while waiting for the bus.
Returning to Beijing
The return journey was organised really well.
Instead of having one fixed departure time, buses left once enough passengers were ready to head back.
On the day I visited, there were three different buses operating.
The earliest left around 2:30 PM, while the final bus departed around 3:30 PM.
My bus left at roughly 3 PM and arrived back in Beijing around 5 PM due to heavier afternoon traffic.
We were dropped off at the same metro station where we had started the day.
One thing to keep in mind is that you may not necessarily return with the same people you travelled there with, since passengers are split between the different return buses.
Also read: my guide on solo female travel in Beijing!
Is This Tour Worth Booking?
Absolutely.
Could you organise the trip independently? Yes.
Would you save a huge amount of money? Probably not.
For less than €20, I had comfortable transport, an excellent guide, clear instructions, and none of the stress of figuring out logistics myself.
As a solo traveller, I also appreciated how easy it was to meet other people. If I had sorted transportation by myself, I would probably not have met any other people so easily.
The Great Wall was already one of the attractions I was most excited about before arriving in China, but Mutianyu completely exceeded my expectations.
It was definitely my highlight during this China trip.
If you’re visiting Beijing and only have time for one Great Wall excursion, this is the one I’d choose.
Where to Stay in Beijing
For the Great Wall Tour, it really doesn’t matter where in Beijing you are staying. You will meet at a metro station, and Beijing is really well connected. But it might take some time to get from one place to the other.
I stayed at Gong Hotel, from where it was super convenient to get to the starting point of the tour. It was around 3 stops away. The hotel was nice, the location was good as well, and it was quite affordable. I would stay here again if I returned to Beijing.
Don’t Forget an eSIM for China
One thing I always recommend sorting out before arriving in China is your internet connection.
Having data makes navigating Beijing, using translation apps, booking transport, and accessing maps much easier.
I used Airalo during my trip, and it worked great, and I would absolutely recommend arranging your eSIM before you arrive. Get your Airalo eSIM!
And check out my complete guide on all the apps you need in China as well as my comparison between the Airalo and Holafy eSIM in China!
Book This Mutianyu Great Wall Tour
Ready to visit one of the world’s most famous landmarks?
For me, this was easily one of the best things to do in Beijing and an experience I would recommend to anyone visiting China for the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mutianyu worth visiting?
Absolutely. The scenery is stunning, the crowds are manageable compared to some other sections of the Great Wall, and the toboggan ride adds a unique experience you won’t find everywhere.
How far is Mutianyu from Beijing?
Mutianyu is located around 70 kilometres from central Beijing. The drive usually takes between one and one and a half hours, depending on traffic.
Can you visit Mutianyu without a tour?
Yes, it’s possible to visit independently using public transport or taxis. However, many travellers choose a tour because it simplifies the logistics and often doesn’t cost much more. I’ve opted for the organised tour and it was great! I’m glad I didn’t organise transportation myself.
How much time do you need at Mutianyu?
I’d recommend allowing at least four to five hours if you want to explore both the eastern and western sections properly. Always better to have some extra time in the instead of rushing.
What should you wear at Mutianyu?
Comfortable walking shoes are essential. Some sections, particularly near Watchtower 23, are much steeper than they look in photos. And of course lots of water and some snacks as well.
And I hope this is everything that you need to know about visiting the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China with an organised day trip. Let me know if you have any questions!
And also check out my guide on solo female travel in Shanghai, if you are planning to visit Shanghai!
